Chapter 8

"Idid not think you were serious," Leah mumbled in a low voice, as she walked with Nathaniel through the winter gardens where hardy blooms were just starting to flower: pretty blue and white ‘Glory of the Snow,' reddish-hued heather, purple cyclamen, yellow winter aconites, and a row of winter-flowering cherry trees that had not yet blossomed. There were also pots of green shrubs that would explode into the dark red and white petals of the Helleborus when winter finally came. They were Leah's favorites though she was rarely there when the time arrived for them to bloom.

"Ah… but I thought you were entirely serious," Nathaniel replied. "Have I made a grave mistake?"

She peered up at him, annoyed by the sweet anxiety in his eyes; they made him appear even more handsome, which was rather unfair when she was trying to make a very important decision about the next few months. "Not a mistake, but I assumed you would write to me first, so we could decide together."

"I did not want any rumors circulating," he told her gently. "It is my understanding, drawn from your very lips, that you have had quite enough of unkind rumors."

She could not argue with that though the mention of her lips made her feel suddenly defensive, as if she should be telling him not to take any notice of her lips.

"Although, I have also been hearing about a ‘Spinsters' Club,' and I must say, I am intrigued," he continued, startling her. "You must tell me everything. Who are these bold and glorious spinsters, so dedicated to their pursuit of freedom that they would take pride in the title? Is your leader the venerable Countess of Grayling? I might request to join myself."

Leah laughed despite herself. "I wish she was our leader!" She clasped a hand to her chest, her heart overflowing with admiration for the mysterious and awe-inspiring Countess of Grayling—a woman who had petitioned the Royal Court and won the right to keep her title without a husband—a living one, at least—in sight. "Why, I have often said so to my friends though none of us can decide if a widow is the same as a spinster. Then again, one of us is now married, so all rules are somewhat changeable."

"I have privileged knowledge that the Countess is planning to host the most extravagant ball of the season. A winter spectacular," Nathaniel mentioned, smiling. "You shall have to join me as my guest. Your friends, too."

Leah gasped. "Do you know her?"

"We are acquainted," he replied. "I lent my support to her petition when countless others were too afraid, or too outraged, to do so. As such, I have a lifelong invitation to any gatherings she decides to host."

Leah's eyes widened, her heart swelling in her chest as she gazed up at him. "Are you teasing me?"

"Not at all." He frowned, his expression almost offended. "She had every right to that title. It was hers by marriage, and there were no heirs of any kind, so why should it be taken away just because her husband died? Goodness, he was a wretched man, too."

Leah chewed her lower lip, thinking. "If it were not for my cousins, I might be tempted to petition the Royal Court. Although, the shock would probably kill my father if I even suggested it."

"If you were ever to decide to be like your heroine, you would have my support," he said, his smile returning.

Heat warmed Leah's cheeks, forcing her to turn her gaze away. "I could never."

"You never know," he insisted. "Now, tell me more of this traitor."

Her gaze snapped back to him. "Traitor?"

"You said one of your fellow spinsters is now married. How did that happen? Do not tell me she was forced into it, or I shall become quite angry."

Leah furrowed her brow, struggling to make sense of the handsome, charming man walking at her side. Even for a pretend suitor, he seemed rather too good to be true, yet she could not find the flaw in him. Perhaps, his avoidance of marriage was the flaw.

"She married the Marquess of Bridfield. Olivia is her name, and she is not a traitor; she merely… fell in love." Leah smiled, wishing she could see her friend and tell her everything about the strange events of the past day. "It was a surprise, but as long as she is happy, we will always champion her."

Suddenly, Nathaniel burst out laughing. "Your friend is Evan's wife?"

"You know the Marquess?" Leah blinked, wondering what on Earth was going on. Had the world shrunk?

He nodded. "Distantly."

"Of course… you said you were friends with Daniel." Leah could have smacked herself. "I did not even think to make the connection."

He patted her hand gently. "It is quite all right. I did not think the world was so minuscule, either." He chuckled, once again making her wonder if he could read her mind. "You are right, though—that marriage was a surprise. I only recently found out about it, and I was astonished. I thought Evan was like me, a stout avoider of the entire thing."

"I would suggest making your own club of bachelors, but I believe that is referred to as ‘society,' so there would not be much use in it," Leah suggested, somewhat emboldened.

Nathaniel snorted. "You are a wit, Lady Leah. I think we shall have a very entertaining season together." He paused. "That is, assuming you are agreeable to the arrangement? We still need to write that contract. Did your hands recover?"

"My hands?" That defensive bristle ran through her again, her chest seizing. Was he looking at her hands, too?

He smiled. "They were soaked in ink the last time I saw you. I wondered if the ink had also soaked into your skin, and if you had managed to scrub them clean."

