“I am your friend.” It was imperative he make that clear. Even if he had a burning desire to be something more, his primary goal at the moment was offering strength and support. “I’m also glad that you felt able to come to me with this request. It caught me by surprise, that’s all. I hadn’t expected an offer of marriage when I left my home this morning.”
He added a teasing smile. The truth was, she had completely swept the rug from under his feet.
“It was very bold of me, I’ll admit.” Gratitude shone in her eyes, and Callum’s heart melted.
“So just to be sure I understand, you wish for us to visit your grandmother together. Yes?” She’d related the details too quickly for him to follow. His mind had been stuck on ‘pretend courtship’.
She nodded. “Grandmama didn’t believe me when I told her you and I were courting. She…doesn’t believe you to be the marrying sort, I’m afraid.”
“Hmm…” He reflected on that a moment. Marrying wasn’t something he’d spent much time thinking about, until recently As he’d told Lady Emily, he had time. But when he was with her, he felt the uncanny need for something more permanent. It was a feeling unlike any other and one he feared she did not share.
This complicated her request since a small part of him secretly wished for it to be real. If he weren’t careful, he could end up brokenhearted, but wasn’t that a risk worth taking if he truly cared about her?
“Your grandmother isn’t wrong,” he said. “I’ve shown no interest in courtship or marriage before. In fact, the first lady I’ve called on with flowers is you.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
His heart beat a bit harder at the realization that she seemed to like that idea.
Careful.
He released her hand and positioned himself with his forearms resting upon his thighs and his hands clasped together. “No one else can know about this.”
“Does that mean you’ll do it?”
It was a big request, but why should he refuse? He had no other attachment and he did owe her a favor for helping him out with Peter.
He gave his consent before he could change his mind. “Yes.”
“Thank you.” The relief with which she spoke assured him he’d made the right decision. This would not only give Viscountess Seaton peace. It would also give it to Lady Emily.
Still, the endeavor was not without risk. He had to make that clear to her. “If word gets out that you and I travelled to visit your grandmother’s deathbed together, assumptions will be made.”
“Agreed.” She nodded with the keenness of an adventuress about to explore an unchartered land. “I thought we might meet somewhere along the way and continue onward from there.”
He tried to think of a discreet location. “There’s a church in Camden, near the main road. Do you know it?”
“No, but I’m sure my coachman does.”
There was another detail that needed addressing. “I trust Georgina will be joining us?”
“Of course. My reputation will be preserved.”
He was pleased to hear it. “And when would you like to depart?”
“Today. As early as possible since Mama and Papa intend to return to Seaton Hall themselves this evening. I’d like to go and come back before then.”
“Very well. I’ll need to return home first, but I can meet you at the designated spot in a couple of hours. Will that do?”
“Yes.”
He stood, gave a short bow, and departed, all the while wondering what the hell he’d just gotten into. It wasn’t until he’d already set off that he realized how problematic this could become for them both.
Making big decisions with haste was always unwise and he had to admit, this plan he’d agreed to help Lady Emily with, was no small thing. He should have taken more time to consider the possible implications it could potentially lead to. But with a viscountess on her deathbed, he hadn’t.
Instead he’d agreed, not taking into account that Lady Emily’s grandfather would have to be informed of their courtship as well. Callum doubted the viscount would go along with deceiving his wife, so they would have to lie to him too. Which pretty much ensured this would all spiral out of control.
Two hours later, Callum muttered a curse as he climbed from his hired carriage. He walked to the spot where the Rosemont carriage was meant to pick him up and glanced at his pocket watch. Five to eleven. She’d be here any minute.
