He was not certain he had the stomach for such a realization.
"What is going on between you and my sister? You seem to be on speaking terms once again. I did not think you accepted my offer of friendship," Malcolm Howard stated at his side as he too came to watch thetonat play.
"I did not acceptyouroffer of friendship. The offer from your sister was, however, accepted. If only to prove to her that she knows the truth. And that you are indeed announced the villain in her story and near ruination in society."
"She will never believe you," Malcolm spat, two red dots forming on his cheeks. "I am her brother, and she loves me. You are nothing but a bad memory who left her in London for six years. She will never forgive you."
"Maybe not," Logan stated matter-of-fact. "But that does not mean I will not try to prove my innocence. She deserves to know it was her sibling's ridiculousness that caused her so much pain. Not me."
Malcolm narrowed his eyes, checking on the whereabouts of his sister before he said, "Why do you wish to cause strife after so many years? Can you not leave the past and what happened where it is, so my sister is not devastated a second time?"
"By a thief and liar, similar traits that killed your parents. I know she will be heartbroken to know that her brother had fallen into the same category, but it is for the best. Now that Sutton is older, she will eventually forgive you. Of course, it would have been difficult when she was so much younger, with less life experience, the death of your parents so much fresher, but that is no longer the case. You should not have allowed your friend, her one prospect for a match, to take your fall or continue to do so."
Logan shook his head, anger thrumming through him all over again at the memory of being termed the bad guy. He was the last person on earth who would ever hurt Sutton on purpose. "I will have her forgiveness, and she will believe me, whether we merely remain friends or become more, know that as the truth. I will not remain the wicked suitor here. I refuse to be your out any longer."
"You bastard. I ought to call you out for your assumptions against my sister."
Logan shrugged. He was a better shot than Malcolm, and the man ought to be mad and afraid, for he would have Sutton believe him, no matter where her future led. "Do your worst. You will merely give me the pleasure of shooting your lying ass just as you deserve."
Malcolm finished his drink and stormed off, heading toward his wife, who watched their interaction with interest. Logan dipped his head in greeting to her, grinning when she blushed at his attention.
Silly chit, she was a fool to have married Malcolm. A man who had thetonduped as the wealthy, kind landowner from Kent without a besmirched reputation, so unlike Logan's. Not the cheating, lying bastard that he was.
Logan seemed to be known as a rake, a rogue who teased debutantes into thinking and dreaming of futures he would never offer.
He would offer one fortunate lady his hand, and then he would return to his country estate and stay there. Content to never return to town. Sutton finished her dance and rejoined him, her face flushed with pleasure from her turn about the room.
"Already, I have seen an improvement in the number of gentlemen paying me court. I wonder how many will call on me tomorrow."
"I should think a great many," he quipped, pleased she was happy with her progress, not that he had done much. Not really. Once again, they were on friendly terms, an easier feat than he had first thought, but other than that, he had done very little. "Would you like me to call on you also? I am at your disposal, as per our terms."
She was quiet a moment, thinking over his suggestion. "I think that would be most welcome. If you're there early, then the other gentlemen will see your interest and act accordingly. Mayhap they will even be tempted to ask me to marry them."
Logan frowned at the idea. It was too soon to be thinking of marriage, surely. The Season had only just begun, and the gentlemen only starting to show their interest. "Are there any gentlemen in particular whom you would welcome above any others?" he asked her, unsure if he really wanted to know the answer to his question.
"Not yet." She bit her bottom lip, and heat rushed through his blood. He tore his gaze away, forcing himself to keep watch on the dancing couples. "Lord Ridley has danced with me several times already this Season and is kind and well-placed in society. I have not heard bad things about him. What do you know of the gentleman?"
The conversation was similar to their discussions of old when they were friends. Before that friendship grew and formed into so much more. A friendship that turned them into wanting more from each other—so much so— they had lain together.
Their association now was not real. Not really. They had a deal, and he needed to remind himself of that whenever he longed for more. He was disappointed with her, he repeated in his mind.
Help her find a husband, enable the friendship to help you gain a wife, and be done with it.
"What I know of Lord Ridley is the same as you've heard. He is not unkind, does not have a reputation for debauchery, nor do I believe he has a mistress. He would be a suitable gentleman for you," he stated, swallowing the bile that rose in his throat.
She smirked up at him before chuckling. "You looked pained, my lord. I hope you're not regretting our deal?"
He shook his head. "I will not renege on our agreement if that is what you're concerned about. I told you our renewed friendship would help us both become more appealing to those in need of husbands and wives."
"Not to mention you helping me with myWallflower’s Guide, so I may lose that title this Season."
"Touché," he said. "Shall we take a turn about the room, converse with other couples and guests? I think it would be best if we did not stand here all evening and have only each other for company."
Sutton wrapped her hand about his arm. "You are right. Lead on, and we shall circulate for a time."
For over an hour, they made their way about the room, talking with matrons, debutantes, and newly engaged or married couples of both their acquaintances. There were numerous raised brows at them being together, but overall, their turn about the room was successful, and Logan believed they may pull off the ruse after all and both have successful Seasons.
He watched Sutton flirt and laugh with gentlemen who were not engaged, and a knot of dread settled in his gut. For all their plans and agreements, the thought of Sutton bedding any of the gentlemen left a vile taste in his mouth.