Julia didn’t quite give him her hand yet, for there was another stipulation she wished to add.
“One more thing, Your Grace.” She paused before uttering the words, ensuring she had his complete attention.
“What is it?”
“There must be no more kisses.”
“No more kisses?” He repeated, putting upon a confused expression. “Were you not the one who kissed me?”
“Yes, but that is beside the point now, is it not? We are in this situation, there is no point in assigning blame,” she insisted, lifting her chin higher.
“I will still maintain that you are the one who kissed me, but… why can’t there be any more kisses?” he asked and reached for her hand. Rather than taking it to shake, he lifted it higher toward his lips, hovering there, as if ready to kiss her hand.
“I said no kisses,” she whispered.
“I am not kissing you, My Lady.” He smiled with the words. “I am merely teasing you.” She could feel the blush growing up her cheeks. Something about his words set a heat on her body, one so strong that she could have sworn it was not leaves beneath her feet, but a fire.
“Then there will be no more teasing.” She pushed their connected hands down before he could kiss her, watching as he fought his chuckle. “We have an accord then, Your Grace? You have a phony betrothed for a few months, until this scandal passes, when you will be free to charm any and every lady that catches your eye.”
“And you will be free to return to your books and your life alone.” His words made her sound rather isolated and lonely. She forced a smile, knowing it was what she had always wanted. “What do you do all day by the way when you are alone? Read?”
“Read, and I volunteer at the orphanage at the end of Covent Garden.”
“You do?” he asked, his eyebrows raised as they stood there with their hands connected.
“Yes. I see it surprises you. Just because I never wanted the company of a rake, Your Grace, does not mean I wanted to live alone. Maybe I just prefer the good company and laughter of children.”
“I see you are going to continue to surprise me. Now, shall we?” He looped her hand through his arm. “Remember, when we tell your parents you have agreed to marry me, you must smile and appear overjoyed!”
As they walked forward, Julia made uncertain sounds.
“Hmm, something tells me I will need to improve my acting skills drastically.” At her side, the Duke of Stapleton laughed.
* * *
“Bloody scandal sheet,” Julie muttered as she threw the paper over her shoulder.
“Oomph!”
Julia whipped round in surprise, seeing poor Maria standing behind her, grabbing the scandal sheet from the air.
“I’m so sorry, Maria,” Julia gushed as she moved to the coat stand to fetch her spencer jacket. “I did not see you thee.”
“I noticed,” Maria said with a giggle as she unfolded the sheet. “What has upset you so? Ah… never mind.”
Julia sighed as she hastened to put on the jacket, glancing back at where her friend was perusing the scandal sheet in heavy thought.
“Have you read this?”
“As much as I could stomach,” Julia said with a sigh. “Who do you think writes such things? As far as I can understand, those responsible are merely so bored with their own lives, that they have to poke fun at others to make themselves smile.”
“I fear you are right. Good Lord,” Maria squeaked as she looked over the words. “‘Lady Julia was caught in a particularly romantic embrace with the Duke of Stapleton, in a corner of the garden so dark that they could not be seen, and they thought their secret would never be discovered.’ How odd,” Maria said looking up.
“What’s odd?” Julia asked as she took back the scandal sheet, rolling it up into a little ball.
“If you had picked such a dark corner, then how could they see you were in a romantic embrace at all?” Maria pointed out with a laugh.
“Yes, I see your point. Writing inaccuracies aside, these things will cause trouble, and upset. Would you burn it for me please, Maria?”