Page 11

GREYSON

That petulant shriek went a long way toward convincing me I’d made the right decision in pursuing this course of action. Allowing the world to believe I was courting the elder Miss Sullivan was going to shift attention away from me. With any luck, right to Fairfax, who was being insufferable when it came to my current plight.

As I helped Claire into the carriage, I realized we’d left in such a hurry that she hadn’t had time to don gloves. Unfortunately, the same wasn’t true for me. When she placed her hand in mine, I couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to hold her delicate hand without the thin barrier of leather between us.

I brushed away the errant thought. Clearly, I’d been without female companionship far too long. But then another thought occurred to me. If I was going to be playing the role of a besotted admirer, I couldn’t very well take care of my physical needs with another woman.

If word spread, and it would, the effort I was going to now would be undermined. As soon as that first rumor was printed in The Mayfair Chronicle, everyone would assume Claire wasn’t up to the challenge of holding my interest. They’d redouble their efforts in their pursuit of being the next woman to capture the heart of a Legend.

Claire had settled next to Caroline, who greeted her with a warm smile, and I took the seat opposite the pair. The carriage was already beginning to move when I performed the introductions.

“Miss Sullivan, I’d like you to meet Lady Caroline Kendrick. Caroline, this is Miss Sullivan.”

Caroline smiled widely at Claire. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Please do me the honor of calling me by my Christian name.”

Claire seemed a little unsettled at the speed with which our pretend courtship was progressing. She inclined her head and murmured that Caroline should do the same.

Caroline grinned at me. “Isn’t this cozy, the three of us here together?”

My gaze rested on Claire. She turned from our chaperone, tilting her head at me in question. Without having said a word, I knew what she was thinking. She wanted to know whether Caroline was aware of our pretense.

I leaned back and crossed my arms, wondering what she was going to do next. Amusement filled me when her brows drew together before she widened her eyes comically as if to say, are you going to answer my question?

Caroline must have been watching the exchange because she shook her head and laughed. “I’m so glad I’m here to see this. The legendary wives fought over who would have this honor. For once, the fact that most people know me by sight has worked to my advantage.”

Claire licked her lips, and I had to force my eyes away from her mouth. Why hadn’t I noticed how plump her lips were before now?

“Legendary wives?” Claire asked.

Caroline lifted one shoulder. “That is how our modiste refers to us. We’ve decided to adopt the name amongst the three of us.” She leaned a little closer and lowered her voice. “It is most amusing being married to a Legend. I’m sure you’ll discover that for yourself soon enough.”

Claire’s gaze swung to me again, and it took a great deal of effort to hold back my amusement.

“Do you have a question you’d like to ask me?” I said.

Caroline laughed. “The two of you are ridiculous. Since he seems intent on tormenting you, I’ll answer on his behalf. Yes, Greyson has told me what you’re up to.”

Claire looked at Caroline and then back to me. “So you told her…”

I nodded. “Yes, Caroline knows we are just pretending.”

Claire let out a breath and sank back against the seat cushion. “I’m so glad to hear that. I must admit, I don’t think I’m ready for all this subterfuge.”

I leaned forward. “You’ll need to prepare yourself for when we reach the park and everyone sees us together. Do you think you can pretend to find me tolerable?”

She took a few moments to consider the question and then shrugged. “I can try. But have you considered that it’s most likely everyone will think I’m here as Caroline’s friend? I doubt they’ll believe you’re courting me.

“You have a point,” I said, tapping my mouth. “We’ll need to ensure that isn’t the case.”

We were approaching the gates to Hyde Park, and only a small number of carriages were lined up to enter. The fashionable hour was only just beginning. Shortly, the park would become crowded.

Caroline linked her arm through Claire’s. “People are already turning to look at us. Perhaps we should shake things up.”

Claire’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”

Caroline lowered her voice. “I have a little bit of experience with pretend courtships. Have no fear.”

With a nod to me, we switched positions so that Caroline was now seated opposite the two of us, and I was seated next to Claire.