Page 78 of His Wicked Charm

“Do I?” Lilah let her smile broaden.

“Chipper!” Sir Jasper exclaimed. “I say, Moreland, have you no eyes? Delilah, you look worn through.”

Con brows rose, but he made no comment.

“Why, thank you, Sir Jasper. It’s nice to know I look haggard.”

“I did not mean—of course you look lovely. You could appear nothing else. But it’s clear you have taxed yourself. I fear these late hours are too much for your constitution.”

“My constitution is fine, Sir Jasper.”

“Now, now,” he said in a jovial tone. “I can’t have you coming down ill now, can I?”

Con cleared his throat and settled back to watch. Lilah fixed her coolest look on Sir Jasper. “You ‘can’t have’ it? I fail to see what business it is of yours.”

Jasper blinked. “Well, um, that is...” He shot a resentful glance at Con, as if he had caused the problem.

Lilah pushed her tea away. “Con, if you would excuse us, I believe Sir Jasper and I need to have a discussion.”

Con looked from Lilah to Jasper and back. “But of course.” He rose to his feet, snagging a piece of bacon from his plate, and strolled from the room. “Ruggins, I believe we aren’t needed here.”

The butler followed him, and Lilah closed the door. She turned back to Sir Jasper, who had risen to his feet.

“Thank you, Lilah, for asking that chap to leave. It’s time to put a stop to his hanging about. The attentions of a duke’s son are doubtless flattering, but it will cause talk if he remains here. And your Aunt Vesta is, um, well, not someone whom I would consider an adequate chaperone.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I assure you, it is unwarranted. And unwelcome.” Lilah felt her hand knotting into a fist by her side and unclenched it. “I don’t know what Aunt Helena told you that caused you to visit.”

“Mrs. Summersley is naturally worried about you being here with a man of a certain reputation paying court to you and only Mrs. LeClaire to chaperone.”

“Constantine Moreland is not ‘paying court’ to me. He is related by marriage to my dearest friend and is a friend to me, as well.” Lilah ignored his dismissive grunt. “Moreover, I have never heard of him putting a young lady’s good name in danger.”

“He has no substance, no gravitas. His father may be a duke, but it’s well-known that his entire family is peculiar.”

“I might remind you that the Holcutt family is not known for its normality.”

“That is why it’s especially important that you and I are careful not to lend credence to the rumors.”

“There is no ‘you and I,’” Lilah snapped, goaded.

He smiled benignly. “I hope that condition will change.”

“There is no reason to.”

“Delilah, my dear, you are young. It’s entirely understandable that you enjoy the round of parties, the attention of many young gentlemen. But such things cannot go on forever. You will soon embark on your adult life. A woman on her own has no place in the world. She must have a husband to protect and take care of her, children to nurture, a home to call her own.”

“I have a home to call my own. We’re standing in it. And I don’t need someone to protect or take care of me.”

“My dear...” His smile, his tone, were so patient and condescending that it made Lilah clench her teeth.

“Sir Jasper! If Aunt Helena gave you reason to hope your suit would be successful, I am truly sorry. She had no right to encourage you.”

He looked taken aback. “But, Lilah...we make an excellent match. It will reunite our lands. I am devoted to you.”

“I don’t love you, and I’m certain that you don’t love me either.”

“I am most fond of you, my dear, and I’m sure in time you will come to feel the same.”

“I doubt it, as I am growing less fond of you by the moment.” Lilah drew in a calming breath. “I’m sorry to be discourteous, but my subtler efforts haven’t been met with success. So I must tell you as directly as possible that I have no intention of marrying you. Now or ever.”