APretenseofLove Read Online Free Page A

to join you if my mother
hasn’t made other plans for me.” She could hope either her mother or his aunt
had booked her day solid, but she had an inkling those ladies would break an
engagement with anyone lower than the Prince Regent himself if it meant she
could go riding with Mr. Tilbury.
    “Splendid. I shall leave you to your guests, then.” He
performed a slight bow and crossed to where his aunt sat.
    Although she tried not to, she watched him move gracefully
about the room speaking to everyone present, even Agnes’ bluestocking sister.
He stayed a moment longer with her than with the others, coaxing a smile, then
a laugh, from the young woman, whose cheeks blossomed and eyes brightened.
Under his attentions, she appeared much more attractive.
    Of course he had the talent of mingling. Such a skill was
necessary to succeed in business. She hadn’t seen how Mr. Tilbury got on with
others during her stay at Three Gables due to their seclusion, as they’d tried
to keep their sham betrothal a secret.
    Everyone in the room seemed taken with Mr. Tilbury. Jean
couldn’t explain the disappointment she felt at that knowledge. How much easier
it would be to keep her distance if everyone disliked him.
    * * * * *
    A few hours later, Ben called out to a boy on the street,
asking him to watch over his horses and phaeton, then trotted up the steps to
knock on Aunt Granderson’s door. He was quickly admitted by Burton, who advised
Ben the ladies were in the salon.
    “Hullo again, Aunt, Mrs. Seton. You both are looking well.”
He smiled at each woman before letting his gaze find Miss Seton.
    “Did you suppose some illness would lay us low since we saw
you last?” Aunt Granderson’s eyes twinkled.
    “I wished no such event. I merely meant you look well.”
    “Save the pleasantries for the young ladies. Our
constitutions are less able to digest too many sweet expressions in one day.”
    Using that as his invitation to address Miss Seton, he held
out his hand. “Are you ready for our drive through the park?”
    “Yes, thank you.” She picked up the shawl draped over her
chair and wrapped it around her shoulders. She walked toward the door without
taking his arm.
    Once they sat on the leather bench of the phaeton, Ben eased
his horse into the traffic. “That shade of lavender suits you. I’m pleased to
see you aren’t bowing to the strictest fashion that requires young ladies to
wear white. Too many of your fair sex are completely washed away in it.”
    Miss Seton gave a strangled cry close to that of a cat being
stepped on. “You are the most insolent…”
    He almost wished she’d continued. At times, he wondered what
she thought of him. “Because I tell you that you look more fetching in lavender
than white?”
    “No. Yes! Not only do you feel entitled to voice your
opinion on what I wear, but you imply that our betrothal was real. You know
very well I only agreed to pose as your fiancée to please Sir Waldo. No one
else was to know of the pretense. I fear you will ruin my chances of a real
marriage if you don’t leave London at once.”
    He chuckled. She’d apparently also been pretending to be
meek and obedient at Three Gables. He was delighted to see this side of her.
He’d never admit it to Ringley, but coming to London had been a wise move. “If
I were to leave at this very moment, your character would suffer a much greater
blow than my insisting we’re betrothed ever could inflict. Or did you wish me
to leave you here on the street?”
    She tugged her shawl more tightly around her. “You
understood my meaning perfectly, do not suggest otherwise. I am not suggesting
we run away together. I thought you were my friend. Why are you attempting to
spoil everything?”
    His posture relaxed slightly as the fight whispered out of
him. Did she really not want his company? That didn’t bode well, now that he
was willing to admit the truth. “It became quite apparent after you left, I am
in need of a