Page 43 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
He was too close. She could see the darker flecks of lapis blue in his eyes and the dusting of blond stubble along his jaw that glinted in the morning light.
This wouldn’t do. She hadn’t come to assess his masculine appeal. This was supposed to be a sensible agreement.
“My parents are familiar with you.” The words tumbled out unbidden, as if her mind had dredged them up to save her from making an utter fool of herself.
“They are, and I admire them both. But what will they think of me after such a deception?”
“It’s a very temporary fib. And for their own good. They needn’t ever know it wasn’t a real engagement, only that we changed our minds.” The truth was that lying to her parents made Bella queasy. But this was necessary. There was no other way. “They worry ceaselessly about my happiness. They wish to see me settled.”
Mention of her parents seemed to unnerve him. He nodded and ran a hand over his chin. A muscle in his jaw began to tick. “They dote on you.”
“And expect a great deal of me.”
He smiled at her again, but not with his usual wolfish charm. This grin was softer. Almost tender. “You’ve never had trouble living up to their expectations.”
“My mother would disagree.” Bella’s mother had probably written a dozen poems about how her only daughter had disappointed her. “My four unsuccessful Seasons are glaring proof of how I’ve failed them.”
“Knowing your own mind isn’t failure.”
No one had ever put it that way. No one had ever framed her refusals in a way that made her seem admirable for making the decision that resonated as the right one, the only one, in her heart and mind.
“Maybe I’m just stubborn,” she confessed.
“You’ve always been stubborn, Arry. But I admire you for wishing to wait and choose wisely.” He took another step closer, his gaze fixed on hers. “Which is why I would be the worst choice you could possibly make.”
“It need only be—” Panic rushed up. He had to agree.
“Even temporarily.” He ducked his head, but she sensed there was more he wished to say. “My reputation is well-earned and that will affect how others think of you.”
“I don’t care.” A worse reputation than being icy and unfeeling? More dire rumors than that she was frigid and incapable of love? None of that frightened her.
“I do. It’s bad enough that my past choices may affect Meg. I won’t let them impact you.”
Bella stepped away from him and headed for the desk where the estate ledgers were piled. Whatever the problem was he wished her to solve, going through the books could take several days. If the mismanagement had begun earlier, the search could take weeks.
She moved the foil from atop the ledgers and opened one. “We will need to spend time together anyway.I’m willing to help you. If you wish to help me, this is the best way. I promise you that.”
There had been a time when they’d asked each other for favors and assistance without a second thought. That was long ago, and they’d changed in the years they’d been apart. But Bella trusted that he could see the necessity of what she was asking.
He lifted a hand and squeezed his nape, staring out the window as if contemplating.
Bella willed him to nod or smile or give him some sign of agreement.
A knock sounded at the study door, and he turned immediately, as if eager for a distraction from giving her an answer.
The moment he twisted the latch, Meg bounded into the room.
“Miss Prescott, what a lovely surprise.” She exuded eagerness like a sweet fragrance that filled the room. Bella found herself smiling despite the tension lingering between her and Rhys.
“You must call me Bella as you once did.”
Meg placed a hand on Bella’s arm. “I’d very much like that. And thank you, Bella, for agreeing to assist me with preparations for the Season. We spent time at finishing school speaking of the day when we’d be presented at court, but doing so seems an entirely different challenge.”
“There is much to consider.” Bella winced at the memory of her coming-out Season. So many gownsand fittings and decisions to be made. So much hope and a mountain of expectations.
“You have a great deal of experience, so I trust you to guide me.” Her smiled faltered as soon as the words were out. “Oh, I didn’t mean...”
“It’s all right. Nothing you said is incorrect. I’ve had four Seasons, attended more balls than I can count, and was in London recently enough to remember what’s in fashion.”
