Page 20 of Almost A Scoundrel

No.

No kissing.

Absolutely no kissing.

And no beds. He would remove those words from his vocabulary. As a matter of fact, from this moment, a new rule would enter into force—no kissing Lady Phaedra Sharp. Period.

Kissing complicated matters. Complications led to curiosity. Curiosity led to questions. Questions demanded answers. He could not afford for her, or theton, to snoop into his life. Too much was at stake...

In any case, a fake courtship could serve another unique purpose. It would provide the perfect opportunity for him to remain close while the wagers ran their course without her questioning his continued proximity.

With any luck, they would find an agreeable way to deal with those wagers, and this wretched guilt he’d been saddled with since Warrick lost the list last night would be put to bed.

“Surely I’m not asking for too much?” Challenge dripped from a syrupy tone.

He inwardly snorted. She could not phrase it as a plea either.Infuriating, lovely woman.

“Very well, I will help you.”

Her eyes brightened. “You will?”

“I will.” As long as he kept his private life separate from their fake courtship. Deerhurst could do that. Hopefully, he would not regret this decision.

The force of her smile knocked the breath from his lungs. Radiant. Infectious. And for a second, Deerhurst wondered what madness he had succumbed to for him to agree to her proposal. The woman addled his logic.

“Excellent!”

“Do not get too excited.” Deerhurst waited until her eyes lifted to meet his before he said, “A fake courtship might have the opposite effect of what you hope.”

She nodded. “You mean there is a chance your attention will attractmoresuitors to my door? That’s fine. A courtship is a perfectly agreeable excuse to turn them away.”

Speaking of which... “It will fall on to you to manage your family’s expectations. I have no intention of becoming leg shackled because of this agreement.”

“Do not be such a pessimist,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I shall handle my family as long as you do your part. Besides, my mother will be granted a pardon from fortune-probing callers as well.”

Deerhurst inclined his head.

“Shall we seal the deal?” She stuck out her hand.

His gaze flicked to her palm then back to her. “Should we not first establish some rules?”

A delicate brow rose. “Such as?”

“No midnight visits to my garden.”

She shrugged. “I hadn’t planned on any continued visits.”

“What about you? Do you have any boundaries you wish to set for our fake courtship?”

She shook her head. “So long as we manage to fool those rogues into submission, all is good. Anything else?”

“Not to find ourselves in any situation that might causefaketo transform intoreal.”

“Naturally,” she said with a smile. “Do you believe me some seductress trying to trapyou?” She laughed. “I suppose I couldn’t blame you if you did. After all, I ventured into your territory first. Whatever terms you set, I will abide by them.” She stuck out her hand again. “Shall we?”

Deerhurst nodded. He grasped her fingers between his and guided her hand to his mouth, placing a small kiss on the inside of her wrist. Her gasp brought him all measures of delight.

“Consider it sealed.”