Page 40 of The Duke of Deceit

He circled the table to stand behind her and leaned over her shoulder to speak in a low voice so the nearby women couldn’t overhear. “But a turn about the garden fits into your plan. What better way to attack my black reputation than by letting me spend time with a wholly respectable, proper miss like you?”

“And ruin mine?” she returned in the same low tone. “Every lady here already wonders if the rumor of our engagement is true.”

“Then come with me. We’ll talk, and when we’re done walking through the garden, I’ll announce that the rumors are completely unfounded and take my leave.”

Lady Holkham was rapidly approaching.

“If you don’t,” he warned in a low voice, “then I’ll continue to press the rumor that we’re engaged until you leave me standing alone at the altar, the wounded hero undone by love.” He leaned down to confide, “I might prefer that, actually. Just think of all the women who will be lining up to heal my shattered heart.”

“You’re an absolute beast,” she ground out.

“Yes, I am, and best you remember that.” Punctuating his warning, he straightened away from her and held out his hand again. “Now take a walk with me through the garden.Please.”

He was right, drat it. He wouldn’t leave her alone without causing a scene, and any attempt she made to brush him off would only remind everyone of his rakish reputation.

“If I have no choice.” She haughtily sniffed and rose from her chair.

The blasted devil sent her a victorious smile as he put her hand on his arm and led her toward the French doors and the garden beyond—and swiftly away from Lady Holkham.

At least the day was beautiful, Jess decided, as he guided her down the terrace steps and into a garden filled with late summer flowers. The other ladies had also paired up and were strolling arm and arm along the paths winding around miniature plantations, a walled rose garden, various arbors, and a fountain in the shape of a pineapple. But even the surrounding beauty couldn’t tamp down the fury churning in her chest.

As soon as they were far enough away from the other guests not to be overheard, she snapped out, “How dare you! To have such rubbish published in that gossip rag, then show up here—”

“You left me no choice. If I’d called on you at your home two days in a row, everyone truly would believe we had an understanding. This way, we can claim it’s nothing but a spurious rumor.”

Biting sarcasm dripped from her voice. “How very gentlemanly of you.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

“So very desperate, then, are you?” She glanced up at his profile and saw his jaw tighten. “Good to know my plan to reform you is working.”

“Is that why you hired an investigator to pry into my past?”

Her heart stuttered, but she refused to be cowed. “Is that whyyouspread that rumor about us being engaged?”

“No, that was simple blackmail,” he answered and led her toward the deserted back corner of the garden, far from anyone who could overhear. “I’ll stop ruining your good reputation if you stop ruining my bad one, including calling off that dog of an investigator you’ve hired to dig up information about me.”

The accusation in his voice inexplicably stung. She hadn’t done anything out of malice. “I did it for Amanda. I need to protect my sister.”

“You need to leave me alone.”

“I can’t do that. Not until her situation is resolved.”

He stopped at the end of the path and turned to face her. “Then the war—and our engagement—continues.”

Exasperating devil! She drew her hands into tiny fists at her sides. “Everyone knows I wouldnevermarry a man like you.”

He froze for a moment, then glanced away, over her shoulder and down the meandering path toward the house. “Is the thought of being married to me really that abhorrent?”

“Yes.”

The corners of his lips curled. He knew she’d just lied to him. Blast him!

“My feelings about you have no bearing whatsoever on—”

“Under here.” He lifted the long strands of willow branches that dangled like an impenetrable curtain around the tree at the end of the path. “Quickly.” His smile turned into a grimace. “Lady Holkham is on the hunt for us.”

A glance back toward the house told her he wasn’t lying. Lady Holkham was on her way into the garden, most likely looking for Lucien. Taking pity on him—although only God knew why—Jess ducked beneath the willow’s branches, followed quickly by Lucien, who then dropped the branches into place and shut out the rest of the party.