Free Suzi Love by Embracing Scandal Page B

of pain to his heart.
    “The obvious solution is to join forces. If we attend the same events, our search will proceed faster. And you can’t dispute that your sisters would benefit from being accompanied by a duke. Plus, I would be on hand to protect all of you.”
    “What a ridiculous idea. If you are constantly in our presence, it will cause gossip. People will assume you are courting one of my sisters.”
    He gave her a smug smile. “Not if we announce that you are my betrothed.”
    “Betrothed? Me?” Becca gaped at him. “Preposterous. Who would believe such a thing?”
    She glanced down at her morning gown and frowned. Having recently been in Paris, he recognised it as not being of the latest fashion. The Jamison’s strained finances may have restricted the ladies spending on their gowns recently, but their garments were tasteful and of good quality. Somebody in the family knew how to stretch their money while still keeping up appearances. Probably Becca.
    “I’m me and you’re Sherwyn, a man of importance and wealth.”
    “Nonsense. You’re the daughter of an Earl and your pedigree is as blue-blooded as mine. If it’s the outlay stopping you, I’ll bear the expenses for you and your sisters. For gowns, shoes, and such.”
    Her eyes flashed. “No. You. Will. Not. I’ve made-” She swallowed hard. “Michael recently made a tidy profit on some investments. Our family is not short of coin.”
    “Good, then it’s settled.” Having enticed his prey into the trap, the hunter moved in for the kill. “You, and your family, will purchase all the finery necessary to attend various social events as my future bride.”
    “Absolutely not. If we must attend, it will be as family friends. We will inform people that you are kindly escorting my sisters in lieu of an available male family member. Not as your future anything.”
    “Very well. I’ll make it known I’m courting you in an attempt to win your hand.”
    “I said escorting. Not courting.”
    “A fine distinction that doesn’t signify. I’ll arrange for all the necessary invitations.”
    Her hands went to her hips. “I’ll need to see them in advance to decide which I’ll have time to attend. Pressing matters of finance for the women’s society require my attention.”
    He ignored her and kept talking. “We shall be attending two events this evening. Then the Townsend’s ball on Thursday. Next of course, the ill-fated house party.”
    “Impossible! We cannot be ready by tonight.”
    “I’m sure that four industrious Jamison women can produce something suitable. I’ll collect you at eight. Don’t be late.”
    To hide his smugly satisfied smile, he turned and strode to the door. His disagreeable friend had been so busy arguing the larger points that his small victory slipped past her defences.
    He lengthened his stride, eager to escape unscathed. He’d dearly love to see the look upon her face when she realised he’d tricked her, but his life would be in peril.
    “Oh, and Becca — ” He halted and turned to look over his shoulder at her, unable to resist delivering the last word straight to her face. “Any man that prefers either of your sisters over you, is a complete fool.” He waited, enjoyed her gasp of surprise. “And I … am not a fool.”
    • • •
    Closing the drawing room door behind him, Cayle raised a finger to his lips to silence the footman. Waited. Listened. A loud crash signalled a piece of china hitting the door. He hoped it wasn’t priceless. The language emitting through the wood panelling turned the rough-looking footman’s face red and he offered an apology.
    “Lady Jamison shows a right foul temper when roused, Your Grace. She learned such language from doin’ business with them trollops. Most of a time, my lady is as cool as still-room ale, but ‘appenings in this ‘ere ‘ouse at the moment, be enough to try a saint.”
    Cayle grinned. “By the sound of that — ” They flinched as another piece of