by Platt, Meara
“You weren’t?” Did he mean he was at risk of falling in love with her?
She wished he would take this matter more seriously.
“Save the supper dance for me at Lord Pottinger’s ball tonight. And the first waltz. We may as well start immediately. Let others take notice of my interest in you. It will be much more believable if your father hears of our budding romance from sources other than you. Then he won’t be suspicious when I show up as a guest at your country party, or be overly concerned if I extend my stay for a day or two. Do you think you can feign falling in love with me?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been in love before. But I have a book.”
“A book?”
Her heart gave a lurch when he smiled at her again in a seductively tender and affectionate way.
“Yes, it is called The Book of Love. An apt title, don’t you think? It’s the one my cousin, Violet gave to me shortly after she married your cousin, Romulus. It’s an old book with a faded, red leather binding. Violet thinks it will teach me about love. I haven’t read it yet.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “Fear, I think.”
“Of love?”
She fidgeted with the strings of her reticule to calm herself. “I wish to fall in love, just not with the wrong man. It’s silly, I know. But I’m worried if I read this book, I’ll fall in love with the next man to come along. What if he isn’t the one meant for me?”
“Don’t you think your heart will know?”
“How could it? I’ve never been romantically involved with anyone. How can I know if it is right?”
He cast her a thoughtful glance. “Love is a leap of faith, Miss Farthingale. What if I were to read the book with you? Would that make you feel better? We have to understand about love if our ruse is to work. Doe-eyed panic is not going to convince anyone.”
“You’re right, of course.” She gave a wincing laugh. “Do I look that frightened?”
“No, you look lovely.”
Her heart fluttered.
She’d never received a compliment from a man before, not an eligible bachelor who was handsome as sin and staring at her in that hot, I-want-to-devour-you way. She understood he meant nothing by it. And he’d tossed the compliment so casually, he had to be quite expert at flirting with guileless debutantes in their first bloom.
“Yes, Mr. Brayden. I would appreciate your help in getting through The Book of Love. When shall we start?”
“Lord Pottinger’s ball will run late. How about we start tomorrow afternoon at this same time? But not at your house or everyone will quickly realize we are faking the courtship. Not here, either. It would not be proper to have you come by my office every day.”
“There is a lecture series on Greek antiquities at the British Museum. Honey and I were planning on attending. The talks are from two o’clock to four o’clock each afternoon starting tomorrow. We could meet there to read through the book. Honey will cover for us, of course. She’ll fill me in on what I ought to have learned at the lecture. Can you get away from your office for two hours each day, Mr. Brayden?
“For you?” He nodded. “Yes. I’ll mark you down in my calendar as Appointment with Lady X.”
She laughed heartily. “It sounds tawdry.”
He grinned. “I know. My clerks will be too embarrassed to question me about it. And who else will bother to look at my calendar?”
She rose to leave. “I cannot thank you enough, Mr. Brayden.”
He rose along with her. “Close your eyes, Miss Farthingale.”
She did, and felt the feathery soft touch of his lips to hers. A brief, delicate touch. “I’ll see you at Lord Pottinger’s ball.”
She opened her eyes. “Why did you do that?”
“To seal our bargain. However, I wish you to know that you may back out of it at any time. Don’t ever think you are trapped and must follow through with our pretense if it feels uncomfortable. We’ll come up with another solution, if we must.”
She nodded.
Would it be impolite to kiss him back?
The Scent of Love coming soon – please subscribe to www.dragonbladepublishing.com for updates
Also by Meara Platt
FARTHINGALE SERIES
My Fair Lily
The Duke I’m Going To Marry
Rules For Reforming A Rake
A Midsummer’s Kiss
The Viscount’s Rose
Earl Of Hearts
If You Wished For Me
Never Dare A Duke
Capturing The Heart Of A Cameron
THE BOOK OF LOVE SERIES
The Look of Love
The Touch of Love
The Taste of Love
The Song of Love
The Scent of Love
The Kiss of Love
THE BRAYDENS
A Match Made In Duty
Earl of Westcliff
Fortune’s Dragon
Earl of Kinross
Pearls of Fire
DARK GARDENS SERIES
Garden of Shadows
Garden of Light
Garden of Dragons
Garden of Destiny
De WOLFE “ANGELS” SERIES
Nobody’s Angel
Kiss An Angel
Bhrodi’s Angel
About the Author
Meara Platt is a USA Today bestselling author and an award winning, Amazon UK All-star. Her favorite place in all the world is England’s Lake District, which may not come as a surprise since many of her stories are set in that idyllic landscape, including her award winning paranormal romance Dark Gardens series. If you’d like to learn more about the ancient Fae prophecy that is about to unfold in the Dark Gardens series, as well as Meara’s lighthearted, international bestselling Regency romances in the Farthingale series, Book of Love series, and the Braydens series, please visit Meara’s website at www.mearaplatt.com.