Читать книгу An Experiment in Love - Louise Allen - Страница 7

Chapter Three

Chloe was a rational woman. A scientist. Intellectually she knew she was unlikely to melt because a handsome man was caressing her chin, but it felt uncomfortably as though she was about to test the theory. She realised Kit had asked her a question.

‘You are in a difficult position and I can help you. James said you needed a prior engagement and a reason to keep it quiet. The scandal over my sister Penelope’s engagement would work. How could I be celebrating my own betrothal when poor Penny has broken off with Andrew White?’

‘Strong-minded lady, your sister.’

‘Of course! She found the beast having an orgy with Lady Isobel Jervis and she is still very upset.’

Kit released her chin. ‘That’s better. You had a smudge.’

Wonderful. ‘Thank you.’ I think. Her skin still tingled.

‘I agree your suggestion is feasible and would certainly convince Squire Woolmer, but what benefit is there for you?’

‘The knowledge that I had prevented an unhappy marriage taking place? The gratification of assisting an old friend of James’s?’

‘It seems rather a drastic way of offering help.’ His gaze moved to the stacks of books, the papers and the tray of rocks beside her chair. ‘Surely there is a gentleman who wishes to fix his interest with you?’ he asked. ‘I have no wish to be called out.’

‘There is no one else. You are perfectly safe.’ That brought the colour up over his cheekbones and she realised it must seem as though she doubted his courage. ‘I mean, there is no danger you would be hurting anyone.’

‘No? What about you?’

He was admirably scrupulous. ‘There is no risk to me.’ Liar.

‘Would we convince anyone?’ Kit still seemed doubtful. ‘What do we have in common?’

‘We don’t have to tell anyone except the Woolmers.’ He frowned at that, and she could see he might have scruples about the deception. They could discuss details later, but, after all, this would just be a temporary thing, until Antonia Woolmer fixed her interest elsewhere, and then they could discreetly ‘discover’ that they did not suit.

‘We are both intelligent and well-bred so Mr Woolmer would not be surprised at an engagement between us on, er…dynastic, grounds. Of course, people do say I am eccentric, but I assure you I have been trained to run a large household and I do not spend all my time hitting rocks with a hammer. He will see that I’m plain, and that might surprise him because you are known to be a high-stickler…’

‘You are no such thing.’ Kit frowned at her, doubtless searching for some feature he could compliment her upon and finding himself stymied by spectacles, wayward brown hair, freckles from being outdoors without a hat and, unlike her siblings, an undistinguished nose. ‘And I’m known to be what?

‘You must admit that you only flirt with the loveliest women.’

‘I —’

‘Thought I heard your voice, Chloe.’ It was James, head tilted to one side as he worked out who was in the room and where. ‘What are you doing? Keeping poor Kit from his brandy?’

‘Not at all,’ Kit said. He sounded a trifle strained, but that must be the effect of having to remain polite in the face of her proposition, instead of laughing his head off. ‘Lady Chloe, would you excuse us? I need to ask James’s permission.’

‘Permission?’ But she was of age and knew her own mind perfectly well and this was only pretence, after all.

‘About the matter we were just discussing, my dear.’ My what? But the flat of his hand, lightly against her back, urged her towards the open door. ‘We can discuss it again after dinner.’

And then she was outside, staring at the unyielding oak panels. Faintly she heard James’s voice. ‘You want to do what?’