Page 80 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

Laura narrowed her eyes. “I was visiting a cousin in Scotland,” she responded smoothly. “For my health, you know. And now, I am back.”

“And since my sister is here, celebrating our engagement with us,” Christian added, stepping forward, “there can be nothing improper here.”

That wasn’t strictly true, of course. This pub was respectable but not exactly the sort of place that a member of the ton would care to be seen. Lady Pembroke would not have returned to confront them if she hadn’t been convinced that she would get the juiciest gossip out of them.

Thalia cleared her throat, drawing Lady Pembroke’s attention. “As you see, Lady Pembroke, the Duke and I are engaged. I understand that my brother gave your son false hope. I am dreadfully sorry about that, but I am not responsible. I hope that you’ll convey our apologies to Mr. Pembroke.”

A few heartbeats passed. Lady Pembroke’s face twisted in fury. Of course, news of the ‘engagement’ would soon be all over London—she’d see to that—but in the meantime, there really was nothing she could do.

At that moment, Mr. Hobbs inched back into view, glancing anxiously between them. “Sir,” he ventured, “your carriage is outside. The bill…?”

“Of course,” Christian responded smoothly. Reaching into his pocket, he drew out a handful of coins and handed them over. “Will that cover it?”

Mr. Hobbs’ eyes went wide. “Why, thank you, sir. Thank you very much, indeed!”

“Then that’s settled. Come along, ladies. We had better leave this place behind. The company grows stale.”

Turning on his heel, Christian strode towards the door. Laura and Thalia exchanged quick, worried looks and scuttled after him.

Apparently, he did not plan to ride in the carriage. A horse waited outside, saddled and ready to go. The cab waited, with a yawning driver balanced on the front seat.

“Laura, get inside,” he ordered. “I want to talk to Thalia.”

Laura hesitated, and he shot her a long, pointed look.

“Sister, you are already in disgrace. We shall see how long your refusal to explain what you are doing lasts in front of our mother. For now, get in the carriage and give me a moment’s privacy.”

Laura pressed her lips together, threw Thalia an apologetic look, and reluctantly obeyed. She clambered into the cab, closing the door behind her with an unnecessarily loud slam.

Silence flooded into the ensuing pause. Christian eyed her, and she stared back.

“I must ask your forgiveness,” he began, “for the kiss.”

A cold rush inched down her spine, and she swallowed. “It was hardly your fault alone.”

“I should have controlled myself. I should not have done it.”

“Well…” She cleared her throat, glancing away. “I kissed you back, did I not?”

He inclined his head. “True, but now the news will be all over town by tomorrow morning. News of our engagement, that is. Your brother will be furious at not being asked for his permission. More to the point, after being caught kissing in a public place, neither of us will be able to draw back.”

Her eyes shot up to his face. “What? That cannot be true.”

“Come, Thalia, you’re not a fool. This is a stain on both of our reputations. Society will forgive us, but only if we marry. This… this was not my intention, but it is where we find ourselves now. Our engagement must become a real one.”

A real engagement.

Thalia let out a choked sob, staggering back. “My… my money…” she whispered.

“We’ll wait until you have turned three-and-twenty. I’ll ensure that you get your money, Thalia. What’s more, I’ll make sure that it is kept separate from my own, so you can access it whenever you want. I have no intention of stealing what is yours. I’ll be frank; I don’t care much for my own reputation, but I care for my sister’s, now that she’s returned. Her disappearance will occasion talk, no matter what excuse we give. I can’t afford to take the risk.”

Thalia felt faintly dizzy. The world spun around her, and she reached out a hand to steady herself. She flinched when her hand touched warm flesh instead of the carriage.

“Are you all right?” Christian murmured softly.

She glanced down at his hand, curled securely around hers, and then up at his face. “Marriage,” she breathed. “We’re getting married.”

“We must, but don’t fret. It will be a marriage of convenience. You’ll have all the freedom you want. In fact, your life doesn’t need to change at all if you don’t wish it. Mine certainly will not.”