“I see,” she said softly, taking a delicate sip of her tea. “Firstly, I would like to point out that no one encouraged me in this folly. My family is ignorant of the matter, entirely blameless, and I would like to keep it that way.”
“Very well.”
“And to be clear…you will not reveal to anyone within society that our engagement is a farce?”
“For a price, of course,” he smoothly replied with such arrogant self-assurance, it set her teeth on edge.
It seemed he would exact his pound of flesh for her audacity. “The price of friendship,” she reiterated carefully.
“Hmm.”
“What will you require of me?” she murmured.
“We shall spend time together.” His manner was very much that of a man accustomed to command. “I’ve never had a friend of the opposite sex…or one as frightfully interesting as yourself, Miss Danvers.”
She stared at him, thinking surely that could not be it. The benefits of this arrangement were far greater for her. Why would he want to be friends with her, someone who had shamelessly used his title and connections?
Her breath hitched softly as an improbable idea caught at the edges of her thoughts.
He is lonely.
The awareness pierced her, and she stared at him helplessly.
Who are you? An inexplicable need to know what his life had been like for the past several years filled her. “How will we be friends, Your Grace? Surely you see how odd such a notion is.”
“Ah…let that be my concern.”
She wondered if now was the time to point out that they would never be kissing friends. “There will be no impropriety.” She dared to sniff derisively.
A faint glint of humor appeared in his eyes. “You’ll attend Lady Carnforth’s ball tomorrow. We’ll start from there. Then perhaps the theater. I haven’t seen the stage in years.” There was a hint of surprised yearning in his tone. “Perhaps an outing to the museum. It shall be whatever interests me, and I’ll require your company for it.”
A peculiar jolt darted through her, with an unknown sensation that disappeared too fast for her to give it name. “You’ve been away from society,” she said. “Lady Carnforth is a fearsome dragon and is known for her sarcastic wit and outrageous, cutting tongue. Her yearly summer ball is legendary among society. Only the who’s who were invited. I assure you I am not on that list despite my recent popularity.”
He made a noncommittal sound, as if thoroughly unsure of how to relate to that bit of information.
“You’ll receive an invitation.” How confident he sounded.
She realized for him to be aware of the ball, afte
r just newly returned to town, he would have gotten a belated invitation. Kitty supposed every hostess would be clamoring to have the elusive duke at their balls, literary saloons, and drawing rooms. Had he missed the elegancies of life the ton had to offer? “The ball is tomorrow. If I receive an invitation, I would attend with my sister and mamma.”
The duke smiled, which made his forbidding countenance appear very much more pleasing. It also tugged her gaze to the rope of scars marring his face. Why had he worn a mask last night but not today?
“You honor me, Miss Danvers,” he said with a smooth charm that belied the cool watchfulness of his gaze.
It was as if he wanted to court her. Preposterous, of course. They were to simply act as if they had an attachment with all the intimacies and expectations of a real engagement.
The notion was frightening and exquisite all at once. Anna’s chance of securing a well-connected match was even more possible.
But after such public outings, the end of their engagement would ruin all chances for Kitty of any respectable alliance. Society would remember for years that the Duke of Thornton had jilted her, and questions of her virtue and faults would linger in their minds. This was a deeper ruination than she’d imagined, but she was willing to pay whatever price, within respectable reason.
Kitty owned that the advantages of such an alliance would outweigh the drawbacks. If they could have a six-month engagement, that would be perfect. Perhaps even Judith could be engaged by the end of the season. In one fell swoop both her sisters could have their futures secured.
Oh, it would be worth it in every way. For when it would come time for Henrietta to have her season, Kitty’s scandal would be old, and Anna and Judith would be perfectly positioned to sponsor her.
She smiled at him tentatively.
He then said, “And your presence at my estate in Scotland for a week or two is required. Without chaperone.”