He regarded her down the length of his nose. “So tell me. What is your plan to lure Branville?” He waggled his eyebrows.
Delilah primly pressed her lips together. “Don’t make it sound so suspect. It’s not as if I intend to trap him in a large box.”
Thomas propped an elbow on the table in front of them. “I wouldn’t put it past Lucy. You’d better check with her before you make that claim.”
Delilah laughed. “My plan is not complicated. I intend to attempt to be demure, ladylike, and charming. Isn’t that what you men like?”
Thomas scratched his chin. “I suppose some men like it. I’ve always preferred a woman who speaks her mind, enjoys herself, and is friendly for the sake of being friendly.”
Delilah offered him a fond smile. “I suppose that’s why you and I have always been friends, Thomas. You’re one of the few people who isn’t put off by my being unconventional. And you’re one of the few people who will make fun of the ridiculous strictures of thetonwith me.”
She went to take another bite, missed, and the chocolate concoction dribbled down the front of her gown. Sherolled her eyes skyward. “See? This is the exact sort of thing I mustn’t do in front of the Duke of Branville.”
Thomas handed her a napkin from the tabletop. “Branville’s never made a mistake before?”
She dabbed at the chocolate, which only served to smear it. “I highly doubt Lady Emmaline does things like drip chocolate ice on her gowns.”
“Well, perhaps she should.” Thomas rubbed the back of his hand over his eyes. He would have liked nothing better than to come out and tell Delilah how he felt about her, how he’d always felt about her. But he’d known her long enough to understand that she became easily anxious over ideas that were not ostensibly her own. Besides, he had no way of surmising whether she returned his affections in the least. The fact that she’d set her very determined sights on the Duke of Branville meant she would have to give up that plan before she’d so much as entertain another.
Thomas’s plan at the moment consisted of hastening the end of her infatuation with Branville. It wouldn’t be easy, of course, because of her desire to please her mother. The entire situation was one that needed to be handled with extreme patience and care. Which was fine with him, because while Delilah may not have patience, as she often liked to point out, Thomas had patience in spades.
He cleared his throat. “You don’t actually plan to pretend you are conventional for the sake of attracting Branville, do you?”
She took the last bite of her ice and set the empty glass cup and spoon on the table in front of her. She tugged at the strings of her bonnet. “I must make some effort to act like a future duchess should. I’m not about to bring him up to scratch by being loud and lacking decorum.”
Thomas eyed her carefully. “Do youtrulywant to marry him?”
She shrugged and glanced away. “I must marrysomeone, and marrying Branville will make Mother happy, at least.”
Thomas expelled his pent-up breath, but when he turned to Delilah, he forced himself to roll his eyes. Delilah would be terribly suspicious if he was anything other than his normal sarcastic, devil-may-care self. “Sounds terribly romantic.”
She plunked her hands on her hips. “You know these things aren’t always romantic, Thomas.”
“Really? Aren’t you the one who bragged about the love matches you made for your friends?”
“Yes, well, those ladies were quite fortunate. It doesn’talwayshappen that way.”
“Name one couple you know who wasn’t a love match,” Thomas prompted.
Delilah furrowed her brow. “Let’s see, there’s Lucy and Derek. Cass and Julian. Jane and Garrett.” She ticked off the couples on her fingers. “Cousin Daphne and Rafe. Alex and Owen. Christian and Sarah. Cade and Danielle. Meg and Hart.”
“All love matches, correct?” He grinned at her.
She frowned at him. “There has to besomeonewho married first and fell in love later.”
“I’m waiting.” He propped his chin on his elbow.
“How do I know I’mnotin love with the Duke of Branville?” she finally answered primly.
He eyed her from the side. “You can’t be serious.”
Delilah shrugged. “He’s handsome, rich, and funny. I may well fall madly in love with him the moment I meet him.”
Thomas’s spine stiffened. “First, I do not believe he’sparticularly funny. I don’t know who told you that. Second, I suppose there’s only one way to find out if you fall madly in love with him at first sight, isn’t there?” The thought made Thomas feel as if he’d been punched in the gut, but he said the words with as much sarcasm as he could muster.
“I suppose you’re right,” Delilah replied with a resolute nod.
He pushed his own empty glass cup farther onto the table. It was time to change the subject again, to one he must handle with extreme care. Thomas scratched his cheek. “I suppose I must marry someday as well.” He watched her from the corner of his eye.
