“It’s all right to miss them, you know,” Caroline spoke softly.
But Reed wouldn’t waste his time or energy there. All four men had made their choices—stupid, horrific choices—and left Reed to clean up after them.
His jaw clenched. He had other worries. Worries that involved family members who depended on him—members who’d not chosen to live so recklessly.
Furthermore, dwelling on the past wasn’t going to land him a duke’s daughter for a wife. He had an afternoon to plan.
“I don’t want to draw attention to the two of us. She’s going to have to sneak out of her father’s house as it is.” He hated the cagey nature of this entire endeavor but was going to have to ignore his sensibilities until the rumors subsided. He could borrow West’s curricle, but it, too, would draw attention.
Should he kiss her again? The first time had been… instinctive. But kissing her a second time could be considered strategic. And if he used romance and affection to convince her to marry him, what the hell sort of man did that make him?
Nothing to be proud of, that was for certain.
And yet, he wouldn’t mind kissing her again.
“What is it?” Caroline, who had been watching him closely, asked.
“What do you mean?”
“That look on your face. What else happened this morning? You look… strange.”
Reed scrubbed a hand down his face. Blasted Caroline. She’d pester him until he gave in. Although… Caroline, as a woman herself, might have some sort of insight into what Miss Goldie might be thinking about now.
Goldie. It was the perfect name for the blond bundle of sunshine.
“I kissed her,” he admitted.
“Ah…” Her skeptical tone didn’t provide the encouragement he’d hoped for. “Why did you kiss her, Reed? Because as badly as we need you to marry her, it wouldn’t be fair to play with her affections like that.” And then she frowned. “Would it?”
“Hell if I know. You were the one who pointed out that.” Reed cleared his throat. “That she noticed me at the house party last summer.” And damned if he didn’t feel heat ebbing up his neck.
“True.” Caroline seemed to come to some decision. “You can flirt and a kiss or two might be acceptable, but you absolutely cannot seduce her into accepting.”
He turned and faced his sister in astonishment. “What do you know about seduction?”
She shrugged. “Enough to know it wouldn’t be fair play on your part.”
“Of course it wouldn’t be,” Reed grumbled.
“I can’t believe you actually kissed her.” Caroline frowned, but only for a moment, before her face lit up with understanding. “Oh, Reed. You like her, don’t you? Of course, you’re not the sort of man who would prey upon a woman’s feelings like that. You like her!”
“She’s a pleasant enough young woman,” Reed conceded.
“But you like her! You. Like. Her!” Caroline seemed almost giddy over this. “Your marriage doesn’t have to be a cold business arrangement.” She clasped her hands together. “It could very well turn into a love match! And there will be children! Of course, I shall be their favorite aunt.”
Marriage.
Reed’s stomach lurched.
As a steward, Reed had never considered the institution for himself. And yet, he’d proposed to a young woman this very morning. And Caroline, by God, was mentioning children now.
A wedding ceremony was one thing—half an hour, give or take a few minutes—but a marriage…
It was for life. All the blood he’d felt in his face a few seconds earlier surely had drained away, and his chest seemed to collapse as he considered all the implications of marrying Lady Marigold.
“Reed,” Caroline moved to sit beside him and touched his arm.
He turned to face his sister.
