Page 66 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
Chapter Twenty-One
Agnes was so weary of Society life.
She was tired of the balls and the soirees and the rules. She was tired of pretending as if she belonged here or even wanted to be here. Most of all she was tired of men leering at her and women glaring because of the assumptions they made about her. No one wanted to marry her, and she wanted everyone to simply leave her be.
But until such a time as her family agreed that she was no longer requited at these ordeals, she was here. Her fake courtship with Fletcher had ended, likely her entire relationship with him. The Ladies of Virtue had made no significant progress with identifying either her secret suitor or the mysterious Lady X. It had gotten so bad that she’d not even bothered to bring her specialized fan with her tonight. Though she still wore her dagger—one could never be too careful.
Perhaps that was what she needed. To spend a couple of days indulging in designing new weapons. She knew nothing so mundane would make her forget about Fletcher, his kisses, or the vacant look in his eyes when she’d walked away. When he’d let her walk away.
It had been a week and she hadn’t seen him even once. She’d tried a couple of times to inquire about his well-being from her brother, but Chris hadn’t wanted to speak of him.
“Don’t turn around. Go out onto the terrace and meet me,” Fletcher’s familiar voice came from behind her.
She sucked in a breath. Her heart sped. She should not be this thrilled at the mere sound of his voice, the thought of seeing his handsome face. She rolled her eyes and reminded herself that lust might be powerful, but it never lasted and it ultimately meant nothing. It wasn’t love. Love wasn’t real. This was only a biological manifestation of natural body urges. Without another thought she made her way out the french doors to the terrace.
It only took a couple of minutes before she saw his tall form step off into the gardens. He glanced briefly over his broad shoulders and met her gaze.
She waited a breath, then followed after him. She found him at the entrance to the hedge maze. These mazes weren’t uncommon in the country, but it was rare to find one within the city of London. But the Carrington’s, whose property bordered Hyde Park, sat on a larger piece of land and boasted glorious gardens and the maze.
Fletcher grabbed her gloved hand and pulled it into the crook of his elbow.
“Fletcher, what are you doing?” she asked.
“I needed to speak with you.”
“You could have simply asked me to dance.”
“No, we needed privacy for this discussion. Besides, I highly doubt your brother would have stood by and allowed me a dance.”
“My brother does not get to decide whom I dance with.” They walked in silence for several more minutes before he began. “Very well. Discuss.”
“We should get married,” he said, his tone as casual as if he’d suggested they purchase some turnips.
“I beg your pardon?”
“It is the best solution, Agnes. You have a potentially dangerous man out there who has decided he wants you. Not to mention all of the ‘gentlemen’ who see fit to proposition you on a regular basis.”
“That doesn’t happen all that often,” she said.
“It happens often enough, correct?”
She inclined her head. “Yes.”
“You have no other prospects,” he continued. “I believe I have proven that the intimate acts of marriage would be pleasurable for you.”
Her cheeks flamed. She did her best to ignore the rapid beat of her heart. There was no declaration of love. Not that she needed one or even wanted one. She certainly wouldn’t believe the words even if he uttered them. Still there was that small part of her, she supposed the little girl in her, that wanted desperately to believe in fairy tales, who longed to hear them.
“I know you worry about becoming like your mother,” he said.
“But how did you…”
“You are not like her, Agnes. You are nothing like her. You are pure and good. And I am prepared to offer you a life where I will endeavor to make you happy.” He gripped her shoulders until she met his gaze. “I would be faithful, you have no need to ever wonder that.”
She was quiet for a few moments while she absorbed his words. “What of my brother?”
“I do not actually require his permission. I can send notice to your father.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think that would be necessary. I have no way of knowing where my father is. Somewhere in Greece, but we never really know.”
