Peter nodded. “I expected as much. My brother is very resistant to the idea of marriage. He gets to enjoy the Season without ourdear grandmother arranging dates for him, and you get to re-enter society.”
Joanna looked down. “It is more than party invitations,” she said. “His Grace has been very generous with me. My sister has her debut Season next year, and thanks to your brother’s generosity, she will have a proper Season.”
She felt ashamed admitting her family’s obvious financial troubles out loud, but Peter simply smiled kindly at her. “I am glad to hear it. I must say, I believe my brother is smitten with you. Otherwise, he would not have gone through so much trouble for you and your sister.”
Joanna’s brow furrowed. “Didn’t you just hear me? The courtship is a ruse!”
He chuckled. “Yes, I heard you. But I know your private dinner tonight was part of no deception. He truly cares for you, Miss Thorne. And I am overjoyed to see him so happy. I think the two of you are a good match.”
A lump formed in Joanna’s throat. She tried to swallow it away, but to no avail. “This might be true, but it is still going to end,” she said, her voice husky with sorrow.
Peter shrugged as the carriage pulled to a stop outside Clifford Manor. “That depends on you and my brother, doesn’t it? There is no need for it to end if the two of you wish otherwise.” He inclined his head at her. “Goodnight, Miss Thorne.”
She nodded as the carriage door opened, and the driver came out to help her down. “Goodnight, Mr. Swinton.”
CHAPTER 31
Evan felt restless the day after his dinner with Joanna. He tried not to think about it by throwing himself into his work, but to no avail. Then he decided to go on a walk in the gardens, but that did nothing to settle his thoughts, either.
All he could think about was the sweet little sounds Joanna made as he drove her to ecstasy with his hand. He wanted to make her fall apart with his fingers, his mouth, and even bury himself deep inside her. He wanted to strip her out of her clothing until she was naked before him, completely at the whims of his pleasure.
Unfortunately, the Season was winding to a close much sooner than he would like. So he didn’t have much time with her, unless he decided to continue their agreement…
He grimaced as he turned down a path in the gardens so he could start going back to the manor. Even if she agreed to an extension, their arrangement would still end eventually. She would want to get married and settle down in a place of comfortand security instead of being at the mercy of him inviting her on dates in exchange for compensation.
But the thought of her with another man—even a good one who could provide her a good life—left a bad taste in his mouth. And if their agreement ended, then he would have to make good on his promise and find her a husband.
But he could not marry her. Marriage would only lead to heartbreak.
He had a need to try to control his life in all ways, including minimizing pain. He felt the pain too much when his parents died so suddenly. If he got married– let alone had a child– then he would be opening himself up to more pain. They could be ripped away from him just as suddenly as his parents were. Even worse, he could be the one to die suddenly, leaving behind a wife and child to endure the loss.
When he was in his early twenties, he realized he couldn’t afford to marry if he was looking to avoid such pain. He silently swore it off, even as his grandmother started talking about weddings and great-grandchildren.
But the thought of letting Joanna go at the end of the Season was beginning to feel unbearable.
What do you intend to do? Ask her to become your mistress? She would rightly slap you for such a proposition.
As soon as he was inside, he went to his study so he could write a note to Joanna. He would invite her on a date and see if she was willing to extend their agreement into the next Season. That would at least buy him some time.
Joanna came home from tea with Penelope to find the invitation from Evan. He wanted her to join him at the Blackwell Estate for a walk around the gardens. She felt a flutter of excitement as she sent a message back to him, accepting the invitation.
She could not stop thinking about his fingers on her sex, making her feel wickedly good. She wondered if he truly only had a walk in mind, or if they would have a… more intimate encounter, like the one they had after dinner. She secretly hoped it would be the latter.
It didn’t take her long to leave a note for her parents and get ready for the walk, with the help of Mary. Her maid helped her put on one of her prettiest afternoon dresses before doing her hair in a most fashionable way.
“Will you need a companion with you today, miss?” Mary asked. “I can come along. My mother will not expect me home until after dark.”
“Thank you, but that will not be necessary,” she said. “His grandmother loves to chaperone us.”So she can lose us at the first possible moment.
Mary nodded, smiling. “Very well, miss.”
During the carriage ride to Blackwell Manor, Joanna did her best to keep her thoughts restricted to the most innocent subjects, like her favorite types of teas or whether quadrilles were more fun than waltzes. However, she could not stop her thoughts from inevitably turning more wicked. Tea reminded her of that dinner and the predatory look in Evan’s eyes. Dancing reminded her of how good it felt when he put his hands on her.
She pressed her thighs together as the carriage arrived at Blackwell Manor. She took a deep breath, hoping her wanton thoughts would not be obvious on her face.
When she knocked, she was startled to see Evan at the door instead of the butler. She took a step back in surprise. “Your Grace!” she said.
He smirked at her, appearing to take pleasure in catching her off guard. “I know it’s eccentric for a duke to answer his own door, but I admit I was impatient for you to arrive.”
