"She's quite beautiful," Miss Ashworth said as they moved through the figures.
"Who?"
"Please don't insult my intelligence by pretending not to understand who I mean."
“Very well, yes, she's beautiful."
"And intelligent, from what I observed during tea."
"Remarkably so."
"And completely inappropriate for you."
Gabriel's hand tightened on hers. "I'm aware."
"Are you? Because from where I'm standing, you look like a man about to throw away everything for love."
"That's terribly romantic for someone so cynical."
"I can be both. They're not…"
"Mutually exclusive, yes, I know."
Miss Ashworth smiled. "She says that too, doesn't she?"
"Constantly."
"You're well matched."
"We're impossibly matched."
"Those might be the same thing."
The dance required them to separate, and when they came back together, Miss Ashworth's expression was serious.
"I could help, you know."
"Help with what?"
"Your situation. I could court you very publicly, give your aunt what she wants to see, whilst you formulate a scheme for uniting yourself with the individual you genuinely covet.”
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I'm eighteen and not ready for matrimony, but a failed courtship with a duke would secure me at least another season before Father starts shopping me around again."
"You're suggesting a false courtship?"
"I'm suggesting a mutually beneficial arrangement that gives us both time to find what we actually want."
Gabriel studied her as they danced. "You're either very naive or very clever."
"Both. Again, not mutually exclusive."
"What would you want in return?"
"Protection from other suitors for the season. And..." She hesitated.
"And?"
