Pleased with the obvious perfection of his answer to the problem, he drank some more coffee and waited for Amity and Penny to display the appropriate delight and appreciation of the scheme.
Amity stared at him as if he had just declared that the end of the world was near.
But Penny seized upon the solution with profound relief.
“Yes, of course,” she said. “It is the ideal answer. I confess that it had actually occurred to me. But I must admit I did not expect you to suggest the notion, Mr. Stanbridge.”
“What?” Amity switched her attention to Penny. “Are you mad? How on earth will such an announcement solve anything?”
Penny assumed a knowing air. “I’m sure Mr. Stanbridge has all the answers. Something tells me he concocted the plan before he arrived on our doorstep a short time ago. Is that correct, sir?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” he said, trying to appear modest.
Amity clutched her napkin very tightly. “Mr. Stanbridge, I would remind you that you were unaware of the gossip about us until you sat down to breakfast at this very table a short time ago. How on earth can you declare that you conceived this harebrained notion on the way from the ship to this house?”
The harebrained notion comment hurt but he reminded himself that Amity had been under considerable stress lately.
“It was the news of the attack on you that convinced me that an engagement is the only alternative,” he said.
Penny nodded, satisfied. “Yes, of course.”
Amity glared at both of them in turn. “Why is a fake engagement a sound notion?”
“Because it will do two important things,” Benedict said. He was trying to be patient but underneath he had to admit he found her lack of enthusiasm for the plan decidedly depressing. “First and foremost it will allow me to be seen regularly in your company. That will make it easier to protect you.”
Amity frowned. “Protect me? Do you mean to say that you believe the killer might try to kidnap me a second time?”
“We cannot know the mind of a monster like this creature they call the Bridegroom,” he said gently. “Until we are certain that he is dead or in prison I do not think it wise for you to go about by yourself. If he is out there in the shadows, he will have had time for his wounds to heal. You should not leave this house alone under any circumstances. As your fiancé I will be able to escort you wherever you wish to go.”
Amity started to speak, stopped and then took a breath and tried again.
“And the second reason you believe this fraudulent arrangement is a good idea?” she asked.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said. “It will put a stop to the gossip. You will no longer need to be concerned that Galbraith will refuse to publish your book because of the damage to your reputation.”
Penny looked at Amity. “You must see that an engagement really is a perfect solution to both problems.”
“Excuse me,” Amity said evenly, “but I’m not at all sure of that.”
“Why?” Penny asked.
“Why?” Amity got out in a half-strangled voice. “You have to ask me that? It’s a terrible idea. Such an engagement would be a complete fiction. How on earth could we possibly maintain the illusion? Even if Mr. Stanbridge is content to play the part of my fiancé, what of his parents? I’m sure they will raise some objections.”
“No, they won’t,” Benedict said. “You may leave my parents to me. I will deal with them if it becomes necessary.”
“How could it not become necessary?” Amity shot back.
“As it happens, they are in Australia at the moment.” He brushed the problem of his parents aside. “They will have no notion of what is going on here in London. And while we’re on the subject, rest assured that I will deal with my brother and his wife, as well.”
Amity’s mouth tightened. “I do appreciate your offer, Mr. Stanbridge, however—”
“Kindly stop saying that you appreciate my offers,” he said.
He realized how sternly he had spoken only after she fell abruptly silent. She stared at him with an air of astonishment that made him aware that he had never before shown her the edge of his temper.
He suppressed a groan and tried to explain.
“It’s the least I can do after what you did for me,” he said quietly. “You saved my life on St. Clare. I wouldn’t have made it without you. It was that incident that led to the compromising situation which in turn inspired the gossip about our supposed liaison. Now you have been attacked because of that gossip. I am in your debt and I would very muchappreciateit if you would allow me to try to repay it.”
