Austin chuckled. “You have little faith in us men.”
“That is true,” she said without thought.
“Aunt Dee! The ducks are mean! They quack at me!” Percy complained to her.
“They’re just territorial because we’re in their home,” Austin explained, but the words seemed to have gone over the boy.
“I’m going to talk to that one.” He pointed to a tiny duckling.
“All right, but don’t go too close to the pond,” Austin said sternly.
“Yes, Uncle Austin.”
Deena’s lips twitched despite herself. She waited for Percy to reach the duckling before she spoke to the Duke. “It completely slipped my mind, but I wanted to ask if you’re… all right?”
Austin’s brows lifted. “That’s the second time someone’s asked me that.”
“It’s just that the scandal sheets are still quite the talk of theton.” Deena couldn’t help but feel guilty for authoring the article even though it was a part of their plan.
Austin watched Percy for a moment before answering her. “You have nothing to worry about, Dee. I’m fine. Scandal is an old friend.”
Deena studied him. “Scandal is an enemy to some.” He turned to her then and gave her a sympathetic look.
“I don’t need your sympathy,” she said stubbornly, and Austin laughed.
“I know, but I truly did not mean that?—”
“We have bigger enemies to worry about, and speaking of which, I will need a new article by tonight.”
“Of course, my lady.” He bowed theatrically, and Deena rolled her eyes.
“Before we speak of anything else, I need you to promise me something.” Deena looked at him, and all humor vanished from his eyes.
“What is it? Did something happen?” He approached her with worry etched into his expression, but she held up a hand to stop him in his tracks.
“We’re in public, Austin,” she whispered loudly. Austin looked around as if he just realized they were at the pond. “And it’s nothing serious; I just want to ask you to never bring up our kiss again.”
Austin looked out to where Percy played and nodded once. “I agree.”
Deena was unsure why she felt her heart prick when he did not hesitate and gave a simple response. But this was what she wanted, and she accepted it along with the hurt. She did nottrust him, or anyone, for that matter. It was best to keep her distance.
She studied him. “Are you certain you’re all right with this?”
“With not kissing you? Yes.”
Her heart pricked again.
“I was talking about the articles…”
Austin whipped around. “Oh! Yes, I’m fine with it if it’s going to help us. And anyhow, this just made me more popular with the ladies. They’re very curious about my certain…skills.” He winked at her.
“You must feel lucky, then,” she responded, colder than intended.
“Luck or fortune… or just me being my charming self?” He stepped closer to her, and she stepped back. Austin smirked and lowered his voice. “If the circumstances were reversed… If you were the one looking for a husband, would you look past a scandal like that? Would you marry a man whose past was splashed across every breakfast table?”
Deena felt hurt that he would ask her that after gossip and rumors left her ruined and unable to trust or marry anyone.
“That’s not fair,” she retorted.