"Well, you should not be wondering that," she spluttered, tensing. "My hands are fine. A little smudged still, but otherwise fine."

"I am pleased to hear it." He hesitated. "I meant no offense, Lady Leah. You do not have to be nervous around me. My intention in this is very specific—to distract my mother for a while and nothing more."

Leah sucked in an unsteady breath. "I apologize. Of course, I know that." She took another breath for good measure. "But you must understand that I am… unaccustomed to the company of gentlemen. It shall take me some time to become comfortable with this arrangement, even though it is pretend."

"Of course," he said softly. "If I can, in any way, make it easier, do let me know. I could put on a high-pitched voice and imitate your friends if you prefer. I cannot wear a dress, I am afraid, as that might raise too many eyebrows, but I can be a friend to you."

Leah laughed. "You are sillier than I thought you would be."

"Because I am a duke?" He feigned a sigh. "It says rather a lot about the state of a society if a duke cannot also be a jester."

Leah walked on, not quite knowing what to say to that. To fill the silence, she let go of his hand and crouched down to observe a small bee crawling across the colorful petals of a blue pansy.

"It is too late in the season for you," she whispered, worried for the creature. "You ought to return to your hive before you freeze."

She realized a moment too late that she had spoken aloud, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. Nathaniel probably thought she was quite mad, cooing at a bee as if it were a cherished dog.

"The warmth of this past week must be confusing it," Nathaniel said behind her. "It can happen, but I am certain it will return to the hive before it gets too cold. Do you favor bees?"

She glanced back, bemused by his endearing smile. "I do. They work so hard; how can anyone not favor them?"

"My brother is going to adore you." Nathaniel chuckled, offering his hand to help her up.

"You have a brother?"

He nodded. "He is seven-and-ten, serving the last year of his sentence at Eton." A grin cracked his face. "If permitted, he will talk for days about bees and butterflies and flowers and trees and every bit of nature you could imagine. So, if you are not averse to this entire endeavor, perhaps I could introduce you?"

"Is that your wily way of trying to get an answer from me?" Leah knew she had been delaying, but with good reason—she still did not know if it was a good idea or if it would put her back to where she was three years ago in society's eyes.

Nathaniel tilted his head from side to side. "Maybe."

"Very well, then I… consent to this arrangement," she said, thinking ahead to the first events of the season. "But we shall have to pause at my study to prepare that contract. It must be signed, so there can be no confusion about the nature of this."

Nathaniel brought her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "Let us spill more ink onto those fingertips, Lady Leah, though I hope we manage to get the majority of it onto paper this time." He paused. "Why were your hands covered in ink?" She told him and he smiled, nodding in approval. "Kind as well as a savior to my cause. You are turning out to be quite a remarkable discovery, Lady Leah. I look forward to finding out everything there is to know about my pretend beloved."

"Only what I decide to tell you," she reminded him, feeling shy. "And, of course, the favor must be returned."

He let go of her hand. "Certainly, though the same rules shall apply."

"Why, are there things about you that you would not want me to know?" she teased, for aside from the occasionally flirtatious remark, there seemed to be no blemish in this man's character whatsoever.

For a moment, his expression darkened. "I think we all have secrets, do we not?"

"Yes… I suppose we do." She frowned, but the flicker of darkness had gone, replaced by his kindly smile once more. Perhaps, she had imagined it. "So, pertaining to our arrangement, are there any particular gatherings that will require my attendance?" She was eager to change the subject, somewhat unnerved by the flash of shadow she had seen in him.

He nodded slowly. "The Countess of Grayling's ball. And Sir Christopher Lansdowne's festive party. Those are the only two where my mother will undoubtedly wish to be present though it would be best if we were seen together as often as possible."

"In that case, I shall need you to attend Mr. and Mrs. Dibney's dinner party next week," Leah said, remembering that she had agreed to go. "Now that Jonathan has returned from his business ventures, he will undoubtedly be in attendance, and I would very much like to eat without having to see his conceited face staring smugly at me."

Nathaniel put his hand to his heart. "I shall not disappoint. I am an expert when it comes to fielding unwanted guests at dinner parties."

"If you can become an expert at chasing dinner guests out of a dinner party, I shall be much obliged," she replied, allowing herself an encouraging smile.

"I will do my best," he promised.

Leah took a breath as she resumed her hold upon Nathaniel's hand, and they continued on through the splendor of the winter gardens. Her heart fluttered wildly as they walked, riddled with nerves because, unless she changed her mind between this moment and the dinner party, there was no turning back. By next week, all of society would know that Leah and Nathaniel were courting… and she was going to have to brace herself for the barrage of gossip that would undoubtedly come with it.

But there was a greater worry that nagged at the back of her mind: How was she supposed to tell her friends that, for the duration of the season, she would only be half a spinster? After what had happened with Olivia, it felt like nothing short of a betrayal.