CHAPTERFIVE
“Youdid what?”
Beth sat opposite the marquis as he attempted to explain to her cousin why he had done what he had. The air had grown chilly since leaving the ball, and the carriage, while luxurious, did little to stop the cold from seeping into her bones.
“Here.” She watched Lord Vereton reach under the seat and retrieve a blanket, which he flicked open and then lowered over her legs.
“Thank you.” Surprised by his gesture, Beth nestled into the warmth.
“It just happened, Nick,” he continued. “But as Miss Whitlow has agreed to stay betrothed until the season ends in—”
“I know when the season ends!” her enraged cousin interrupted.
“Excellent, that makes things easier then.”
Beth swallowed her smile. She hadn’t had a great deal to do with Lord Vereton, but the few times she’d observed his interaction with her cousin, she’d enjoyed it... silently, of course. They teased each other mercilessly.
“Leo, I am angry right now. In fact, anger does not begin to cover what I am experiencing. You have put my cousin in an incomparable situation, which for once is not of her making.”
“Oh, now I must object.” Beth stepped into the conversation. “When have I ever placed myself in a compromising situation?”
Lord Vereton actually winked at her as Nick’s eyes swung from him to her.
“And you!” He pointed a finger at her. “Why did you not simply deny this fool’s words?
Why indeed.Perhaps because finally she saw a way out of the constant attention she received from men who wanted her dowry. A brief respite to actually enjoy the remainder of the season.
“Likely it was the shock,” Lord Vereton said on her behalf. “Or... secretly she has always thought I am the man for her. Either way, she played along.”
“I did not think that, and you will stop deluding yourself that I ever could,” Beth said.
“My heart is broken.”
Looking at the large, handsome marquis sprawled along the opposite seat, she found it hard to believe anyone could break his heart. He was always so arrogant and cynical. His view on life, Nick had once told her, was to see it through narrow eyes.He hides his true self behind sarcasm and disdain, Beth. It worries me.
“Will you shut up, Leo! This is no laughing matter. My cousin is now supposedly betrothed to you, and I am now a party to that lie, as will be my wife.”
“Don’t tell her.”
“I do not lie to Grace!”
“I’m sorry, Nick.” The marquis was suddenly serious. “It was never my intention to cause you or Miss Whitlow harm, and yet in my stupidity I have done just that. Forgive me.”
Beth was fairly sure any woman would forgive him anything with that particular look, however she was not any woman, and had no weakness for tolerating men, unless it was her cousin.
“Nick, I have agreed to go along with this charade for three weeks, and no longer. In that time you will not be approached by any men who wish to have my dowry, so perhaps you can think about that for a minute. I will not have men like Humperdingle and Scoffton making cakes of themselves because they are supposedly enamored by me. You have no idea how freeing that will be.”
Her cousin sat back in his seat. “I had not thought of that side benefit.”
“Do you get many?” The marquis asked his friend.
“My cousin is a wealthy woman, Leo. There are many who need such wealth. Not that Beth isn’t a wonderful woman, and beautiful,” Nick rushed to add.
“It’s all right, cousin, I know I am well past the age of being sought after for my looks, and believe me, I am glad of it. I have no wish to wed, as you know.”
“You’re twenty-seven,” Lord Vereton said. “Beautiful and intelligent—of course men would be interested in you for reasons other than your dowry.”
Beth looked away from his disturbing eyes. “I am not a fool, but thank you, my lord.”
