Page 11 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

“It means we are not too far away from success,” he explained, his words carefully chosen to reassure both Miss Young and himself. “But I’m afraid we have to make more of an effort for that to truly happen. We cannot disagree all the time.”

“Then you should make reasonable requests.”

“I did concede that this is our first outing together,” he gently reminded her.

Miss Young gave him an amused look. “It must have been quite the sacrifice?”

“Oh, I cannot begin to tell you what it cost me, my dear,” he declared dramatically, and she laughed, drawing the attention of the matrons they walked past. Excellent.

“I am willing to put forth all necessary effort, My Lord,” she said, lowering her voice significantly.

“We should establish some rules to help with those efforts then,” he suggested. “For a start, we need to get to know each other better.”

“I cannot be taken by surprise if I am asked about your family,” she said, her gaze steady on his.

“Nor I. We will not bicker in public, or counter each other’s statements when in company.” They stopped beneath a tree, and he turned to face her, measuring her reaction.

Again, she agreed, her posture relaxed yet attentive. It was as if she understood the gravity of their arrangement and was ready to adhere to whatever guidelines were necessary to make it work.

“And finally, love is out of the question,” he said, the words feeling heavier than he’d anticipated. “Both as a conversation topic, and a possibility between us.”

Miss Young swallowed, and she appeared nervous for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Most definitely.” She was not happy with this particular rule, he could tell. However, he was not surprised. Most debutantes held notions of love. “That leaves us with deciding on our second event,” she said, sounding more composed.

“Are you fond of the opera?” Theodore heard himself ask before he could finish contemplating the idea. It was a rarity for him, especially in matters requiring careful planning and consideration.

Miss Young’ eyes rounded and brightened, and she clapped her hands. “Oh, I’m positively obsessed!” He never imagined her capable of such enthusiasm, much less see her exhibit it with such unguarded joy.

A small smile came over his face. The sight of her happiness, so pure and unrestrained, was unexpectedly pleasing.

He decided to invite Preston and his wife to chaperone them, certain Miss Young would love having her friend with her. Theodore could not understand why, but he wanted to keep that smile on her face. Her excitement was just as appealing as her defiance, he thought to himself.

CHAPTER 6

Agnes grinned at Frances and Emma as Gillingham helped her from the carriage in front of the Royal Opera House. After revealing that the Duke of Preston was his old friend, they had invited him and Frances. Of course, they could not leave Emma behind.

They walked inside and took their seats in the box reserved for the Marquess of Gillingham. Soon the lights dimmed, and Agnes leaned forward, all her attention on the performance.

“Oh, how splendid!” she sighed as the first act concluded, and the cast retreated backstage. It was a love story, and the beginning was already sad and filled with longing.

“Should I offer you a handkerchief?” Gillingham teased. Frances, Preston, and Emma were engaged in a different conversation, and Agnes felt Gillingham’s closeness. Her cheeks warmed.

“Why do you think I need one?” she whispered.

“You appear to have been moved by the performance,” he added.

“Oh, only one in possession of a heart of stone would fail to be moved by this,” Agnes retorted with a playful roll of her eyes. Her words were light, yet they carried the depth of her emotions.

“Are you saying I have a heart of stone, Agnes?” he asked, leaning closer, his gaze never leaving hers as he waited for her response. She thought her name sounded beautiful on his tongue, but she could not allow him to know that.

“I do not recall giving you leave to use my Christian name, My Lord.”

“Oh?” he feigned surprise. “I thought it was one of the terms of our courtship, Miss Young.”

“Do not stop now,” she chuckled.

“You may call me Theodore,” he said.

“No Theo?” she teased.

---