Free Daring Miss Danvers by Vivienne Lorret Page B

happiness with Rathburn.”
    Emma looked away, guilt gnawing at her over the deception. Another gentleman passed by, using the silver handle of his walking stick to tip his hat. Though she didn’t recognize him, she offered the same smile as she had to the other two gentlemen before he walked on.
    “And after last night, your betrothal is being touted as the grand romance of the Season.”
    She’d seen the mention of Viscount R— stealing a flower from Miss D—’s hair in the gossip column this morning. Clearly, it had been a grievous error to make a single alteration to her usual appearance. Yet, receiving the flowers had thrilled her so much that she’d been inspired to wear them. Only Rathburn would dare such a bold flirtation. By sending a bouquet of jasmine flowers, not only did he remind her of their kiss, but he also admitted that he hadn’t forgotten it either. He’d meant to unsettle her, she was certain. However, she’d been so pleased knowing their kiss had lingered with him that she’d suffered a romantic notion to weave those tiny white sprigs into her coiffure.
    Now, she only hoped the dowager wouldn’t think her too flamboyant. Of course, last night she’d seemed to approve, but with the mention in the paper, she might revise her original opinion.
    “All because Rathburn is an outrageous flirt,” she grumbled. Didn’t he realize how his behavior might put his scheme in jeopardy? “I don’t see how his actions caused any difference this year as opposed to any other year. He’s always flouted propriety. I’m surprised he’s allowed in society at all.”
    “There are a good many flaws the ton is willing to overlook when one has a title and one’s uncle is a duke.”
    A fact she knew only too well. If her father had been the son of a duke instead of the third son of a baron, he might never have received the cut direct .
    And she might already be married and therefore unable to aid Rathburn in his scheme.
    Her heart sank as she thought about their deception. “Oh, Penelope, it isn’t what you think,” Emma said, suddenly unable to bear the burden of this lie any longer. “I know I’m not supposed to say anything, but I just have to tell someone.”
    Her friend smiled and squeezed her hand. “That you agreed to marry Rathburn so he could gain his inheritance?”
    “Yes.” She blinked and closed her mouth before her expression drew attention. “How did you know?” She drew out a folded piece of paper from her reticule and handed it to Emma. “I found this on Mr. Weatherstone’s desk and forced him to explain it to me.”
    It was a carefully crafted list, labeling Rathburn’s most pertinent problem and cataloging possible solutions. “It seems that he went over every possible option before making his decision to engage in a mock courtship with me. My name is at the very bottom of the page.” Why that stung, she had no clue.
    “My dear, you’re looking at it all wrong. Don’t you see how everything points to you?” When she shook her head, Penelope sighed. “Don’t you see that yours is the only name on the page? Surely, that must tell you something quite profound.”
    “All it tells me is that he has a single-minded determination to gain his inheritance.” Once he had it, he’d no longer see her as any sort of option. Not that it bothered her. It was just . . . she was beginning to wonder, and not for the first time, how she would manage to escape this mock betrothal unscathed. Because, while she professed to disapprove of Rathburn, that wasn’t entirely accurate. In fact, the truth was far more complicated than she cared to think about.
    Reputation notwithstanding, she was actually beginning to worry about her heart.
    “Or perhaps the inheritance is simply an excuse, and his single-minded determination has everything to do with you.”
    “Penelope Weatherstone,” Emma tsked. “It’s quite obvious marriage has gone to your head.”
    She beamed, her eyes dancing.