Page 24 of Season of the Scoundrel
“But what of our Penrose investigation?”
“Ourinvestigation now, is it?” He lowered his voice as they approached the study.
“We are betrothed, aren’t we?” she whispered. “And you seem to have Penrose’s trust.”
“I wouldn’t say his trust,” Blackbourne whispered back, bending so he spoke near her ear. “He’s interested in my funds.”
When she looked up at him, he tucked her arm a bit closer to his side.
“We should remain in London,” Ivy insisted. “At least until we can learn a bit more.”
He worked his jaw as he stared at her. “When will they expect you to return to Derbyshire?”
“In a fortnight.” Ivy laid her other hand on his arm too. “But you could convince Griffin to let me stay behind. I’ll have the whole staff at Edgerton House as chaperones, and I’ll vow to bring Nell along whenever I go out.”
“Let’s get through this first.” With those words, he lifted his hand and rapped at the door of Griffin’s study.
To Ivy’s surprise, Lily opened the door, her gaze full of hope as she took in their linked arms.
“Come join us,” she said and then stood back so that they could enter the spacious, book-lined room.
At that moment, Ivy changed her mind. She couldn’t lie to her sister.
Griffin stood up from a settee at the far end of the room, though when he noticed how close Ivy stood to Blackbourne, he looked more confused than hopeful.
Blackbourne and Griffin exchanged the slightest of nods.
“We have an announcement,” Ivy said. “Blackbourne and I have agreed to say we’ll marry. A false engagement.”
She should have warned Blackbourne.
He shifted, his body tensing, as if she’d stunned him by confessing to them, but Lily knew Ivy better than anyone. She’d know something was amiss, and Lily could never keep the truth from Griffin. It was best to tell them at the start and swear them to secrecy.
Lily’s brows shot up to her hairline. Griffin’s frown deepened.
“A false engagement?” Griffin grumbled. “What nonsense is this, Blackbourne? Is my sister-in-law not worthy of atrueengagement?”
“She is entirely worthy,” Blackbourne immediately replied. “But a true engagement is not what she desires.”
Griffin scoffed, looked questioningly at Ivy and then at Lily.
“I think it makes a good deal of sense, my dear,” Lily said.
“Lily—” Griffin blurted.
“They’ve come to this decision together,” she said softly, “and it would forestall any further whispers.”
Griffin flicked his suit coat back and braced his hands on his hips. “So we’re to become a group of conspirators?”
“To throw off the scent of gossipmongers? Absolutely.” She took a step closer to Lily and Griffin. “Neither of you may believe us, but we did nothing that should merit such drastic measures.” Ivy fixed on Griffin as she said the last bit. “But with this decision, we may control what’s said about us.”
“And you have no wish to find a duchess, Blackbourne?” Griffin put to him.
The two men peered at each other a moment in some strange ducal standoff.
“Of course I do. And I shall. But quashing rumors that may tarnish Miss Bridewell’s reputation, or mine, matters most for the time being.”
Griffin seemed to realize he was outnumbered. “Very well. I suppose we get his printed in the papers posthaste.”
