Page 58 of Holly & Folly

Protection.

A name.

She wanted them both.

But they were so much less than craved.

“I was in earnest when I told you I have no intention of marrying, my lord.”

“The word is out, Nell,” he said. “I do not know who besides Fowell is aware of what happened, but I cannot protect you or your reputation if you will not let me.”

A wry smile curled her lips. “What reputation?”

His mouth parted, his eyes darting between hers. “And what of mine? Am I a scoundrel who ruins women without a second thought?”

“Did you not assure me that you were skilled enough to strike the balance between flirtation and serious intention?” She smiled more evenly. “As a wealthy, titled man who has made it clear he does not intend to marry, I do not think your reputation will suffer much. And I assure you that I will, as we agreed, take pains to show everyone that I expected nothing from you.”

Lord Dalmeer was quiet.

She wished she could divine his thoughts.

Did he feel relief, as he should? Perhaps Miss Orston had come to mind. She was not a dull, wealthy woman with an impeccable pedigree, as he had feared. She was beautiful, well-bred, engaging, and part of his aristocratic world. They would be in love by Epiphany.

He would live to be grateful for Nell’s refusal.

“I thank you—truly—for your concern for my well-being,” she said. “It speaks to your character, my lord. But I pray you will believe me when I say that your offer is neither necessary nor expected. However, I think it is in our best interests if we are seen to spend less time together. I trust the message you wished to convey to your mother has been received, and you may rest easy knowing you have more than fulfilled the terms of our agreement where I am concerned.” She reinforced her smile.

He did not return it. Nor did he speak.

There was a knock on the door.

It seemed to jar him from his thoughts, and a look of concern entered his eyes.

“It is only Millie,” Nell reassured him, going to the door. “She has come to walk with me to breakfast.” She opened it, eager to put an end to the conversation before she could go back on her decision and beg the earl not only to marry her but to love her as she loved him.

“Good morning, Ne—” Miss Hollis’s gaze landed upon the earl. “Oh…I am sorry. I⁠—”

“It is quite all right.” Nell kept her tone bright and nonchalant. “Have you breakfasted, Lord Dalmeer?”

“Yes,” he said, his posture shifting to its usual confidence. “That is…I am not hungry. I have business I must attend to. Good morning, Miss Hollis.” He smiled at her.

He had been so serious during his conversation with Nell, but all traces of that were gone now.

It confirmed, however painfully, her decision.

Lord Dalmeer was a man meant to laugh and charm. Since their kiss, every time he had looked at her, the twinkling in his eyes had been absent.

“I shall leave you.” He gave a quick bow, then left the room.

The impulse to crumple into a heap on the floor flooded Nell, but she refused to acknowledge it.

Millie came inside and shut the door quickly, her eyes wide. “Elinor Prescott! Are you engaged to the Earl of Dalmeer? Tell me this instant!”

Nell’s eyes burned, and she turned away on the pretense of fetching her reticule. “Do not be ridiculous.”

“Is it ridiculous? I think it a very natural assumption after finding a man in my friend’s bedchamber…in the morning.”

Nell’s cheeks flamed. “He arrived a few minutes before you, Millie, and we were discussing putting an end to our arrangement. That is all.” She was finally master enough of herself to face her friend.