“You must promise me, Damon. You can’t reject me when this arrangement of ours no longer suits you. Being courted and then rejected by an earl—”
“I am not an earl,” Damon interrupted.
“Not yet, but you will be. And should you show interest in me and then snub me, that would be enough to ruin my reputation.”
Damon sobered. “I’d sooner marry you. You have my word as a gentleman; the responsibility of ending our ruse will be left to you alone to execute.”
“Then I agree to your terms.”
“I promise you won’t regret this,” he said.
I could only hope that proved true. It felt dangerous and wrong to enter into this agreement but also thrilling.
Damon looked deep into my eyes, and warmth washed over me. “Check.”
My gaze flashed to the board. He had me cornered. I searched for a way to extricate myself and save the game, but there was nothing for it. I made my final move.
“Never underestimate a dark knight, Miss Kent,” Damon said, and he claimed my king.
“Ollie would have let me win.” I frowned.
“I am not Ollie.”
“As I’m well aware.”
He looked directly at me. “Winning is worth very little when not earned. You should always strive to play the game with a worthy opponent or you will have wasted your time.”
I only stared at him.
“I see you’re at a loss for words. Perhaps your mouth is too dry from gaping at Ollie all night to form words. As a gentleman, allow me to fetch you a drink.” Damon stood, and I tried not to scowl at his back as he walked to the sideboard.
“I’m sorry you had to endure him for so long.”
I flinched in my seat. I hadn’t even heard Ollie approach. “Don’t be,” I said, trying to compose myself. “Your brother is quite good at chess.”
“Yes, well. He cheats.” Ollie sat in the seat Damon had vacated.
“I don’t doubt it.”
Our conversation fell silent. And as glad as I was that he’d finally sought me out, I didn’t knowwhyhe’d sought me out. “Is there something you wanted?”
Ollie straightened his cravat. “I don’t like what’s passed between us. Can we set it aside and be friends again?”
Friends. The word brought fresh pain to my already festering wound. I reset the pieces on the chessboard for no other reason than to occupy my hands and my mind.
Not a moment too soon, Damon returned with my drink. I took the cup and checked for frogs or other creeping things before taking a sip.
Damon grinned.
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome. Now if I may be so bold, this morning you mentioned you’d like to ride the hills. Seeing as the rain has stopped, I would be honored if you would allow me to accompany you tomorrow afternoon.”
I listened for the faint sound of rain, but heard nothing. How long ago it had stopped, I hadn’t the faintest clue. “If the ground is dry enough, I would like that very much.”
Ollie leaned forward, resting his elbows on the chessboard. “I had hoped we could walk in the gardens.”
My emotions tugged at my heartstrings. I wanted desperately to stroll in the garden with him, but even more, I wanted to walk down an aisle to him one day.
