He turned to her. “Are you saying you accept every offer you receive?”
She plunked down on a child-sized settee. “I must, or I would not dance at all.” She hadn’t meant to say that, but he would find out who she was when they returned to the ballroom anyway.
“That I find that difficult to believe. I assumed you were in the garden to avoid an unwanted suitor.”
“That’s true, but unfortunately, unwanted suitors are the only sort I’ve been able to attract, which is why my father is attempting rid himself of my presence by paying a large sum to whoever is willing take me.”
He dropped down beside her, his hip pressed against hers on the tiny piece of furniture. A tiny thrill shot through her.
“Your situation is the opposite of mine. Through no fault of my own, I have quite unexpectedly inherited a viscountcy along with the guardianship of two small girls. So I find myself in need of a wife.”
She froze. “Are you in need of a large dowry from her as well?”
“Not particularly. My cousin managed his affairs well.”
Darn. She thought perhaps she could entice him with her new dowry, but it was just her luck that the only man she had ever been attracted to wasn’t in need of a wealthy wife. “I’m afraid I don’t understand the problem. You are free to offer for any woman you want. Where is the difficulty?”
“I am not from this world.” He waved his hand about the cottage. “I wasn’t raised among nobility like you were and am not certain of my ability to choose a wife from among them that I will be pleased to live with for the rest of my life. It’s a daunting task when you aren’t familiar with the players.”
An idea popped into her head. It was a wonderful idea. No, it was an awful idea. She couldn’t. And yet, they might be able to help one another, and she would get to spend more time with him before she was eventually forced to marry some dolt pushed on her by her father.
“I think we might be of service to one another.”
He raised a brow and waited.
“If we were to agree to a temporary betrothal, I could utilize my knowledge of the ton to help you find a proper wife, and it would give me a temporary reprieve from my father’s demands.”
“Don’t you think we ought to introduce ourselves before we discuss an agreement of this nature? What if I turn out to be the worst sort of rake or scoundrel?”
“Unlike you, I trust my instincts. I am certain you are not.”
“Strangely, when it comes to you, I feel certain of your integrity as well.”
A twitter of excitement swept through her. “Do we have an agreement, then?”
“What are the terms?”
“You will call on my father tomorrow to ask for my hand, and once you have found a suitable bride, I will cry off and allow you to pursue her. Ideally, I would prefer we remain attached until the current parliamentary session ends.”
He raised that brow again. “Because?”
“If we break off our engagement then, my father will be forced to allow me to accompany the family to Gilmanton and I will have respite.”
“Gilmanton?” he squeaked.
“Is there something wrong?” He wasn’t going to back out on her now, was he?
“It’s just that your father doesn’t have the reputation of being the most accommodating of men.”
Papa had certainly made a name for himself if her mysterious savior had already learned of his reputation. “I cannot deny that, but it is no matter. He told me he did not particularly care who I marry as long as I was gone before the family retires to our country estate for the summer. He will not withhold his permission.”
“Somehow that doesn’t bolster my confidence.”
She stood and frowned down upon him. “Are we in agreement or not?”
Following a long exhale, he said, “Yes.”
“Excellent.” Triumph swept through her and she bit back a grin. “In that case, I think we must introduce ourselves. I am Lady Madalene Parish, the eldest daughter of the highly vaunted Earl of Gilmanton.”
After a few moments of silence, she tapped her foot several times, but he did not pick up on her hint. “Are you going to tell me who you are?”
“Oh, yes. I forgot.” He stood. “I am Duncan Newfield, the newly minted Viscount Alstead.” He bowed and kissed her hand.
“I am pleased to meet you, my lord.” She curtseyed and grinned stupidly at him for a second before she came to her senses. “I must return to the ballroom before my mother sends a search party to locate me. You might end up permanently stuck with me if we are caught.” She found that thought to be oddly comforting. Duncan, however, looked a bit ill.
She turned to leave, then stopped. “I would like to have a proper dance with you if you are so inclined. That way Papa won’t be so suspicious when you come to ask for my hand tomorrow. Give me about five minutes before you follow.” Her orders issued, she turned and left the cottage, quite pleased with herself.
Chapter Five
There was no way Duncan would allow his Helena to make her own way back to the ballroom. For all he knew, she was under a love potion that might wear off at any moment. Though the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream had not given Helena the love potion, his Helena must have received it or she would never have propositioned him. However, he would give her time to get ahead of him so they wouldn’t be caught together. He had to make sure she didn’t stumble upon someone already engaged in an assignation, or worse, some drunken lord who tried to take advantage of her. Regardless of her assurances, he was certain she must be much in demand on the marriage mart.
