“And how is that?” He’d meant to advise her in the best way possible. Instead, he’d hurt her.
The knowledge did not sit well with him. Indeed, it made him want to pull her close and whisper comforting words in her ear, which would probably be the worst idea ever since they were in public and he’d no desire for a swift engagement, not to mention what she might think of such an intimate gesture. The last thing he wanted was for her to assume his interest in her went beyond the bounds of friendship. Which it didn’t.
“It doesn’t matter.” She smiled in spite of the pain that welled in her eyes. “Perhaps we ought to go back inside and enjoy the rest of the evening?”
“There is something else.” He simply had to make this right. So although he knew it was probably a terrible idea and had only intended to help her with her financial problem by suggesting she host a charitable fund-raising event, he found himself saying, “I won’t lend you the necessary funds you require in order to pay Mr. Gorrell, but Iwilloffer it to you as a donation.”
Her expression froze for a second before transforming into a visage of wary jubilation. “Truly?”
There was no going back now, so he nodded. “A few conditions will apply.” He might be making the most generous offer of his life at the moment, but he wasn’t going to do so without some certainty that she would be fully invested in this project.
“Name it. Anything at all.”
He could think of a few things he’d like in return, but going there would be stupid and dangerous, so he bit his tongue and focused on practicality. “First, I expect you to draw up a viable business plan so I can assess your understanding of the costs and logistics involved in this endeavor.” She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up his hand. “Next, you must tell my mother and Lady Everly about this project and your involvement in it, and finally, you must acquire their approval.”
Amelia stared at him. Her legs shook beneath her skirts while a series of wild little flurries rushed through her. What he’d said about her gown earlier had upset her more than it should have. Worst of all, he’d seen the devastation she’d felt in response to his censure. Consequently, he’d regarded her in a way she’d rather forget as fast as she could—with pity. But even as she’d wished herself a world away from him, he’d surprised her with this incredible offer.
“I understand.” Telling the dowager duchess and Lady Everly would not be easy. Indeed she dreaded it already. But she was prepared to do as he asked in order to achieve her goal. “Why don’t you stop by my house tomorrow afternoon? I’ll have a business plan ready,andI’ll tell your mother and Lady Everly everything, as well.”
“You cannot possibly have a plan ready so soon.” He looked her carefully in the eye. “These things take weeks, months even, to prepare.”
“I don’t have that kind of time.” She knew she faced a challenge, but he was also underestimating her if he didn’t think she’d made any calculations before approaching Mr. Gorrell in the first place. “Trust me, Your Grace. I will put the plan together by tomorrow afternoon.”
He still didn’t look convinced, but at least he didn’t argue. Fortunately, his expression had also returned to normal, which was quite a relief. She hadn’t really known what to make of the way in which he’d been studying her earlier. It was as if his eyes had glazed over when he’d mentioned her gown. She’d almost expected him to grab her as he had done at the house and reprimand her for daring to wear a fashionable French design.
Apparently, he didnotlike the daringly low neckline, a fact that had made her confidence dwindle until she’d felt anything but beautiful and sophisticated. Rather, his remark had made her feel stupid for ever supposing a mere gown could make a difference—that it would miraculously alter his perception of her. Not that she’d expected him to fall on his knees in reverence, but a bit of masculine appreciation on his part would have been nice.
“Regarding my earlier comment,” he began, as if reading her mind, “I am sorry for the effect my words had on you, but as your friend, I feel it is my duty to be honest with you.”
“I understand. About the house—” She simply had to escape this topic.
“I wasn’t though. Honest, that is. Not completely.”
Stunned, she stared back up at his face, watching shadows spill across the angular planes. “What do you mean?”
He stared at her, his eyes holding hers for so long her knees began to grow weak. “You are stunning,” he finally murmured, so low she barely heard him. “I know I may have suggested the opposite, and for that I apologize. It is just...” His nostrils flared as he puffed out a breath. “Men are primitive scoundrels at their core, not because they want to be, but because it is in their nature. Here in Society, they are taught to suppress their instincts. And they do, for the most part, but that does not mean you should not be careful.”
“You worry a man might see me like this and be overcome by lust?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “I think that’s absurd.”
His hand struck out swiftly to clutch at her wrist. Fire lit in his eyes. “Do not underestimate the power you wield.” His hold on her tightened. “You have been put on display tonight by my mother and Lady Everly. The only problem is most men will see you as a treat to be whisked away and devoured. They will know marriage is likely to follow, but they will not care, because their desire to possess what you offer will override their common sense.”
The harshness with which he spoke sent a spike of fear up her spine. And yet, she kept her head up and tried not to let him affect her, which was futile since no man had ever affected her more. No, they weren’t right for each other and she would do well to consider any other gentleman but him, but as much as she tried, she couldn’t deny her attraction to him. Not even when he was hurting her wrist and saying the most unbelievable things.
“Are you suggesting that I would allow myself to get ruined?”
That seemed to sober him. Releasing his hold, he ran his hands through his hair and muttered an oath. “No. Yes. I do not know.” He stared at her as if she presented a puzzle that he was having a damnable time solving. “Your brother has asked me to protect you during his absence, and I would be remiss in my duty toward him if I did not tell you these things.”
At least he was being truthful, so perhaps she should be, as well. “You’re right. The dress is too much. I knew it when the dressmaker was asked to lower the neckline another inch, but your mother and Lady Everly insisted on such an alteration being to my advantage. I don’t know enough about the ways of thetonyet to argue on such a point when they’re both doing so much in order to help.”
His face relaxed into a visage of quiet relief. “Then you will wear something a little more modest in the future?”
“Yes.”
With a nod to confirm their agreement, he offered her his arm. “I believe the waltz will be starting up soon,” he said. She placed her hand upon the firm muscle that lay beneath the sleeve of his evening jacket. “Let us go back inside so we don’t risk missing it.”
Saying nothing, Amelia allowed him to guide her back into the ballroom. She’d looked forward to the dance all evening, and their recent conversation was not going to change that. It would simply serve as yet another reminder of why he would never in a million years consider making her his duchess.
Chapter 9
