Page 82 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
“We’ll have to resume the lessons later, Meg.” He glanced at his sister and she nodded.
A moment later she left the ballroom and Bella stepped out of Rhys’s arms.
“Is it bad news?” he asked, his voice lowered in concern. “Are your parents all right?”
“Yes, thank you. Papa is busy packing books, but Mama is a different story.” Bella considered her next words. How she might phrase her request. In what manner she might convince him. Then all that faded and she blurted, “We have to set a date for the wedding.”
She watched emotions shift on his face—from shock to confusion to something else. He drew in a breath and looked almost eager.
“You’re not suggesting that we actually—”
“Oh, not at all. I’m not asking to change the terms of our arrangement. This isn’t about what happened at the seaside.” She was talking fast and took a breath. “We only need to tell her a date, and I think that may satisfy her enough for them to depart. She wants something to look forward to, to plan toward.”
“Then what do you suggest?” His voice had gone chilly, and she knew there was more he wished to say.
“Next spring or even the summer?”
“Do you have a date in mind?”
Bella was relieved that he was agreeing to this extra step, but he sounded angry and some part of her understood. They’d set the terms of this arrangement and now she was changing them again. He had his own life to get on with.
“I know this deception is inconvenient, but it’s only for a little bit longer.”
“Shall I go with you to tell your mother?”
“There’s no need. Now that we agree, it’s just a matter of telling them. Mama will be pleased. I’m sure of it. Thank you.”
There was more she wished to say. They hadn’t truly spoken since they’d parted after their trip to Margate. The problem was Bella wasn’t sure what to say, or even precisely what she felt.
“You’re welcome.” He didn’t look entirely pleased but he tried for a grin. “Would you like to travel to London with us? Meg says you will have received an invitation for dinner at the Tremaynes.”
“I did.” What she hadn’t decided was whether to accept. Though now, with the letter from Mr. Peabody in hand, she had even more reason to visit London.
“We should be seen together.” He approached until they were almost toe to toe. So close, the heat of his body was pure temptation. “Isn’t that what you said when we agreed on this arrangement?”
This arrangement. That’s all it was. A ruse that would soon come to an end.
The past few days had been difficult for her too. Concentrating on anything but the memory of their lovemaking had proven impossible. And that was exactly why it needed to end soon. She couldn’t go back to being the girl who thought of nothing but Rhys Forester. She was more than a fawning lovesick girl now.
“Bella, I hope you don’t wish we had not—”
“I don’t. I told you. That moment was my choice, and I regret nothing.”
He winced and she bit her lip, knowing she wasn’t being clear.
She hadn’t meant to hurt him by using the words of his motto. For those hours in Margate she’d chosen to embrace every word.
“What happened at the seaside has nothing to do with our arrangement. I know how to keep them separate.”
When he said no more, she turned and made her way out. She needed to speak to her mother. But as she stepped across the threshold, she heard Rhys’s voice.
Softly, as if to himself, he said, “I don’t know if I do.”
Chapter Nineteen
“I don’t know why I should be surprised.” Nick Tremayne swirled golden whiskey in his tumbler as he assessed Rhys.
“I’m thrilled if I have surprised you,” Rhys quipped. “I suspect you could use someone overturning your expectations once in a while.”
