Page 10 of Hot and Bothered in July
The nobleman’s mouth gaped open, but he continued to bob his head until Mr. Carrington released him. Once he was free, he quickly stumbled out of sight.
When he was gone, Mr. Carrington turned to her, concern on his features. “Did he hurt you?”
“No.” She crossed her arms. “But I was about to injurehimif you had not interceded. I had things well in hand.”
He stared at her for a full minute and then started to laugh. “Unbelievable. This istwicethat I have come to your aid and you seem incapable of offering any sort of gratitude.”
“That is because I did not ask for your help.Eithertime,” she added firmly. She clenched her fists and started to move away, intent on escaping his insufferable presence. However, she soon found herself trapped against the same wall Lord Baltimore had just vacated as Mr. Carrington’s handsome face filled her vision. “And yet,” he said coolly. “You would be in a rather precarious position right now. Would it kill you to express any sort of thanks?”
She glared at him. “I do not know who you think I am, Mr. Carrington, but it is not some wilting female unable to lift a finger to help herself. I do not know the sort of women you are used to dealing with, but there is more substance to a lady than embroidery and watercolors.” She huffed a breath. “But it seems I cannot seem to convince anyone of that fact but myself as no one bothers to listen to the contrary.”
He hesitated, some of his annoyance visibly dissipating. “If you think that I do not understand certain prejudices, my lady, then you would be entirely wrong about me. Just as you do not care for the stigma that you are the weaker sex, I have always been known as one of the blue boys, an orphan, a charity case with nothing to recommend my actions than those of a worthless scoundrel or ne’er-do-well. How can I know anything of import when I did not have experienced tutors waiting on my every call? In actuality, I am more intelligent than some of the bumbling idiots that throw their money at me hoping to increase their investments.” He sneered. “I am sure you will consider that an arrogant boast, but it is simply a statement of fact.”
If there was one thing that Sariah could appreciate in a gentleman, it was a willingness to possess a backbone. It was a quality that seemed to be in short supply among the men she had known. Most were so eager to please a lady that they were willing to endure ridicule and embarrassment. She took a deep breath, finding it difficult to draw a full intake of air with him so close. “I appreciate your candor, Mr. Carrington, and I am sorry if I did not empathize with your situation. It appears we have both misjudged one another.”
His gaze pierced her. “Yes, well, the Brazen Belle has managed to place doubts in many heads in this fair city, it would seem.”
“She is only writing what most of us are thinking,” Sariah said in the author’s defense. “I realize now that many will believe I have been compromised because of my actions, no matter how it may have seemed at the time. Rumor and gossip will spread until the truth is nothing more than a distant memory and the fabrication will become easier and more enticing to believe.”
“Indeed.” He sighed. “It seems there is only one way to save both of us from the current predicament we currently face. As you say, society is a fickle mistress. Before the implications damage you beyond repair, and my business starts to falter, we must end this debacle.”
She lifted a brow. “And how do you suggest we do that, Mr. Carrington? Shall we write an article to counter the Belle? I believe we will not have the same success as she is quite popular.”
“No. I am not suggesting anything so complicated.” His focus roamed over her face. “The answer is truly quite simple. I think we should embark on a fake betrothal.”
Chapter Five
Miss Kent’sdark eyes widened. She looked just as surprised as Reed felt. Had those words actually come out of his mouth? It was not a suggestion that he had planned on offering, but there were multiple factors that caused it to spill forth. Not only had it angered him to see that miscreant, Lord Baltimore, advancing on her, but it was her candor, the easy way she understood his history without judgment that had made the decision. Not many people of higher standing had been able to look past his background, and yet, she did not hesitate to have an open mind about people who were socially beneath her.
While Reed had never been the sort of man who fell prey to just a pretty face, as there were plenty of women who fit that description, he had always enjoyed ladies with a strong personality—a woman who challenged others, rather than pleasing the general populace. Sariah was the perfect example of that. She was a baron’s daughter, expected to behave a certain way, her every movement scrutinized, and yet, she had not allowed the risks to overcome her determination to live life on her own terms. He respected that greatly. That very approach must be taken in order for things to ever change in England.
He fully intended to allow her to release him from their agreement once the August rake was announced—because if the Belle was anything, it was predictable—he had no doubt the buzz surrounding them would eventually be forgotten with the next victim on the list.
At least, that was the plan.
Miss Kent cleared her throat. “I do agree that is sound reasoning, Mr. Carrington, but I am not sure it is an idea that my father would support. My parents have grand ideas of me marrying a man with a title.”
“I did not say we should keep the truth hidden,” Reed returned evenly. He did not want to be injured by her words, but he had long known of his shortcomings. Making a name for himself and amassing wealth had certainly increased his respectability with some, but he was still a commoner and worked for a wage, which most considered beneath their regard. “I fully believe he should be aware of the intentions behind the ruse.”
“Hmm.” She tapped a finger on her lips and Reed was temporarily distracted by the action.He had told himself to pay little attention to her tempting mouth until that point, but now he could not seem to look away. “In that aspect, you do make a very fair point. Perhaps after the theatre…”
He lost whatever else she might have said, as lewd imaginings of the two of them started to flow through his mind. He did not want them to be there, but the fantasy of her naked limbs intertwined with his was not something he could easily dismiss.
“Mr. Carrington?”
Reed blinked. “What?”
She tilted her head to the side, glancing at him strangely. “Do you not agree that it would be best to approach my father this evening after the performance?”
“Er… yes. Indeed.” He nodded, feeling more foolish than he had since the days he was in short pants. At least then naivety could be to blame. Now it was simply an overwhelming desire that swirled in his cock. From the moment he’d spied this woman in pink from across the Pond, it had been difficult to recall any other woman before her. It was scary to think what sort of hold she had over him already when they barely knew one another. He was well aware that attraction was a dangerous devil in disguise, the kind that tempted one beyond all reason. He just had to remind himself not to be drawn in too deep to that swirling pool of disaster, because experience had taught him that it never ended well, especially for someone in his situation. One false move and her father could damage his business reputation beyond repair. Rather than engage with the few prospects Reed had been introduced to that evening, the baron could ensure he never sold another ship contract in London ever again.
As the baron and his wife returned to the box, Reed quickly moved away from Miss Kent to ensure they kept a respectable distance. All through the rest of the opera he kept asking himself if the proposal he’d suggested was the only solution, but since he knew that Miss Kent had succumbed to the idea, he knew he could not go back on his word now. He would speak with her father as they had discussed, but not tonight. He would return in the morning when he wasn’t feeling so tempted by his bride.
Once the curtains were drawn on the stage, Reed stood up with the rest of the family. He uttered a few murmured words to the baron, carefully avoiding Miss Kent’s gaze before he took his leave.
He clenched his fists on the way out of the theatre, telling himself that he had acted out of self-preservation and nothing more. There was no cowardice present. He simply had more important matters that needed his current focus. And in order toget back on track, he needed some time alone at his lodgings to dissect a plan for the coming weeks.
Weeks.His steps nearly faltered on the sidewalk as he hailed down a hackney to return him to the Albany. It would not be days he would be forced to remain in Miss Kent’s charming, independent company, but weeks. It was early July and the Belle would not mention another gentleman in her column until the following month.
