Free Nina Coombs Pykare by A Daring Dilemma

wrong?”
    Licia twisted her handkerchief in nervous fingers. How was she to say this? “Nothing is wrong. At least, not exactly.”
    The duke sighed. “Then why did Penelope leave us alone in this obvious fashion?”
    There was no help for it. She would have to press on. Dezzie’s future lay in her hands. “Mama . . . Dezzie . . . that is . . . we need your help.”
    He took one of her trembling hands in his own. “You know I should be glad to help you in any way I can.”
    “Yes, yes. I know.” She withdrew her fingers. How could she think with her hand in his? “As you suggested last evening, Dezzie has a decided tendre for your nephew.”
    He nodded. “Yes, and he has fixed his interest on her. Nothing amiss there.”
    She sighed. “I’m afraid there is. Mama will not allow Lockwood’s courtship.”
    “Because she wants your sister to land a bigger fish?”
    “Yes, in fact”—it had to be said—”she wants her to land you.”
    Apparently the thought had not previously occurred to him. His expression was one of stunned amazement. “Me?”
    “Yes, your grace. And as long as you are—available— Mama will not allow Dezzie another suitor.”
    “But I have no interest in marriage. I have said so repeatedly.”
    “Mama hears only what fits her plans. She expects Dezzie to snare you.”
    His frown was frightening. “That woman! Well, she’ll just be disappointed. It will never happen.”
    Licia nodded. “Of course. But Mama is so difficult to dissuade, and Dezzie is much afraid of losing your nephew.”
    “What a bumble broth. And all because your Mama cannot be made to listen to reason.”
    She had no desire to defend Mama. “I know. But Dezzie has come up with a plan.”
    “Dezzie!”
    “Yes, I know. She is scatterbrained. But it is a good plan.”
    His sigh was deep and heartfelt. “So I collect I must hear it.”
    “Dezzie thinks—and so do I—that if you were to fix your interest on some other young woman, escort her about, and appear to court her , Mama might be brought to accept the truth.” There, she had said it, and she did not feel in the least better.
    His eyebrow rose. “I see. But this admirable plan has one fatal flaw.”
    “It has?” She could not think what it could be, but she was glad to hear of it.
    “Indeed. As you know, I don’t hold with the institution of marriage. If I fix my interest on some young woman, she should ultimately be disappointed. Don’t you think it cruel to raise her hopes and then dash them?”
    She saw a glimmer of light. If he would not do it, she might still have his company. “I . . . I had not considered that.”
    “I’ve no desire to have some outraged mama after me.” He frowned thoughtfully. “However, the plan does have merit.”
    “It does?”
    “Yes. And I believe I see a way to put it into action.”
    Her heart fell again. She was going to lose him. “What is it?”
    “There is one young woman who could fill the part. And she would not be hurt because she would be in on the secret from the start.”
    Her mind was a confused whirl. Who was this woman he could trust so? “P-Penelope?” she stammered.
    “Oh, no. That would never wash.” He regarded her soberly. “I am thinking of you.”
    “Me!” She sank down on a nearby bench, joy and fear mingling in her breast in a whirlwind of confusion.
    He settled beside her. “Of course, it would mean much turbulence from your mama. But I believe we could convince her.”
    “We might. She . . . she has already chastised me for wasting your time.”
    He frowned. “Wasting?”
    “Yes, because I talked with you when she wished you to be occupied with Dezzie.”
    He frowned fiercely. “She will have to learn. So, are you willing?”
    “I am willing. But, your grace, I am not young and beautiful. Will the ton believe . . . ”
    He smiled at her in a way that quite weakened her knees. “They will believe,” he promised. “I shall dance constant attendance on you. Act besotted