Page 38 of By No Means a Gentleman
Will dragged a hand over his eyes. “Which is why I didn’t rush us to London through the night.”
“So long as you know nothing is set in stone until you are registered as man and wife. Not the betrothal agreement, not your heart.”
Will scoffed. “One day I’ll see you swallow those words.”
“Very well, very well. I will wait for that day, though I’m quite certain it will never come. As you are well aware, I’m a simple man.”
“What happened to being a complicated man?”
“I tried it on for size, but one look at all your complications, and I realized simplicity trumps complexity. As you embark on this journey to seduce your bride-to-be, you should consider doing the same.”
“A simple seduction, you mean?”
“Right. Flowers, sweet things, poetry, waltzes. Kisses in the dark, secluded corners of gardens. That sort of thing.”
“Poetry?”
“Or little love notes. It’s better than saying romantic drivel out loud.”
“You are hopeless.”
“Between the two of us, I’m not any more hopeless than you are, old chap.”
No denial on his part.
“I’ll be off then. Tomorrow we have quite the day ahead of us. Try to get some rest.”
Will nodded and waited until Calstone left the room before pulling the chair up to the bed and settling in again. He had said he’d sleep on the floor with Calstone, but since Calstone would be sleeping elsewhere, the chair would do.
Harriet wouldn’t run off tonight, but for his own piece of mind, he wanted—needed—to stay close. Her warmth beckoned him, calmed him even while exhaustion pulled at him. Every muscle in his body ached. Also, every little muscle of his heart... but it was better not to think about the discomfort there.
Chapter Seven
Harriet’s lids wereheavy as she entered Leeds’s residence the next morning at the unholy hour of ten o’clock half-asleep, half-awake. Having been coaxed,tricked, out of her warm cocoon at an even more ungodly hour—Harriet didn’t care to ask—and ushered into a carriage. At least the men had the foresight to pack the carriage with hot bricks. So, she’d merely been transferred from one toasty spot to another and had slept all the way to London.
I have no choice.
She’d awakened to hushed voices and only heard Leeds’s reply to the duke before sleep claimed her once more, those four words accompanying her back to her dreams.
He had no choice?
Why not? What exactly did he mean?
And she wouldn’t even mention the fact that the next time she had awoken, she had felt her hand clasped in his. A gentle touch, but one she couldn’t miss or mistake. She was sagely deciding to ignore that little matter. He must have been worried she would run off again. In one way, she could somewhat understand his concerns. And, as an avid opportunist, she had been intending to see if shecouldfind a moment to escape. Well, at least before they’d arrived at the inn.
I have no choice.
Again, the suspicion in her heart solidified. He needed something, and that was compelling him forward. And Harrietwas the most convenient way to get it. Theonlyway, judging from the conversation last night.
Dratted man, confusing her with his words and actions.
I shall get to the bottom of you, Leeds.
Leeds led them to the drawing room. They hadn’t spoken much to each other since last night. Even now, silence stretched between them. In fact, up to the moment the carriage drew to a halt before his house, Harriet half expected pitch black drapes and gargoyle statues to announce his lair. However, everything appeared right and proper. Warm even—and not in the hellish kind of way. She couldn’t even claim the silence had been uncomfortable. It was just... silence. The kind that didn’t need to be filled with words.
She’d told him her guarded secret—what Cromby had done—but so far he didn’t seem to be taking advantage of the knowledge. Truth be told, she didn’t really believe Leeds to be like that vile man. Cromby did sly things in the shadows. She couldn’t imagine Leeds forcing himself on an unsuspecting lady like that. No, Leeds operated in broad daylight. He might have hidden truths, but he didn’t have hateful intentions.
She glanced at Calstone, who followed them into the room. Then there wasthisman—the duke. Without experiencing their friendship firsthand, she wouldn’t have been able to believe his claims about his friend as easily as she was beginning to.
