Page 31 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

Bess flicked the scandal sheet away as if it were a bug. “You haven’t been that man for years. Don’t let your past define you.”

“Despite your encouraging words, the ton has already seen to that. And now my folly as a youth might put Elizabeth at risk.”

Bess patted his hand. “Don’t be silly, Jasper. Once you wed her, any question of her reputation will be laid to rest.”

Jasper nodded.

“You do love her, don’t you?” Bess asked.

“I’m engaged to her.”

Bess lifted a brow. “That isn’t an answer and you well know it.”

“Of course.” Jasper gave her an easy smile. Because he did know very well he hadn’t given her an answer and therefore was not lying.

A bird landed on the window ledge, its feathers iridescent in the glint of sunlight, and Bess sucked in a breath, hastily grabbing for her little notebook.

Jasper accepted the reprieve from the conversation and enjoyed a pastry, one that actually melted in his mouth as he ate it. The cook really had taken advantage of Jasper’s busy schedule. He would do as Bess suggested and stay on him to continue his efforts after she eventually returned to the country. Which might not be for a while if she remained until the engagement was broken.

But even with the idea of breaking the engagement, Jasper and Elizabeth first had to make the ton believe they truly did love one another. That Elizabeth had not been a woman Jasper had merely seduced as a conquest.

Not that he’d ever been that man, but the ton made of a bad reputation what they liked.

And if he did not play his cards right with this, they would do the same to Elizabeth.

8

Elizabeth arrived downstairs to a bouquet of hothouse lilacs and her father’s scowling face.

“I wish I’d known about Darington’s proposal,” Papa said. “I might have declined his offer for your hand in marriage.” He huffed an angry growl.

He shoved the newssheet toward her and nausea rolled through her as she read the sordid details of how she and Jasper had been found together in the semi-dark study. Everyone would be speaking of this for weeks.

She put a hand out to steady herself. How were they to fix this?

Papa indicated a full bouquet of lilacs. “He sent these for you with a note that he would come to collect you at quarter past four this afternoon for a ride through Hyde Park.”

“You read her note?” Grace asked, horrified.

“This is my house,” Papa said, red-faced with an unaccustomed show of anger. “I’ll read any missive any of my daughters receive from any gentleman I feel the need to call into question.”

But Elizabeth was not vexed by his invasion of her privacy. Second to her gnawing malcontent at the ton being privy to her and Jasper being in the study alone, she was also concerned with the idea of Jasper coming by to take her on a carriage ride through Hyde Park. That would be during the fashionable hour, when people were out to be seen. She and Jasper would be alone together, in an open carriage, of course, so people would know the outing was innocent. But he would be acting again with those charming smiles, doting endearments, and deep gazes that threatened to steal her heart.

“The fashionable hour in Hyde Park,” Kitty exclaimed, her eyes alight with the excitement of a young woman enamored by everything in her first season. For her, society was a secret world of glittering balls and stunning gowns and romance waiting to sweep her off her feet. “What will you wear?”

Before Elizabeth could worry that she hadn’t a single stylish thing to wear for the fashionable hour, Grace sat up straight. “I have just thing for you.”

By the time Jasper arrived at quarter after four, Elizabeth was cinched into a peony-pink velvet jacket and skirt over a cream-colored bodice with a matching hat. Though Elizabeth had always protested such fripperies, she could not deny that in such a fine gown, she felt beautiful.

Even more so when Jasper’s eyes widened at her appearance and a slow, appreciative grin showed on his handsome face. “You look lovely.”

She nodded her thanks and allowed him to lead her to the open carriage.

Perhaps she ought to let her mother talk her into such gowns at her next fitting, or have Grace and Kitty join her at the modiste.

The day was warm, thanks to the sun high overhead tempering the icy wind sweeping off the Serpentine. Still, the chill nipped at their faces and left Jasper’s nose and cheeks red.

“I know you did not intend to see me until the engagement party,” Jasper said when they’d rolled away out of earshot. “But I believe we must keep up appearances given the article.” He grimaced. “You did see it, I presume?”