Page 7 of Entertaining the Earl (Vows in Vauxhall Gardens #2)

“L ord Bourne?” she said in a breathless whisper, and he blinked and forced himself to focus on what he had wanted to ask her.

He cleared his throat. “I wonder…if we might act as though we have formed an attachment.”

Her mouth formed an “o”, but she did not say a word.

“I do not wish to marry this Season, but that does not seem to be filtering through to the ladies of the ton .”

“So you wish to…pretend?”

“If we let people believe we have an…understanding, then I believe I will be left alone. When the time comes to dissolve it, you can of course break things off with me, and there will be nothing to tarnish your reputation.”

They both watched the Cascade for several moments, until Colin realized he was still holding onto her arm and abruptly let go. That would certainly get people talking. Although, he supposed, if they were to pretend to be planning to wed, that was what they wanted.

“And what would I get from this arrangement?” she suddenly asked.

Colin paused. He had only really thought of it as being to his benefit, which was unfair of him—but he was sure she would find it useful, too.

“It will keep your parents from pushing you to attend functions and dance with every man there.”

*

She had not realized that he had noticed how little interest she had in the events her parents wanted her to attend—but clearly he was more observant than she had given him credit for.

“And then you could read to your heart’s content.”

Very observant indeed.

“My parents wish for me to marry. If I am seen with you…then my prospects, as meager as they are, will surely diminish further.”

Colin shook his head. “No, I do not believe that is true. Men are always, for better or worse, more interested when someone appears out of reach—so you may find that you have more suitors, not fewer.” He paused for a moment, and then added, “And I shall furnish your library with any book you wish for.”

Susannah could not help but be intrigued by the proposition. She had never had an understanding with any young man, but she had seen enough of society to believe she could pretend well enough.

And while she had no great desire to marry, it was her parents’ greatest wish—and so, if pretending to have an attachment to the handsome Lord Bourne would help with that…

she supposed it would do no harm. If it meant she could be left alone to read, well, that would certainly make the Season more enjoyable.

She could afford to purchase any book she wished, but the earl’s offer was a thoughtful one.

She thought he very well might be able to procure books she could not otherwise find.

“It would only be for the Season,” Lord Bourne insisted when she still did not answer. “For once it is over, I plan to return to my estate in Kent and focus on ensuring everything is in order for quite some time.”

Would she be able to convincingly pretend that a man like Lord Bourne could possibly be interested in her? Would society believe it? And could she manage to speak sensibly with him when, for some reason, one look from him seemed to make her heart race and her thoughts turn to mush?

“I’m not sure how believable it would be,” she eventually managed to say.

Lord Bourne frowned. “You think I cannot act sufficiently to persuade the ton ?”

Susannah laughed, because it was a ridiculous notion that it would be because of him that people did not believe the lie.

“It is not that, my lord. They will look at you, and they will look at me, and they will think something does not add up. They will not believe a man…like you…would show an interest in a plain girl like me.”

She spoke the words calmly and factually, for they were something she had long since accepted. But it still hurt—just a little—to be forced to admit it, especially to such a handsome and kind man.

His eyes softened, and she looked away, feeling as though she might get lost in their blue depths. Just a look from him gave her that tugging sensation in the pit of her stomach that she did not understand but which she was sure could only lead to trouble.

“I am simply realistic,” she murmured, although she did not know whether he heard her or if her words were lost to the sound of the Cascade in its final moments of the evening.

“Well, I disagree, but I will not argue with you. If that is your only argument against it, I think we should proceed.”

No other argument came to mind, and so she found herself saying, as the Cascade finished for another evening, “Very well. We can try…”

The earl beamed. “Excellent. Then please allow me to escort you to the dance floor.”

She felt like all eyes were on her as he led her onto the dance floor, but once the music began, she focused on him alone. The way he moved, the way he smiled, the way a blond curl sometimes fell in front of his face, causing him to run a hand through his hair to push it back.

She didn’t need to pretend to be attracted to him, that was for certain. She just hoped people could believe that he was attracted to her…