Page 24 of The Pleasures of Passion

He kept smiling and told himself that this was practice for what would probably be a worse interrogation by Bree’s father tomorrow. “All parties involved in the duel agreed not to divulge the reasons.”

“The other party is dead. I hardly think he’ll object.”

“No, but I do. Perhaps we could have this discussion at another time, in a more private setting?” Where he could handle the old harpy without everyone looking on.

She dipped her head. “If you wish. ThoughIam not the one who chose to eschew the usual formalities by announcing the betrothal willy-nilly without consulting her relations.”

“Your nephew’s widow isn’t some blushing innocent,” he said in a steely voice. “And she can do as she pleases.”

“Fortunately, so can I.” When he glowered at her, she added, “Very well, we’ll continue this discussion at a later time. But I really only have one other question of significance. Do you love her?”

Oh, God. It had been one thing to advise Bree how to mislead her relations, but it was quite another to be faced with lying to them himself. The sort of spying he’d done for Fulkham hadn’t prepared him for anything this personal.

Keep to the plan. A practical arrangement, remember?“I respect her. I enjoy her company.” He met Lady Pensworth’s gaze boldly. “And I need a wife to bear my heir. She will do nicely, I think.”

There. He’d established the ruse without having to spout lies about love and rapture.

Lady Pensworth sipped her wine. “I do hope you’ve informedherof those cold-blooded reasons for marrying her.”

“Of course. And she has her own ‘cold-blooded’ reasons—she wants a father for her son and someone to help her with Camden Hall.”

“She does, does she? Odd that she hasn’t mentioned that wish tome.”

“Forgive me, Lady Pensworth, but there are things a woman will tell her fiancé that she won’t tell a relation.”

Lady Pensworth’s eyes narrowed on him. “Even a fiancé who hasn’t bothered to visit her or court her in the month he’s been back in England?”

God rot it, the woman was suspicious. But there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. “Other than your concern about Bree’s feelings, have you any other objections?”

She blinked. “Bree?”

“Sorry. Brilliana. Bree is the nickname I had for her, and now I can’t break myself of the habit of using it.”

“You gave her a nickname, eh? Interesting.” She seemed to regard him in a new light. “So, you’re marrying her to gain your heir, then.”

“And because we suit each other. Itisa good match.”

“Just not a particularly romantic one.”

“I’m not particularly romantic,” he shot back.

“Yes, butsheis.”

He couldn’t resist a cynical smile. “Are you sure about that?”

“I know Brilliana quite well,” she said frostily. “And I would hate to see—”

“There you are.” Bree took him by the arm. “Your mother and sister want us to lead out the dancing.”

“There’s dancing?” he said, startled.

“Surely you know your sister well enough to realize that any event she hosts must involve dancing ofsomekind. And now that you and I have made our announcement, she thinks it only right that there be more of a celebration. Which calls for dancing.”

He glanced back to see servants moving chairs out of the way and a young lady taking a seat behind the pianoforte. “Ah, that makes sense.”

His stomach knotted. This would be his first time dancing with Bree. In Bath they’d been unable to meet at social affairs, so no balls or assemblies.

Bad enough he would have to squire her around for weeks. Now he’d have the added torture of holding her in his arms, breathing in her scent, watching her lush curves undulate in a decided echo of the act of love itself.