Page 10 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
Desperation flew into Harriet’s eyes. “Please, no. Can you pretend you’ve never seen the dratted letter and go about your life?”
“No.”
“Why not?” Harriet pressed, “You shouldn’t have read it at all. If you dare tell Ben, I’ll only say you’re lying.”
Amused, Daniel asked, “And what motive would I have to do so? I just met you; why would I lie? And I still have the letter, My Dear. I couldn’t have possibly forged your hand in such a short time. Lastly, Ben knows me; I never lie.”
She pouted, “How long do I have to decide?”
“Do you realize that this is our second dance?” Daniel replied. “If I dance with you again, it will be taken that we are engaged. I think you have until tonight to decide.”
Her glare was even more amusing than her posturing, “This is not amusing.”
“On the contrary, it is,” Daniel said, then lost his smile. “Listen, there are no absolutes in courtship; at any time, we can call it off, and after you’ve learned all I can give you, you’ll go along your life without blemish, and I’ll go about mine.”
Palpable relief was shown in Harriet’s eyes. “It will be a pretend courtship?”
“Mostof it will be for pretend,” Daniel amended.
Harriet’s plump lips pressed, and her arresting blue eyes were dimming with thought. Finally, she looked up, “I’ll agree.”
The way she said it, gave Daniel the impression that she had conditions with her agreement.
“But?” he pressed.
“I need you to forget about the letter,” Harriet said, “Do not utter a word about to anyone.”
He had not planned to say anything about it, even if she had not asked, “Is that all?”
She looked unsure, “Have you courted before?”
He stiffened as undue grievous memories darted him through his mind, and the emotions boiled over into his voice, “Have you ever been courted before?”
Harriet’s head snapped back, alarmed at Daniel’s sudden snap, but her head canted to the side, and after a long silent minute, calmly said, “No, I have not.”
Appreciative that Harriet had not pressed the matter of his unfortunate engagement, one that haunted him for years, Daniel softened his tone. “I want to amend our arrangement; I’ll do all this for you…if you don’t ask around about me. I’ll answer any questions you have, but don’t get it from rumors.”
His request was repaid with a small smile, “I’d never do that.”
“People will come to you and try to tell you all sorts of things,” Daniel said, as his mind swiftly plotted the next few steps ahead. “It will be inevitable when they know about our courtship, but do not listen, I ask of you. Half of it will be lies, and the other, blatant rumors.”
He knew by saying so, that he might be piquing her curiosity to go and dig for information, but he wanted it all to come from him. The dance ended, and as Harriet nodded in agreement, Daniel stepped away and bowed, taking her gloved hand with him.
Keeping her eyes on his, Daniel kissed the back of her hand. He knew his gesture was not going to be missed—which was precisely why he did it.
Tongues will get wagging.
As he straightened, Daniel offered his arm, and a rosy-faced Harriet took it. Walking her back to her preening Aunt, Daniel bowed again. “Have a good night, Miss Bradford.”
“You as well, My Lord,” Harriet replied, more calmly than he had expected while curtsying. He realized that she was one to get flustered at first, but quickly grew her control over her reaction.
With an additional farewell to her aunt, Daniel went to find Ben and speak to him. He was sure Ben was going to dig into the inappropriate action he had taken by being alone with his sister, but this time—Daniel had a surprise for him as well.
He found Ben at the refreshment table, and took a drink, “Join me at a balcony. I want to talk with you.”
“As do I,” Ben said, lifting his glass.
The balcony was snow frosted, and though they stayed as close to the room behind them as possible. Ben stuck a hand into the pocket of his trousers and sipped his drink, “Care to tell me what truly passed between you and my sister?”
