Gads, the way she said the word made it feel so childish. “Never mind.”
“No—” She reached out. Almost touched my arm. “You want to be admired in front of the woman you almost married. I understand completely.”
That was exactly what I wanted. I wanted to feel strong in front of someone who had made me feel incredibly weak.
Miss Wood turned thoughtful. She crossed her arms with resolve. “You want her to regret rejecting you.”
I snapped my fingers. “Yes! That, exactly.” Not because I’d loved her. I’d hardly known her. But because I wassomeone. Someone she’d tossed aside without knowing. Her rejection hadn’t hurt. It had angered me. But later ... later, when I sat alone in my bedchamber, the wondering filled my thoughts. Had there been something wrong with me?
Miss Newbury had agreed to our marriage for my title. The marriage was a great advantage to her. And, yet, it hadn’t been enough. And I could not come to terms with the fact that the very best part of me—the dukedom—had not been enough.
Miss Wood tilted her head from side to side, seeming to consider a moment. “This is beyond the scope of our agreement, Your Grace.”
“Beyond the scope?” I repeated. I had just revealed the most intimate details—a man’s feelings! How the devil had she pulled it out of me? She was a siren, for she had helped me to come to a desperate conclusion and positioned herself in yet another perfect situation for bartering.
Brilliant, clever woman. I had fully underestimated her. I should be ignited with fury for how she played me, and yet ... she’d played me so well. I wanted to replay this little match to see how she’d done it.
“I think we can both agree I have been more than generous with you, you little minx. What more could you possibly want?”
Her eyes brightened with a little smile. “In exchange formy help, I’ll want formal introductions to every titled woman in the room, whether or not they approach us this evening.”
That was all? “Done.”
Her brows jumped up. “Very well. I will play the part of gushing friend. You will have never in your life felt more admired.”
I snorted. “I must say I am impressed how easily you can turn someone’s misfortune in your own favor.”
She grinned. “I learn quickly. If you want to really grate on her, you may call me Georgiana. Like we are truly friends. I shall call you ... Well, what didshecall you?”
A country deviant, a beautiful woman, and now a cunning friend. Miss Wood had many interesting sides to her. I found the task of unriddling her alarmingly distracting. “Miss Newbury called me Duke. Or Marlow.”
She bit a finger of her glove, thinking. “Marlow. What is your given name?”
“I do not allow anyone that intimacy.”
“If she called you Marlow, it will shock her to hear me call you by your given name. But that is entirely your decision.”
Is that what I wanted? To shock Miss Newbury? What I really wanted was to make her see me as someone she never should have rejected. Someone strong. I supposed it couldn’t hurt anything.
“Lucas. But only for tonight. And only in front of Miss Newbury. Otherwise, call me Marlow.”
Miss Wood—Georgiana—nodded her understanding. Then, slowly, she laced her arm through mine. I tensed, relaxing into the feeling of the soft pressure of her hand and the warmth of her on my side as she leaned in close.
“I only just noticed how dashing you look in green, Marlow.”
Her smile held me captive for the briefest moment, and I added another piece of her to the puzzle: alluring flirt.
But, deuces, if I did not mind this one bit. There was no pressure to look at her as a potential partner, for we both knew her judgment was not befitting of a duchess. I could simply ... enjoy her companionship. And tonight, her partnership. For the first time in a long time, I did not suppress my smirk. “Go on.”
She pinched my underarm and rolled her eyes. Then she tugged me into motion.
I was fast learning that Georgiana Wood was not one to be trifled with.
“Long walks out of doors, is that not what you said, Marlow? Rejuvenating to the spirits.” Georgiana looked from Lady Diana up at me with what I had learned was her London Season smile. It wasn’t hertruesmile by far. A politer version. A version that said,Agree with me now, or regret it later.“In fact, he especially loves afternoons at ... which country estate were you telling me about this morning? Your favorite?”
We’d been playing this game around the ballroom for the past two hours. The rules were that when Georgiana trailed off, I finished her thought with the correct answer, and I made myself sound as interesting as possible. The result was her interacting pleasantly with theton, and my impressing the eligible ladies. Namely, at this present moment, Lady Diana, who seemed quite interested. Exactly according to plan.
“Ah.” I pretended to think through an imaginary morning conversation with Georgiana. The estate I preferred was the one Father took us to every summer. “Tinlow Court.”