Following that thought, he took off after her, relieved to find her outlined by the moon about a hundred meters ahead. He had to be mad to have agreed to her ludicrous scheme, but she was the first person he had met since arriving in London that he wished to spend more time with. He couldn’t help but think that he may have just jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. Though Lady Madalene was quickly becoming one of his favorite people, her father was altogether different. He was just the sort of man who made him want to retreat to his country estate and remain there forever.
What in the world? His soon-to-be false bride had stopped to snuggle up against a tree. Her lips moved as if she were whispering, then she hurried carefully up to the staircase and nonchalantly climbed it as if she had never left the security of the balcony.
Taking note of her confident demeanor and stride, he attempted to emulate her as he followed her into the ballroom. Since he could not term it a request, he had to say that she had ordered him to dance with her. That would require him to seek out an introduction. He wiped his damp palms on his breeches. Who did he know who was acquainted with Lady Gilmanton? This was just the reason he found society so confounding.
Ah, there was one of his men, the second son of an earl and captain to his major. After surviving a bullet to his thigh, his family had ordered him home, so he had not had the pleasure of participating in the final battle either. Since Duncan trusted him with his life, surely he could be counted on to help with a simple introduction.
“Colebrook, are you by chance acquainted with Lady Gilmanton?”
“Of course, my lord.” He bowed. “Are you in need of an introduction?”
Duncan nodded. “I am.”
“May I ask why?”
Duncan narrowed his eyes. “So I can dance with Lady Madalene, of course.”
Colebrook raised his brows. “I hadn’t realized your coffers were empty.”
“They’re not.”
“Then why would you…” He clamped his lips together.
“Why would I what?”
He waved him off. “It is no matter.”
Never knowing him to mince words, Duncan wondered at his hesitation. He clamped his hand around Colebrook’s upper arm to get his attention, then led him to a sec
luded alcove. “Explain yourself. Now.”
As expected, Colebrook responded to his command. “It’s nothing, really. She’s just not known as a diamond of the first water.”
“Is that your only reservation? What aren’t you telling me?”
“Are you acquainted with her father?”
“Unfortunately, yes. He is active in parliament.”
“Then there are no other surprises. Her father is at best unpleasant to deal with, but if you are pleased with the lady then it is no matter.”
Duncan stared at him. Since Colebrook didn’t flinch, he was satisfied that he had all of the pertinent information about Madalene and her family. He followed him across the ballroom.
Colebrook sidled up to a woman he presumed to be Lady Gilmanton. Madalene’s presence at her side cemented his presumption. Duncan nearly spoke to her before he remembered that he wasn’t supposed to know her.
“Lady Gilmanton, how lovely to see you again. May I present Lord Alstead?”
“My lady.” Duncan bowed over her hand. From the corner of his eye, he caught Madalene elbowing her mother.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Alstead. May I present my eldest daughter, Lady Madalene?”
Duncan bowed over Madalene’s hand, finding it difficult not to laugh at the absurdity of their situation. He had kissed her, for heaven’s sake. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard much about your beauty.”
Her eyes widened in warning, which he ignored.
“If you are not otherwise engaged, would you care to dance?” A look of surprise flitted across Lady Gilmanton’s face. He did not understand why Madalene was treated as an outcast, even by her own family. He saw nothing displeasing about her appearance or her behavior.
“I would be delighted, my lord.”
They settled on the dance floor and waited for the next set to begin. He could not discern whether she was excited or nervous. He was both. Wanting to soothe her nerves, he ran his thumb across her gloved knuckles.
“Once I entered the ballroom, I realized I would have to secure an introduction to your mother before I could ask you to dance. Luckily I found one of my men who was already acquainted with your family.”
“One of your men?” She glanced at Colebrook and understanding dawned on her face. “You were a soldier and had to return home to assume your title.”
He nodded, not wishing to speak about it. “I sold my commission when my cousin passed away.”
The music finally began and he led her in another waltz. He was content to remain silent, but she, apparently, was not.
“You must call on my father tomorrow. Do not delay.”
He raised a brow.
“I saw him speaking with Lord Piermont. I will run away before I will consent to marry any of his sons.”
Duncan bit back a smile. “Very well. Barring any unforeseen circumstances – such as being tied down by a tribe of extremely small people – I shall call upon him tomorrow.”
She grinned. “Thank you, my lord.”
He wanted to pull her closer, to feel her heart beat against him, but of course he could not. Instead he hummed along with the music, noting the delighted look on her face. Perhaps he had finally done something right.
As the end of the dance neared, he turned to study Madalene’s profile, surprised to find that tomorrow afternoon seemed like a long time to be away from her. Her attention was elsewhere.
“Who are we watching?” he asked.
“Everyone,” she answered without so much as a glance his way.
“That’s rather ambitious.”
“If you don’t mind, I am attempting to create a list of prospects for you.” She looked around and lowered her voice. “Once we are properly betrothed, we can go through the list together and narrow your options.”
