“Well done,” Elias said. His deep voice echoed with genuine admiration and approval.
Celia caught herself smiling at him, so she hurried to turn away.
Elias leaned close enough to whisper, “Too late, my lioness. I saw that smile.” His warm breath tickled her ear in a most disturbing way.
“A proper gentleman would not comment on such, Lord Raines.”
“I neither wish to be proper nor a gentleman in your company.” He slid his hand under hers and brought it to his mouth for a kiss. “For the sake of your reputation, however, I shall endeavor to do both.”
She swallowed hard and pulled her hand away. Even through her glove, the warmth of his mouth made her yearn for another private moment with him in the library. “Polite Society demands that a gentleman not kiss a woman’s hand unless he knows her very well.”
“I am working on that part.” His lazy smile sent a renewed surge of heat through her.
“On what part?”
His deep, rumbling laugh vibrated through her. “Knowing youverywell.”
“My hearing is impeccable, Lord Raines,” the duchess warned with a dark look.
Elias straightened and sat taller. “Forgive me, Your Grace, but please know I only possess the best of intentions when it comes to the charming Miss Bening. I would do nothing to cause her distress or ruin.”
“That is good to know, my lord.” The duchess’s scrutiny of him hardened as she spoke. “I shall haunt you if you cause her heartache or unhappiness. Is that quite clear?”
“As the purest water.” He slightly bowed his head, then pressed a hand to his chest. “I gave you my oath earlier, Your Grace. I intend to see it through.”
“It is very rude to speak around a person as if they are not present.” Celia edged as far from Elias as the padded seat of the carriage allowed. She popped open her parasol and held it out to her mother. “You are facing the sun, Your Grace.”
Her mother laughed and waved it away. “I like the sun on my face and no longer have the need to worry about receiving a freckle or two. Shade yourself, dear girl.” She wiggled in the seat like a child excited about the outing. “Your carriage gives a most pleasant ride, Lord Raines. Good fortune smiled upon us by crossing our paths today.”
“And what do you think, Miss Bening?” He quirked a brow at Celia, devilment in his smile.
“I think I am glad we have arrived.” Celia waved at the carriage pulling up behind them as they slowed to a stop. “And Frannie and Sophie have too.” She couldn’t resist sending a teasing glance Elias’s way. “Are you quite sure you are ready to accompany four ladies shopping?”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He rubbed his hands together, then jumped out of the carriage and helped the dowager duchess step down.
Celia’s traitorous heart beat faster as he turned back and helped her. “Thank you, Lord Raines,” she said, then reluctantly removed her hand from his.
He tipped his head her way, then offered his arm to the dowager. “Your Grace?”
“It has been an age since I have walked on the arm of such a handsome young rake,” Duchess Thea teased.
A crashing wave of relief, disappointment, and perhaps a bit of envy threatened to drown Celia as she fell in step behind them. Frannie and Sophie caught up with her and took their places on either side, both assuming appropriately crestfallen expressions for their earlier abandonment of her.
“You needed to spend time with him,” Sophie whispered.
“In whose opinion?” Celia struggled to hold the fake smile that made her cheeks ache.
“Our mothers.” Frannie cut a quick nod at the duchess. “And Her Grace.”
“This is utterly ridiculous.” Celia slowed her steps so they could fall back and carry on a normal conversation. “A match with Lord Raines is impossible—for the safety of all of us. Our mothers should understand that.”
“According to Maman, they all believe that once you inherit the trust, you can allow the sixth Duke of Hasterton to fade from existence and enjoy areallife of your own for a change.” Sophie’s dubious shrug conveyed her opinion that such a plan would fail.
Celia agreed. It would never work. “Since we are clients of the persistent Lord Raines, I doubt mybrotherwill be allowed to so easily return to the land of imagination from whence he came.” She shook her head. “Ever since he took over for Master Hodgely, Lord Raines has attempted to contact my fictitious twin at least a dozen times. The man is relentless.”
“And dashing,” Frannie said in a wistful tone. “You can’t deny that you are attracted to him.”
“And he appearsvery muchattracted to you,” Sophie said.
