Page 32 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
Agnes paced Harriet’s bedchamber while her friend finished getting ready for the ball. Why was she so nervous? She pressed a palm to her belly in an attempt to quiet the flock of birds that had taken up residence in there.
“You are going to wear holes in my rug if you keep up that pacing,” Harriet said.
Agnes turned and faced her friend. She opened her mouth, then shut it.
Harriet’s brows rose. “What?” She looked down at her pink gown. “Does this look terrible?”
“What? No, of course not. I want to tell you something.” Agnes paused and took a measured breath. “Tonight, at the ball, it’s going to appear as if Fletcher is courting me. But he isn’t.”
Harriet’s head tilted. “That doesn’t make any sense, Agnes.”
“It actually does,” Agnes said. “Fletcher convinced me that if he pretended to court me, at least until my infernal brother returns to town, then it would deter all the unwanted advances that I get.” She never told Harriet the depth of those advances, only that men often bothered Agnes. She nearly explained about her new admirer, but with everything her friend had been dealing with in her quest to help Lord Davenport, Agnes hadn’t wanted to burden her friend.
Harriet was quiet for a few moments while she eyed Agnes. “Why do you not simply find someone to legitimately court you?”
Agnes blew out a breath. “You know how I feel about marriage, Harriet.”
Harriet nodded and chewed her lip thoughtfully. “But what of Fletcher? He’s always flirting with you, and I’ve seen the way you look at him. Why not marry him?”
“I don’t look at him in any certain way.”
“Honestly.” Harriet rolled her eyes heavenward. “Agnes, everyone sees it. He’s quite taken with you, always has been. The man can’t keep his eyes off you if you’re in the same room together.”
“Even if I did, which I maintain that I do not, Fletcher flirts with everyone.” She ignored the pang of disappointment that settled in her belly. “I’m certain that if Fletcher had any interest in legitimately courting me, he would have mentioned that during our conversation. ” She sighed. “Not only that, but he’s keenly aware of Christopher’s feelings about Fletcher and me, and evidently he has no desire to challenge that else he would have pursued me a long time ago. He must not want me too badly.” Those words seemed to grow a life of their own and cut into her. She realized with alarming clarity that having him “court” her would be incredibly difficult. She’d have to be careful to survive the ordeal with her heart intact. Well, at least she knew any pain she might endure wouldn’t be long-lasting. Once the blush of lust wore off she’d recognize that her feelings weren’t anything more than desire.
“We’ll have to agree to disagree about that,” Harriet said.
“As we do about Lord Davenport and his courtship of you?”
Harriet waved her hand dismissively. “This is not the same thing. Lord Wakefield cares about you. I can see it plainly.”
Agnes swallowed against the knot that had developed in her throat. “He’d never be faithful to me, Harriet, and you know how I feel about that.” Her voice sounded small, nearly weak to her ears and she hated that.
“I do. Still, I don’t envision you being a spinster. You should find someone who can make you happy.”
“Happiness isn’t everything.” In truth, she’d be a liar if she didn’t admit, at least to herself, that she was disappointed that Fletcher didn’t want to court her himself. He seemed incensed about the men she told him about. He’d been ready to find them and fight them on her behalf. But offering to protect her with his name? No, that was not his style. No matter how many times he jested otherwise, he wasn’t ready to be saddled with a wife. And she would not settle for a man who would not be faithful.
