The real Penelope would absolutely want that arrangement, although perhaps not with the Duke of Ice. But she couldn’t pretend to be Penelope for the rest of the Season. She was sure to be found out. “I cannot accept, Your Grace.”
“Can you at least tell me why?” Frustration was creeping into his voice. “Do you detest my company that much?”
“No, I don’t,” she said quickly. She couldn’t pretend to dislike him.
“Then perhaps you don’t think I’m a man of my word.” He sounded genuinely hurt at that. “Perhaps you think I’m going to try to trap you in marriage.”
“No, of course not!”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I know what the gossip sheets say about me. I know most of the ton thinks I’m a monster. I had hoped you would see differently, especially after I told you the real reasons I went after that baker and Baron–”
She turned to look at him quickly, only to see he looked angry and fearsome even though he merely sounded disappointed. Whether or not he meant to, he was a terrifying man. But he wasn’t a monster. “I don’t think you would hurt me or any other lady,” she said. “And I certainly don’t think you’re a monster. You’ve already proven to be much kinder than the ton seems to think you are.”
He didn’t look convinced. “I’m trying to give you what you want, Lady Penelope, and you still refuse me. I can see no other reason for your refusal except that you do think I’m exactly the sort of man who takes pleasure in hurting and toying with others.”
I cannot do this. The last thing she wanted was to make him think she saw him as a monster. “I assure you, that’s not the reason. I know you are a man of honor.”
“Then tell me why you don’t accept my proposal!” His voice was barely lower than a shout now.
She blinked away tears that threatened to blur her vision. She turned away so she could compose herself, only to hear him murmuring apologies for raising his voice. How could anyone think this man was a monster? Yes, he was formidable, but she could already tell from the short time they had spent together that he was also kind.
She took a deep breath before turning to face him again. However, she could not look him in the face as shame settled deep in her stomach. She had two options: she could either let him think that she was afraid of him or she could tell him the truth and face the consequences for her actions. She wasn’t going to take the coward’s way out now. “I am afraid I cannot accept, Your Grace. Not because I don’t want to, but because I have been deceiving you. I am not Lady Penelope Atwood. I am Miss Thorne.”
She looked up at him to see his look of disbelief as she continued to talk. “Lady Penelope is my friend. I was telling you the truth about her not being interested in marriage. She urged me to go in her stead so I could dissuade you from pursuing her.”
“Truly?” he said. “You are not lying?”
“I am afraid not, Your Grace. Not about this. To be honest, I have enjoyed your company greatly, and under other circumstances, I would have been happy to accept your proposition. But my father is the Viscount of Clifford, and I am sure his reputation precedes him. I am not well known, so I doubt anyone has recognized me at the tea shop or here at the gallery. But if you continue your association with me, then your reputation will surely be harmed.”
He looked stunned, and she wished he would say something, even if it meant him scolding her for her deception. But he didn’t speak.
“I apologize, Your Grace,” she said. “Truly. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but that doesn’t make it any less true. I never expected it to get this far, and I promise I will no longer infringe on your time.” She spun on her heel and hurried out of the room as quickly as she could. Tears stung her eyes as she searched for Lydia.
The older woman found her a second later. “There you are, miss,” she said. “I turned around for one second only for you to run off!” Her eyes widened as she looked at Joanna’s stricken face. “What did he do? Did that man hurt you?”
She shook her head. “No, he’s a perfect gentleman. We must go, Lydia. I never wish to return here again.”
CHAPTER 9
“Perhaps I should check the obituaries.”
Evan rolled his eyes at his brother’s non-sequitur remark. He was taking a walk in the gardens while his brother trailed along behind him. “Do tell me why. I long to know the inner workings of your mind.”
Peter ignored the sarcasm. “Because you have been wandering around the property like a wayward ghost for the better part of an hour. Perhaps you’ve shed your mortal coil, and I simply forgot. If I check the recent obituaries, I can settle this matter once and for all.”
“I am not in the mood for your witty remarks at the moment.”
“No, I am sure you are not. But if I ask you outright what is wrong, then you will simply ignore me, as you have done the last dozen or so times I have asked.”
“Most people would take that as a hint.” He picked up his pace, as if he could lose his brother on the narrow garden path.
“It’s a good thing I am not like most people, then, isn’t it?” Peter picked up the pace and walked past Evan before cutting him off on the path. “What happened when you met Lady Penelope at the art gallery? You have been in a foul mood ever since you came back from that place.”
Evan gritted his teeth and focused his attention on a nearby lavender plant. “It turns out I did not meet Lady Penelope at all. The young lady was so unwilling to meet with me, she arranged for her friend, Miss Joanna Thorne, to take her place.” He still could not believe he had let himself get deceived in such a manner. He was a fool.
Peter’s brow furrowed. “Thorne? I am afraid I cannot place the last name. Perhaps she is the daughter of a baron?”
“She’s the daughter of the Viscount of Clifford, and she has not been out in society for the past three years.” He had heard of the viscount but had never met him personally.
