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B elinda looked as if she couldn’t believe her ears. Piers wasn’t sure he could believe his, either, but the startled expression on his father’s face and the look of delight on his mother’s demonstrated that the words were out there in the world now—and there would be consequences.

Being gallant was a new experience for him—he could put on the charm, yes, and behave in a gentlemanly fashion. But never before had he made such an incredible sacrifice in order to save a lady’s blushes.

Members of the ton believed that an impassioned kiss between a lady and a gentleman of good breeding must, by the rules of Society, constitute a promise.

Thinking about it, the fact that his father had witnessed said kiss made it essential that he do the honorable thing toward Belinda, or he’d never hear the last of it.

Maman’s bright eyes and joyous smile meant he’d never hear the last from her, either, if he didn’t have honorable intentions toward Belinda Bellamy.

Perhaps he was making excuses, trying to convince himself he hadn’t gone completely mad.

From a purely practical point of view, news of his engagement would get the matchmaking mamas off his back.

From a less selfish angle, Belinda had a troubled past and the last thing she needed was further scandal.

Under the circumstances, giving her the protection of his name was the best thing he could do.

Piers’s father started toward him, his hand held out. “I believe congratulations are in order. Tell me, son—I hope you’re not planning to make a habit of damaging this young lady every time you meet her for a walk.”

His father’s handshake was firm, but his eyebrows were raised. Piers realized he was going to have to convince everybody in the room of his veracity, including his so-called fiancée.

He managed to catch Belinda’s eye, and when she shook her head at him, he gave her an emphatic nod, grinning like a loon. He hoped she’d remember that he’d asked her to follow his lead—even if he wasn’t quite sure where he was going with it himself.

Instead of embracing him and offering her congratulations, too, Maman went across to Belinda, took her hand, and told her how thrilled she was to welcome her into the family.

Then she leaned close to Belinda and murmured something in her ear.

It sounded like, “You’re easily the best of the ladies he’s ever shown an interest in. I’m so pleased for you both.”

Piers winced inwardly. If he and Belinda Bellamy were to convince anyone they were an item, what kind of thoughts would that remark put into her head?

It would make any genuine fiancée seriously question their position, as well as start plotting some fearsome female vengeance against him for having ever liked any “other lady.”

Fortunately, he was saved from further struggles by the prompt arrival of the doctor. Everyone made room for the gentleman, but Piers insisted on standing by Belinda’s head and gripping onto her hand, hoping thus to convey any signals that might be necessary to validate his deceit.

“Good afternoon to you—Miss Bellamy, is it? Oh—I do believe we’ve met before.”

Piers squeezed Belinda’s hand to get her attention and gave her a subtle nod.

After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Indeed. I’ve been in the area before and was certainly in need of a physician.”

The doctor stared at her, and his brow cleared. “Oh, yes! You were staying at the inn at Buckleigh, were you not? Forgive me, but I had forgotten your name.”

Piers heaved a soft sigh of relief. That was one obstacle out of the way—the doctor had not remembered that Belinda was posing as a widow with a different surname at the time.

The doctor rested his hand on Belinda’s ankle, then gazed at her again.

“I trust you have been in good health since then?” The man then blinked and smiled at her, and Piers knew in that moment that her secret was safe.

The physician did remember why he’d been called to her the previous time but knew it would be indiscreet of him to refer to it in the present company.

A good fellow! Piers would certainly call on his services again if ever they were needed.

It was ultimately decided that Belinda had sprained her ankle, and it would be advisable to bind it up with a poultice underneath the bandage for at least the next day or two.

It would do no harm for her to be moved, but he would advise her to walk on it as little as possible for the next fortnight and then to only go out with it still protected by a bandage and using a walking cane.

If the swelling went down quickly, he had no objection to her attempting to walk upon the foot soon.

Piers wasted no time in paying the doctor’s fee.

It was a relief that Belinda had done no real harm to herself, but he now had to consider what harm she might do to him for making the outrageous claim that they were to be married.

She was doing her best to retain a neutral expression, but he could tell from the agitation in her fingers that she was struggling to deal with the situation and doubtless dying to escape both himself and his family.

“I’d better return you to your cousins at Buckleigh, had I not, my dear? It’s getting dark, and they’ll be so worried.”

Not giving her time to respond, he turned to his father.

“I’m sorry to whisk my fiancée away when you’ve only just met her.

Please understand—I must return her before the innkeeper has the whole countryside out looking for her.

They’ll be missing their dog, too. May I take the pony and trap and convey Miss Bellamy home? ”

“Oh—does she have to go so soon? I could make up a bed down here on the chaise longue, and she’ll be lovely and warm, won’t you, my dear?

It seems a shame that the pair of you should have to charge out into a grim, damp evening.

And despite what the doctor said, I’m sure Miss Bellamy would feel much better if she weren’t moved immediately.

I have a splendid game pie in the larder, or I can make some chicken broth if you prefer something gentler on the stomach. ”

Of course, Maman would want to keep a future daughter-in-law under her wing and under her watchful eye, especially since she hadn’t even known that she had a future daughter-in-law until half an hour ago. Piers squeezed Belinda’s hand warningly, but there was no need.

Belinda shook her head. “Oh, no—I’ve already put you to enough trouble. And Piers is right—they really will be missing me at home, and I hate to worry them. Ordulf will be wanting his dinner and his bed. You’ve been so kind—but I really must go.”

“But you will come again.” It was a command, not a statement, and Piers gazed at his mother in surprise. Ah—he knew that face. She was the sweetest lady but sometimes a proper terrier, sinking her teeth into an idea and refusing to let go.

“I agree, absolutely,” said Papa.

“Did you not hear what the doctor said? Belinda is to rest, and bringing her here does not constitute rest. She must remain at the Buckleigh Inn until she’s been given a clean bill of health.”

“Then we’ll go and visit her at the inn—there can be no objection to that, can there, my dear Miss Bellamy?”

Belinda’s fingers bit into his hand. He realized then the extent of his folly—he might have convinced his parents of his relationship with her, but how were they to convince her cousins? And did they even want to?

There was only one solution that he could think of in the heat of the moment, and that was to get Belinda back to London as soon as humanly possible.

Only—how on earth was he to persuade her to come when he’d just turned her world upside down? She’d never forgive him.