“Perhaps we can discuss a compromise.”
“Compromise!” What could he possibly mean? Either they married or she was ruined and if she was ruined, she could not remain in London. There was no middle ground.
“Or are you too afraid to hear a third option?”
She narrowed her eyes. Third options usually involved deception and while the ton may not ever speak of the incident again, their silent opinions would not change, which was just the same as being ruined.
“You intend to lie to Society? Try to make them believe that those five men did not see what they believed.”
He placed a hand on his heart. “While that was a possibility, it was dismissed.”
Ah, so he wanted out of their predicament just as much as she did. And, while Penelope should be grateful, it stung and a bit of disappointment and hurt stabbed at her heart.
“What do you propose, Your Grace, so long as it is not a proposal.”
Chapter 20
The problem was, he did not have another option. The one he arrived with, if she was going to reject him, was what Claybrook had suggested. The same possibility had occurred to Penelope and she had already dismissed it.
Now what was he supposed to do? And why was she so against marriage without even discussing the option? It was rather disconcerting and hurtful, if he were to be honest.
“A courtship,” he announced, surprising even himself.
“Courtship,” Penelope repeated.
“Yes.” Henry drew himself up. “Why dismiss a potential future without thoroughly exploring the possibility?”
“To what purpose?”
Did he not just explain the very reason for proposing such? “It would give us the opportunity to explore if we might be a match before simply rejecting the idea.”
“A courtship insinuates a betrothal, which leads to marriage.”
“Not in all cases.”
Penelope rose from her seat and glared at him. “Do you truly want to find out if we would suit, or is it because you are honorable and think it is the right thing to do, or is it because you hate rejection?”
“I think it is worth consideration. I rather like you Lady Penelope, even if you do not like me very much.”
“Yes, I have claimed that,” she said quietly as she looked away.
He would ask her if her opinion had changed but feared her answer.
“Then there are my cousins. They need you. You have pointed out my failings, daily, and there is a ball in a few days.”
Penelope drew in a breath, her shoulders rising and falling. She still did not like him very much and Henry was quite certain that he was an irritation to her, but he would persist.
“What of their reputations?” she asked.
“That should not be a concern,” he returned, though he understood.
“Though dukes can get away with nearly anything, your cousins’ association with me could harm them when they did nothing wrong. What if those friendships you tried to establish ended because of my indiscretion? What if the gentlemen who attempt to dance with them are the very type of rake and rogue who you warned against because they assume the sisters are under my influence.”
He did not think their situation so dire. “I am certain that how my cousins are viewed will not change.”
“You know as well as I do that it is usually not the case,” she said.
Blast! Maybe she was correct, but he was willing to take the risk. They needed her.
