“I’m sorry. I probably should have sent a note.”
He answered with a snort. “You’ve never adhered to protocol, so it’s not surprising you did not think to do so.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So you’ve said. Multiple times. I wish you would stop.” She scrunched her mouth in protest, prompting him to laugh. “Life must be an unbearable struggle for you, having to follow rules, being forced to adhere to social etiquette without compromising your own true self.”
He had her pegged to perfection. Athena sank back against her chair with a sigh. “I’m a burden to everyone close to me – a constant threat to everyone’s reputation. It’s why I’ll probably never marry. Because no respectable man will want to take me on. I’m too big a risk.”
“You have gumption, Athena. Life with you would never be dull. Indeed, I imagine it would be riveting.” His voice was low and strained in a way that surprised her. “You’ll find the right man eventually, I’m sure.”
“Time will tell, I suppose.” She appreciated his attempt to lift her spirit, but she wasn’t sure she believed him. Deciding to change the subject before he began suspecting she might want his pity, she asked, “Why have you not married?”
He raised one eyebrow at her. When she did not blink, he eventually said, “After being thrown over twice, I must confess I have not been especially eager to risk a third humiliation.”
“Twice?” Athena asked.
“Bethany wasn’t my first fiancée. I was engaged to Miss Charlotte Walker a few years prior.”
Sweet heavens. Athena didn’t know what to say. She felt even worse now, knowing she’d ruined his second attempt to marry.
“I was young and believed Charlotte to be the love of my life. As it turned out, she was only in love with my title. When she realized there wasn’t a vast fortune to go along with it, she ran off with my cousin.”
The air left Athena’s lungs. “No.”
“Not that he was wealthy or titled, mind you. Billings was a rake but she was apparently drawn to that.”
“Goodness. I’m so—”
“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry,” he told her sternly. “I won’t have it.”
“Very well then, but I cannot pretend to be glad. I hope Charlotte Walker will regret the choice she made for the rest of her life.”
His lips quirked. “I believe she might. As for me, I imagine I was saved from a loveless marriage. Twice, thanks to you.”
“If love was what you wanted, then why insist on marrying Bethany?”
“Because I decided to make a practical decision for a change – to choose my wife sensibly instead of using my heart. After all, the heart thing proved a complete disaster so...” He puffed out a breath. “During the last few years I’ve been busy, working to get my finances in order. Bethany’s dowry was supposed to help improve the running of my estate. Without it, I faced a greater challenge, and when my father passed last year, I inherited an unexpected amount of debt.”
“Have you managed to pay it off yet?”
“Mostly. I sold the properties that weren’t entailed and auctioned off the art he’d collected over the years. With my own investments beginning to show returns, things are finally starting to look up.”
Athena nodded. “I’m pleased. You deserve a bit of good fortune after all you’ve been through.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your saying so.”
“And if there is anything I can do to help you in some way...” She bit her lip. “Please reconsider the offer I made to you earlier. With my family’s help your reputation can be restored.”
“I’ll consider it, although the very idea of returning to the marriage mart makes me shudder.”
She grinned. “I know how you feel.”
He watched her pensively for a moment. “Perhaps you’ve a point, though. If we can show thetonwe’ve made amends by stepping out together, there might be hope for us both.”
“You think being seen in your company could help my reputation as well?”
“I don’t see why not.” A thoughtful gleam lit his eyes. “I mean, if I show the world I’ve forgiven you for what happened, no one else should have cause to blame you. And by dancing with you—”
