CHAPTER6
“Neither you nor I wish to marry, and we do not have to. All we merely need to do is pretend to be betrothed whilst the scandal runs its course. The whispers will die down fast if they think we are to marry.”
The Duke was clearly excited by the prospect, stepping toward Julia another time. “We wait until another scandal comes along. With the ton, it would not be very long, then we can pretend our betrothal simply ran its course and we are parting ways further down the line. I return to my ways; you can live your life alone as you wish. What do you say?”
Julia stood still in thought, watching the Duke closely. He was excited by his idea, that was plain to see in the tension of his body and how he was staring at her.
“I do not know,” she murmured eventually.
“Why not?” he asked with a heavy sigh.
“Because it would be a difficult ruse to pull off indeed. They already believe you to be a rake, Your Grace. They’ll suspect you of a wandering eye from the start.”
“It would not be the first time a rake had settled down.” The Duke shrugged, as if it would be no great deal.
“I suppose…”
“Does that mean you will do it?” The Duke stepped toward her again. She stepped back, needing space to think. She paced up and down through the leaves, kicking them around her ankles in thought.
“If we do this, then we must have some rules.”
“What rules?” the Duke asked.
“For starters, you can no longer have a wandering eye.” She glared at him at she uttered the words. “You cannot charm different ladies at a different assembly every night.”
“Was I ever that obvious?” he asked with a laugh. When she narrowed her gaze, he held up his hands in surrender. “As you wish.”
“If people are to believe you are to marry, then you cannot pursue other women, in public or behind closed doors, for fear it will start more rumors.”
“Yes, that is wise. I accept that rule. Any others?” the Duke asked, rubbing his hands together with excitement.
“We are just getting started, Your Grace.” Julia smiled as she walked round him, looking him up and down in thought.
“I’m starting to feel like a prize pig at a country fair. Are you taking my measurements, Lady Julia?”
“I am considering how much you look like a courting man,” she said as she continued her circle around him. “You must send flowers.”
“Flowers!?” He looked horrified at the idea. “Something tells me you’d rather have books than flowers.”
“I probably would,” she said with a giggle, startled he knew this piece of information about her, “but courting couples do flowers, betrothed couples certainly do, so we will too.”
“Very well.”
“We shall also have to spend time together in public.”
“Agreed.” The Duke held up a hand. “Where you will have to laugh at my jokes and look so in love with me that God himself could not drive us apart.”
“Do you judge yourself to be greater than God?” Julia asked with a giggle, finishing her circle of him as she came to stand in front of him again.
“What man wouldn’t want to be God in a woman’s eyes?” He put on a mocking voice, showing he was jesting. Julia bit her lip to stop herself from laughing too much.
He has a habit of making me laugh.
“And you must smile.” He lifted a hand and gestured to her bitten lip. “No hiding smiles and laughter with me.”
“As you wish.” She nodded.
“Then we have an accord?” He offered his hand to her, as if he was dealing with some gentleman in making a business deal.