His gaze lifted, and he found himself not only holding her hand, but staring into her eyes—those remarkable, arresting, beautiful gray eyes of hers that he now saw held a hint of violet.
Her brow lifted expectantly, and he realized he’d been holding her hand a few ticks of time too long.
He released it and cleared his throat, his sense of purpose returning. “In three days, the Duchess of Haver is hosting a musicale.”
Lady Beatrix nodded. “I received an invitation along with everyone else who is summering in Town. You’re invited, too?”
“Surprised?”
“The thing is,” she began, and Dev knew he was in for another of her little insights. “If you’re being invited to the musicales of duchesses, I don’t understand why you need me.”
“Oh, you’re very necessary to my purposes, Lady Beatrix.”
“And it’s at the musicale that we will create our little sensation?”
“Yes.”
She stood, signaling the end of tea. “Then I believe our arrangement is ready to proceed.” She hesitated. “Friend.”
A smile curved Dev’s mouth as he came to his feet. Lady Beatrix had a sense of humor. He couldn’t help wondering how many people knew that about her? Fewer than a handful, he suspected. He was seeing a side of her she didn’t easily reveal.
And he knew it to be as fragile as a robin’s egg.
Perhaps they would end up becoming actual friends.
“Lead the way,friend.” He followed her to the front door. Once outside, he donned his hat and said, “I’ll see you three days hence.”
She hesitated the split of a second, a flash of uncertainty passing behind her eyes. Then she nodded and closed the door.
In that split of a second, she’d reconsidered.
Then reconsidered again—and let their arrangement stand.
As his feet hit the cobblestones of Little Stanhope Street, Dev understood something. He was one step closer to his goal. No doors would be closed to him with Lady Beatrix St. Vincent as his future bride. Thetonwould have no choice but to take notice.
And so, too, would Imogen.
Oh, Imogen would notice.
The next three days would be crucial, for there he felt on shaky ground. Lady Beatrix could easily reverse course. He must find a way to bind her to their arrangement.
As quickly as the problem presented itself, so did the solution.
Of course.
It had been before his eyes the entire time.
It wouldn’t be through threats of exposure or verbal acrobatics or bullying that he would bind her to him.
How did one attract a Bea?
With honey.
Or chocolate, as the case happened to be.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THREE DAYS LATER
