Free An Improper Proposal (The Distinguished Rogues Book 6) by Heather Boyd

around the park unescorted.”
    Whitney sighed. “Ill tempered at odd moments but I assure you, Lord Louth is a perfectly rational gentleman in all other respects.”
    “Perfectly amiable,” she agreed swiftly.
    Miss Crewe began to laugh. “Oh, don’t say such horridly bland things about my cousin. He deserves a better description, surely.”
      Iris glanced swiftly at Louth’s cousin in confusion and found the woman grinning. “I beg your pardon?”
    The girl fussed with her gown. “Come now, I would have waited outside longer so you and my cousin could continue your fascinating conversation about why he won’t bed you, but Gibbs was looking at me strangely so I had no choice but to barge in and pretend I hadn’t heard a word. I apologize if I interrupted precipitously, and promise I will endeavor to provide further opportunity for privacy at a later date. He must like you a great deal or he’d never have met with you without a chaperone present.”
    A blush swept up her face. “You heard it all?”
    Miss Crewe winked. “But never would I breathe a word. I just want you to know you do not need to pretend indifference to my cousin around me. He is a generous man but like all men, can be ridiculously blinkered.”
    Iris did not know what to say to that but she was relieved Miss Crewe was not at all scandalized by what she’d overheard. But she wouldn’t be so friendly if she knew what she’d done to others in society. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    When she heard Lord Louth returning she was vastly relieved. Miss Crewe noticed too much for her comfort.
    “The carriage will be a moment or two more,” he assured them.
    “A slow carriage trip?” Miss Crewe threw a pained expression at him but then turned and winked at Iris again. “Martin, you are being a bore but at least we will have Miss Hedley’s presence to add some excitement to the day. We should have invited her to visit long before this so we do not grow bored with each other’s company, as we often do.”
    The suggestion sounded so reasonable as it came out of Miss Crewe’s mouth, but given the girl had overheard her conversation with Louth, there was no way she could dismiss the calculated potential for dalliance. Iris counted that a blessing.

Six

    The empress, as he’d once privately dubbed Iris years ago when her father had the funds, was in her element riding through Hyde Park in his carriage. It seemed impossible for her to belong anywhere other than in society, in his opinion. However, with Whitney at her side and grinning like a loon, he wasn’t sure if his decision to accompany them was in his best interests. The two seemed to be becoming fast friends on this ride, but he was afraid, given the sly glances in his direction, that Whitney was also very likely up to something.
    He hoped she was not leading Iris to believe there might be more between them. He couldn’t bear to see her hurt. He could not court or wed her. He couldn’t be her protector either. He wanted only to be her friend and divert her from the folly of her own making.
    He settled more comfortably against the squabs of his barouche and let his gaze fall on Iris, as it had done constantly since leaving his home. Iris again fidgeted with her pale-gray gloves that matched her carriage dress. Pretty, and proper, and unbelievably desirable. The earlier kiss had affected him more than it should have and he cursed his foolishness for indulging in the unnecessary lesson. He felt on edge. Certain he was making a mistake in giving in to this attraction. She had felt very good in his arms.
    Unfortunately, he could not walk away and let her education be taken over by another man. The very idea sent his temper soaring.
    “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked her quietly, when Whitney’s attention was drawn to a passing carriage containing artist friends of hers.
    “Yes, my lord. A carriage ride in the park is always an enjoyable outing.” Her genuine smile encouraged his.