His ward’s sweet-orange taste remained on his tongue.
“This,” he growled dangerously as he opened his eyes to glare at his godmother, “is my ward?”
“Miss Matilda Dodd,” Lady Stapleton confirmed cheerfully. “The orphaned young lady you promised to protect and to guide.”
“I felt guided,” chirped the ward, tossing him a saucy wink.
Titus ignored her. He narrowed his eyes at his godmother instead. “Where have you been this past quarter hour? She was supposed to be under your control.”
“And I told you Matilda has proven singularly difficult to control. You said all she needed was a firm hand. Therefore, I leave you to it.”
“Wait,” he said desperately. “Don’t go.”
Lady Stapleton looked at him in amusement. “I am not going anywhere. There’s a tart-and-pie competition in the morning. You’re the one who said you weren’t staying.”
“I’m not staying,” he echoed in relief, then cast a reproving glare at Miss Dodd. “We’re not staying.”
“I don’t mind staying,” she replied, as if he had posed a question rather than issue a decree. “I rather enjoy pies. Why don’t I spend one more night with Aunt Stapleton? You and I can… resume… in the morning.”
“No,” he said coldly. “No pies, no Aunt Stapleton, and no resuming anything that has already happened. You’re to comport yourself with complete decorum and propriety at all times whilst in my custody and under my protection.”
Miss Dodd widened her eyes in faux innocence. “Complete decorum and propriety… like you have demonstrated?”
“Good heavens,” said Lady Stapleton with a chuckle, “of course you wouldn’t know, darling. The Earl of Gilbourne is synonymous with good ton. His unimpeachable comportment is part of why he’s one of the most respected and influential members of the beau monde. If anyone can take you in hand and turn you into this year’s diamond—”
“No,” said Titus. “I cannot—will not—do it.”
It wasn’t just that he’d kissed the ward he’d promised to protect from nefarious advances. He was furious to discover she was the sort of girl who was out here kissing random strangers to begin with. He was not proud to count himself amongst her conquests.
“I understand the transition will take effort on both your parts,” Lady Stapleton said gently. “Matilda has not been instructed in proper decorum the way young ladies of the ton have been molded all their lives. But you cannot hold her country upbringing against her.”
The only thing Titus wanted to hold against her was—
He tamped down the thought. No. There would be no more kissing, and certainly no lusting. He had already done far too much. As for his ward…
If Miss Dodd weren’t such a green bumpkin, she’d realize that she’d technically just been compromised by an earl. Husband-hunt over. Game won. Her ignorance was the only reason he’d emerged from the ferns unscathed and unbetrothed.
He might have dodged that bullet once, but he must take greater care from this moment onward. Titus needn’t only shelter his ward from the ungentlemanly desires of others. He’d have to protect her from himself.
“Is it true he never laughs or smiles?” Miss Dodd stage-whispered to Lady Stapleton.
Titus’s godmother sent an indulgent grin in his direction. “It’s Gilbourne’s sole character failing.”
He glared at them both in response.
“Now, Titus,” Lady Stapleton reprimanded him. “When you launch Matilda into society, she needs more than a wealthy, titled husband.”
He stared at her. “What else can she want?”
“A love match,” his godmother said firmly. “Perhaps you can finally find one for yourself, while you’re at it.”
Both he and his ward sent Lady Stapleton matching disgruntled expressions.
“I won’t marry anyone he picks out,” said Miss Dodd. “I’ll select my own husband or take none at all, thank you very much.”
“I am not now, nor will I ever be, in the market for a wife,” Titus reminded his godmother firmly. “Nor have I any wish to take part in the marriage mart, even second-hand. If you want Miss Dodd to parade about Almack’s, you must take her there yourself.”
Lady Stapleton sighed. “Would it kill you to attend a social event voluntarily for once in your life?”
