“Consider it my payment for your continued pretense.”
“What pretense?”
He caught her hand and slowly pulled it up to his lips. “The banns are being read in church. The prince has declared his intention to meet you.”
“But I have disappeared. No one need—”
“You are setting up a shop in the middle of London. I cannot claim to have lost you when you are right here.”
That made sense. “So the original plan remains? I am to act as your fiancée.”
“And meet the prince.”
“And then end our engagement—”
“The night before our wedding.” His smile was wistful. “A little under three weeks now. Surely that is fair repayment for the money I will loan you.”
“But it is a loan! I will repay it.”
“I will not charge you interest. You can repay it as you need.” He shrugged. “Or not at all, Yihui. You will be doing me a great favor to pose as my fiancée. My mother will pick at you incessantly and all thetonwill declare you unworthy, no matter what you do.”
“But I will see Emmaline again. And Millie.”
“Yes.”
And him. Always him. Dressed in his finery as he escorted her to meet the prince. What a dream come true!
She smiled. “Yes, I will be your fiancée.”
And so began the most difficult, delightful, and absurdly funny week of her life.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“You cannot sitlike that. You look like a sack of grain. Straighten up or I shall be forced to put knives in the back of the chair. Really, you’re worse than a child.”
Max groaned as he came around the corner and entered the parlor. He saw what he expected to see. His mother sat perched on the edge of the settee like a bird teetering on the edge of a vase. Yihui, on the other hand, sat fully in her chair, using the furniture as it was intended. At his mother’s admonishment, she straightened up her back and he quickly grabbed a small pillow to shove into the space she’d created.
“Max! She cannot depend on pillows. That’s not how a lady sits.”
“She’s been working night and day at her shop—”
“For God’s sake, don’t mention that!”
He glanced ruefully at Yihui and felt his lips quirk at her angelic expression. She’d already told him that she intended to mention her apothecary shop often. It was the best way to get aristocratic customers. And if she didn’t let the information drop, he absolutely intended to. He’d already talked to his friends about how her miracle tea had eased his mother’s spells.
In truth, he had no idea if it were the tea or the fact that his mother was the center of a great deal of attention. She always thrived when she was busy, but Emmaline had remarked that their mother was also more even-tempered lately. No hystericaloutbursts or unexplained tears. And not a single chest-clutching episode of interrupted breath.
If any of that was due to the tea, then he was pleased to share that information with everyone. Meanwhile, he smiled at his mother.
“I’m pleased that you’re here this evening and not out at a ball. Did you have any special afternoon callers?”
His mother gasped in shock. “Absolutely not! She’s not remotely ready to be seen by anyone.”
“Oh,” he said. “That’s unfortunate because I’ve invited a friend to join us at supper.” He glanced at his pocket watch. “Indeed, I believe he should be arriving any minute now.”
His mother leaped up, her expression downright furious. “How could you invite someone to dine without mentioning this to me? Do you think this is a game, preparing your fiancée to be presented atcourt?Everything she does shall reflect upon our name.Everything!”
“Your Grace,” Yihui interrupted just when his mother was drawing breath. “I am mindful of your work, even if your son is not. The strain upon you is significant. Do you wish to send for more tea? I have added a touch of orangery as you requested. Perhaps you could tell me if that improves the taste.”