He was equal parts terrified and dismayed. Terrified that he might be betrothed in less than a day, and dismayed that she was already plotting to marry him off to another woman. And both of those thoughts were horrifying. Things had been much more comfortable when it had been just the two of them in the garden.
Chapter Six
Though it was not a small distance to Mayfair and Gilmanton House from his rented lodgings, Duncan decided to go on foot. His cousin had sold his property in town in favor of investing in improvements to Alstead Manor, and he could not fault his decision. Nor did he regret his hasty arrangement with Lady Madalene to enter into a false engagement. It bought them both much needed time to assess their situations and study the landscape before taking permanent action. However, the closer he got to his destination, the more he wanted a stiff shot of whisky. Gilmanton was legendary for his disagreeableness, though Duncan had certainly dealt with his fair share of difficult men during the war. He would persevere.
After straightening his cravat for the hundredth time, he approached the front door, which opened before he could raise his hand to knock. Perfect. The butler had seen him hesitate on the threshold. At least he could beat him to the greeting.
“Good afternoon.” He handed the man his card. “I would like to request an audience with Lord Gilmanton.”
He studied Duncan’s card before responding. “Very good, my lord. I shall ascertain whether he is at home to callers. Please follow me.”
The butler led him to a small drawing room devoid of other occupants. Duncan presumed the ladies of the house were either out, or he had been deemed suspicious. It could be either. There was barely time to glance about the room before the butler’s footsteps sounded outside the door.
“His lordship will see you now.”
This was it. Surely Lord Gilmanton could not be more intimidating than his daughter. On the balance, he was more afraid of Madalene than he was of her father.
The butler led him into a large study and left, shutting the door behind him. Gilmanton rose and came around to the front of his desk to greet him.
“Lord Alstead. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I understand that you have recently come into your title.”
Duncan nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“And you were in the army prior to that?”
“Yes, my lord. I sold my commission when my cousin died.”
Gilmanton gestured toward a stiff wooden chair and circled behind his desk. “What can I do for you today?”
The feral gleam in his eyes was disconcerting. “I have come to ask your permission to marry your daughter.”
Gilmanton jerked his head back, nearly popping up off of his seat before schooling his features. “Which daughter?”
“Lady Madalene.” To Duncan’s knowledge, none of her other sisters were out yet, so the man had to know to whom he was referring.
“How did you come to be acquainted with my daughter?”
The man employed less finesse than a battlefield surgeon. “I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Duke and Duchess of Milton’s Midsummer Night’s Ball.”
“Was that not last night?”
“Yes, my lord. It might seem a bit hasty, but once I find something I want, I go after it.”
His eyes narrowed. “And my spinster daughter is something that you want?”
Labeling Madalene a spinster seemed premature. “Well, someone, I guess I should say in this instance. Yes, my lord.”
Gilmanton stared at him for over a minute, which Duncan knew with certainty since the ticking clock was the only sound in the room. Neither man moved during that time. Then Gilmanton nodded once.
“Very well, I give you leave to make an offer for my daughter. If she is amenable to the arrangement, you may return to discuss the settlements.” He stood and strode to the door, then stopped with his hand resting on the handle.
“Are you aware that your newly inherited estate shares a short border with Gilmanton Place?” He glanced over his shoulder, likely to
gauge Duncan’s reaction.
“No, my lord. I was not aware. What a happy coincidence for Lady Madalene to remain so close to her family.”
“Yes, of course.”
And yet, Duncan would not classify his lordship’s tone as happy. Protective feelings for Madalene rose in his heart. How dare her father care so little for her welfare.
He exited, glad that Gilmanton did not attempt to see him out.
“My lord.” The butler bowed yet again.
“I would like to see Lady Madalene if she is available.”
“Lady Madalene is not home at present, but she asked that you return later this afternoon should you wish to call on her.”
“I believe I will do just that. Thank you.” He took his hat from the butler and began the long walk to his lodgings.
Madalene glanced out the window for the hundredth time. Where was he? Mama had insisted on taking her shopping earlier, and though Papa had told them that he had given Duncan permission to marry her, she would not believe it until she could speak with him herself. Perhaps Papa had been awful to him and scared him away. But that didn’t make sense. Papa had specifically stated that he didn’t much care who she married, and Duncan was certainly eons ahead of her other suitors.
“Darling, move away from the window.” Mama pointed to the settee. “He will come, and in the meantime, we must be prepared to receive other callers. Who knows, perhaps you will get more than one offer of marriage.”
Madalene nearly snorted as she sat and picked up her book. Mama refused to believe the evidence before her. Madalene was a confirmed spinster and was lucky to have even one offer. Of course, her parents would never know that she had orchestrated her own engagement. So she was back to having no real offers.
She pretended to read Gulliver’s Travels while waiting for the sound of the front door opening. As she searched for the page where the Lilliputians were first introduced, images of Duncan from the previous evening darted through her mind.
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