Page 61 of The Secret of Flirting
His jaw tightened. “It’s not as simple as that, damn it.”
“Isn’t it?” A wave of sadness swamped her. “We could never have a legitimate connection even if you wished it—even ifIwished it. Half of good society has met me and thinks they know who I am. To marry you, I would have to be exposed for a fraud. And that would ruin you. Not to mention that it would leave Grand-maman with no one to take care of her.”
The sound of Mr. Danworth entering the pavilion downstairs struck terror in her that only deepened when the man cried, “Princess? Fulkham?”
Gregory wasn’t the only one who could lose everything if they were found in a compromising position that might cause a scandal.
She had to fix this, since he wouldn’t. Touching a hand to her hair to make sure it was presentable enough to pass, she swept past Gregory to the stairs. “We’re up here, Mr. Danworth! You must come see.”
Gregory tensed. “What the devil are you up to?” was all he had time to growl before Mr. Danworth was hurrying up the stairs.
She met the man at the staircase. “Lady Fulkham has set out a new knot garden. It is truly a magnificent design. You probably couldn’t tell it from outside, but you can see it wonderfully from up here.”
Mr. Danworth glanced beyond her to Gregory and raised an eyebrow.
Taking his cue from her, Gregory rolled his eyes heavenward. “The princess is a bit obsessed with knot gardens. I suppose they’re a favorite in Chanay. She wouldn’t rest until she got a look at Mother’s new design from a better vantage point.”
“Ohyes,” she gushed, “and it’s wonderful.” Clasping Mr. Danworth by the arm, she tugged him over to the windows. “Look there. Do you see how the edges curl around what is marked to be a lilac bush? Lord Fulkham tells me that his mother plans to have overlapping hedges and embroidery effects and everything. I only wish I could see it once it’s completed.”
“I’m sure Mother would be happy to host you here again,” Gregory said dryly from behind her.
She ignored him to focus all her attention on Mr. Danworth, who was peering out the window incredulously, as if incapable of believing anyone cared that much about a garden.
“And look over there.” She pointed to the far corner. “That circle will be a birdbath. Imagine how lovely this garden will be once the robins and the sparrows come to preen in the sun. Not to mention the butterflies.”
“Butterflies?” Mr. Danworth asked, rather stupidly.
“Ofcoursethere will be butterflies. The painted ladies will come north in the spring and lay their eggs, which cocoon. Once their young emerge—”
“Right,” he said. “More butterflies.” Looking over at Gregory, he said, “She reallydoesenjoy gardens, doesn’t she?”
Gregory only shrugged, though his eyes glittered at her as if to say,We are not done with our discussion.
Determinedly she lifted her face to Mr. Danworth and flashed him a flirtatious smile. “Why are you here? Did you come to call us in to dinner? Or were you hoping for a private word?”
The man looked suddenly uneasy. “Er... I merely thought... that is...”
“A private word with your friend,” she added. “Lord Fulkham.”
Relief spread over Mr. Danworth’s features. “Yes. Of course. With Fulkham. Or rather...”
“Pay her no mind, Danworth,” Gregory drawled. “Her Highness likes to toy with us Englishmen.” He smiled thinly. “She thinks we are all too serious by far.”
“But notyou, Mr. Danworth,” she said, and tugged him toward the door. “Lady Fulkham says you know all the choicest bon mots. Is that true?”
Casting a nervous glance back at Gregory, he said, “I know one or two.” And with that, he proceeded to regale her with some as she let him lead her out of the pavilion, with Gregory following.
Along the way she flirted and teased, waxing philosophical about plants and insects and anything else she could think of. By the time they reached the house, she was fairly certain she had distracted him from dwelling on the impropriety of her and Gregory being alone together in the pavilion.
Now, if only she could distract herself from wishing she and Gregory had been alone a bit longer. Which was absurd. She had dodged a figurative bullet this time. Next time she might not be so lucky. And the last thing she needed was to give her virtue to a man who would end up destroying her.
It didn’t help that once they entered the house she found the count waiting for her, obviously annoyed about something.
He took her aside as soon as he could get her alone. “Now, see here, girl, Danworth is of no importance. Don’t waste your smiles onhim.”
She bristled. “Did you not see that I was also with Lord Fulkham?”
“Yes. But I gather that you avoided the duke in order to spend time with Fulkham. That isn’t a good strategy either. Pontalba was quite put out. Meanwhile, Fulkham is clearly already in your clutches. Do not slight one fellow for the other. You must charm them both if we are to succeed. And unlike Fulkham, who fanciesyou, the duke is already predisposed towardhiscandidate.”
