Page 41 of Married to the Rake

Chapter Fifteen

“I am sorry to say, Chloe, the news of your father getting into a fight has spread far and wide,” Joanna said, taking a sip of tea.

Chloe grimaced and sat on the sofa next to Augusta. She did not even bother reaching for her cup of tea, nor any of the delicious treats that had been prepared for them. It was not just her father’s near fight that made her stomach turn, however.

No, she was very certain it was almost all Brook.

How could he propose to her like that? How could he just fling the question at her, as though it were not some great, life-changing matter? How could he declare he loved her?

The funny thing was, he had done it in such a Brook-like manner. She was beginning to understand that he always barreled through life without really stopping and worrying about the consequences of his actions. She rather liked his bravery most of the time, however, being told that one should marry out of duty was not what she wanted.

And then he had declared he loved her…

“Was it so very terrible?” Augusta asked.

Chloe shook her head. “I did fear they were going to fight physically but it is not that…” She glanced around the parlor room, flitting her gaze from the teal green wall coverings to the elegant wood fireplace and then finally back to Augusta.

Joanna narrowed her gaze at her. “It is about Brook, is it not?”

Reaching for the cup of tea, Chloe focused her attention on the tawny liquid inside for want of something else to stay. Her friends knew of her growing friendship with Brook—and Joanna had even encouraged it—but would they think her foolish for believing him, even if just for a moment? The gilded clock on the mantle place ticked by the seconds and she could feel her friends’ gazes upon her.

Finally, she lowered the cup, untouched and lifted her head. “He asked me to marry him,” she said softly.

“Marry?” Augusta spluttered and dropped her tea swiftly onto the coffee table as she choked on the sip she had been taking. Joanna stood and gave her a little tap on the back until she recovered while Chloe fished out a handkerchief and handed it over. Augusta dabbed her lips and gave an apologetic smile. “Forgive me. It is just that everyone knows Mr. Brook Waverley is not in the market for marriage.”

“Well, he was not until he got to know Chloe.” Joanna grinned.

Augusta lifted a hand. “I do not mean to disparage you, Chloe. You know I love you dearly and think any man would be lucky to have you. Which is why it is hard to imagine you with such a rake of a man.”

Chloe nodded. “You are not wrong. At least, I cannot deny that I felt the same.Stillfeel the same. Or…” She paused and frowned, dropping her face into her hands. “I do not know what I feel,” she said against her palms.

Joanna gave her a gentle rub on the back and Chloe lifted her head. She glanced sideways at her friend who had a somewhat knowing smile upon her face.

“Augusta is not wrong. He is a rake. We all know of his reputation.”

“Men change,” Augusta said, “and if anyone could change a man, it would be you Chloe.”

“What exactly were his reasons for asking?” Joanna leaned forward. “He believes your match could repair the rift between the families?”

Chloe should not be surprised by Joanna’s assumption. It was, of course, what she had assumed first.

“He did suggest that such a thing would help our families.” Chloe sat back and nibbled on the end of a thumb.

“Well, I know you would never get married simply out of duty. So what is the problem?” Joanna’s lips curved ever so slightly.

Blast, even Joanna knew the reason for the conflict. Brook declared that she loved him, but how could she? She had counselled herself against any feelings toward him at every turn while they had been together. After all, he was charming and handsome and well used to getting his way with women. It would be ridiculous to fall for such a man.

She chewed on the end of her thumb for a few moments more. “I suppose…I suppose my concern is that I might…feel something for him.”

“But does he feel something for you?” Augusta asked. “You would not wish to be married to a man who does not love you.”

“He more than feels something for me.” Chloe opened her palms. “He said that he loves me.”

Augusta clapped her hands together. “Oh, how wonderful. Well, then what is the problem?”

“Chloe does not know how she feels,” Joanna said.

Chloe pursed her lips. “Joanna is not wrong. Can I really take him at his word? What if he thought he needed to say that to sway me into marriage simply for the sakes of our fathers? After all, Mr. Waverley had a heart attack. If Brook wishes to save him strain, I would understand him wanting to do anything to help his father.”

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