Page 14 of Must Love Dukes
“Dire, indeed, Miss Bell. Wait, who is Epcot?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Am I your second choice as rescuer, Miss Bell?” Buxton sounded put out.
“Your ego will survive. And I didn’t know you would be here.”
Buxton raised a brow.
“Wait, how do you know about Todson’s intentions?”
“Oh, Lavinia.” He nodded back in the other girl’s directions. “She’s an unending source of information. I would guess most of the house party is aware of Todson’s intent towards you.”
Muriel halted, struggling to keep the composed look of adoration on her features. “If you knew as much,” she said under her breath, “why didn’t you…swoop in and save me?”
“I don’t swoop, Miss Bell. Now, tell me of your scheme.”
He was really quite infuriating. Entirely arrogant. “I need you to pretend great interest in me for the duration of the house party.” Her brows drew together. “You do not have to profess great love or…even mention a more permanent relationship. No talk of a betrothal. I merely need you to pretend, for a time, that you are taken with me. Enough to dissuade Todson and convince my parents you are a viable candidate to be my husband. This will also put off the young ladies chasing you about because they will assume your affections are secured. You can enjoy the party in peace.”
“Entirely brazen. So, I am to pretend affection for you. Allow you to dangle off my arm and such?”
“Yes.” Muriel nodded. “I would ask you to do nothing improper.”
“That’s a pity.”
“Good grief, Buxton.” Muriel gritted her teeth. “You proclaimed, rather dramatically, I might add, that you areconstantly being hunted like some poor fox during a hunt. Don’t you want enjoy Savorton’s hospitality without a hoard of young ladies popping out at you?”
“You’ve popped out at me.” He gave her a roguish look. “I’m dramatic?”
“Entirely. Please, Buxton. We don’t know each other, but…I feel as if we are kindred spirits of a sort, both avoiding marriage for our own reasons. And I—may have led Lord and Lady Allred to believe that I have another suitor, one who has secured my affections. The groundwork has been laid. Just play your part. Todson wants to leave this house party with a betrothal. I would prefer it not be to me.”
“Hmm. And after?”
“I’ll ensure that your reputation isn’t damaged in any way. I’m considered…eccentric. No one will blame you for a change of heart. I’ll keep up the pretense until I return to London, at which point I will wait for you to call, and when you don’t, I’ll…” Muriel paused, chewing her lip. “Burst into a fit of ears. Declare you’ve sent me a note, that you’ve decided our brief attachment is at an end. I’ll be heartbroken, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Unable to contemplate another gentleman. I’ll be so devastated, I won’t even go out the remainder of the Season. And in return.” She lifted her chin to him. “I will be your shield at this house party. Keep your other admirers away,” she whispered. “I’ll float about and…drop thinly veiled hints of a romantic nature, enough so that they believe we couldpossiblybe courting.”
Buxton nodded slowly, regarding her with an odd look. “A fine plan, Miss Bell. So I need only pretend?”
“Yes. I assure you that I’ve no ulterior motive. I don’t wish to wed you or anyone else. I promise. I only want to study my art. Go to Florence. Avoid becoming Lady Todson. He’s rather awful.Converse with him for a quarter hour and you’ll see.” Muriel took a deep breath. “Please, Buxton. I really don’t want to wed him.Please.”
They were mere steps away from her parents and Todson.
“Very well, I agree. But I have two conditions.”
“Anything.” Muriel felt a surge of hope.
“First, you must paint a portrait of me during the house party. Doing so will add to the ruse and give us an excuse to be in each other’s company. You must use appropriate vegetables, fruit or whatever else, but no fishhooks. You will incorporate…radishes in some manner.”
“Radishes?”
“My favorite.”
“It would be my honor.” And her pleasure to paint Buxton, though she still thought of him as an oak tree in autumn. Muriel had promised her parents that she wouldn’t paint during the house party, but Buxton’s request could hardly be refused. “What is the second condition?”
“A kiss.”
