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Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

D id he really wish to read poetry? Alone, in a carriage—and so snug an equipage—it seemed an indecent thing to do. Mary fished the book from her reticule and held it on her lap, fingers trembling in the most absurd fashion. Most of the poems spoke of friendship, but friendship between a man and a woman was a short step from love. After Daniel’s request that she pose as his potential wife, the space between them shrank. There was no denying her attraction to him, and the day spent with him only increased her fondness.

Daniel’s arm moved beside her own as he reached over and took the volume from her. “I will read first. Which poem would you like to hear?”

None of them . “Any of them.”

Daniel read “A Retir’d Friendship.”

To Mary, words were powerful, and her heart responded to the poem as Daniel uttered it, his voice low and intimate in the space they shared. And how apt that the poem’s theme spoke of cares dismissed within the safety of love. When one had love, one also had solace. Daniel fell quiet, the final words pronounced, leaving Mary to still her trembling soul in the silence of the rattling carriage, too overwhelmed to comment on the poem. He was warm and solid beside her, and the desire to lean into him almost overcame her. The urge could only be the result of his asking to court her—or to pretend to do so.

Mary suppressed a sigh, her mind racing to find something else to discuss. “Tell me about this castle of yours. And about your parents. What is the root of your dispute with your father?” She half expected him not to answer these very presumptuous questions.

“When I was young,” he began.

“You are very young still.” Mary smiled.

“I am, and that also makes you young as well. You and I are not so distant in age.”

Was that true? He might be thirty-two, thirty-five at a stretch. Even five years set them at an unbreachable difference. Why did the world consider a man youthful when a woman of the same age was sometimes spoken of as if she were in her dotage? She didn’t feel old.

“Please, excuse my interruption. You were saying?” she asked.

“Ah, yes. I was in love and engaged to be married. I alluded to this circumstance at the ball.”

“You were engaged? You told about a woman you wished to marry, but I did not realize it was so serious.”

He explained that at the time of his engagement, he had worked at Smith’s Bank, due to his family’s financial strain. “I felt responsible to ensure there was food on the table and enough money coming in from tenants to keep the castle from collapse. I fear I did not give my intended the attention she merited.” He stopped talking and ran his hand over his face. “I’m not sure why I’m telling you all of this.”

“We are stuck in a small carriage with miles and days of travel ahead. But you needn’t continue if you don’t wish.”

Daniel lifted a shoulder. “I could not in good conscience bring another person into the household. More than that, we needed money, or the family would have to sell Almery, but without the estate and the surrounding lands, there was no income.”

Though a wave of tension ran through his explanation, he did not criticize those responsible for their poor financial state.

“When a friend offered me a position at Smith’s, I left home.”

“And your betrothed?”

“I believed I was only delaying our union for a year or two. We wrote one another constantly, and I visited from time to time, but two years past?—”

“Two? You left your beloved waiting for two years?”

He tugged at his sleeve. “I did. Furthermore, I assumed that during all that time she was faithful to me.” He exhaled a forced, ragged breath. “I never once doubted her.”

“I am terribly sorry.”

“It is just as well.”

She squeezed his arm, sitting with him in his pain for a moment before asking another question. “Did your mother and father asked you to reclaim their wealth?”

“They resent that I left, though I don’t know how they’d have sustained themselves without my help. My father in particular condemns my decision, saying money will take care of itself and family requires love and attention.”

“Well, I agree with him on the second point.” One could not neglect love, and Daniel had done just that. In leaving his fiancée, he had left behind a greater chance of happiness. But there was time for him yet.

He rotated toward her, his pale eyes dark with hurt. “My parents show their affection in odd ways. I hate to speak ill of them, but I want you to understand. They are flighty. Neglectful. If I did not care for Almery, it would be in ruins.” His eyes clouded, became unfocused, and his mouth drew down. It seemed his parents ignored more than their home. They disregarded Daniel. Mary’s eyes stung, but she did not want to show him her sympathy in case he should interpret it as pity.

She drew in a breath and swallowed the lump in her throat. In her most efficient voice, she summarized his plight. “Your father is upset with you for disregarding your familial duties and wants you to marry.”

Daniel nodded.

“But you do not wish for a wife?” Her chest twisted as she made the statement.

He cleared his throat and straightened his cravat. “I do not wish to fall in love. Not again.”

Mary’s first instinct was to laugh. She’d never heard of something so foolish. Love was everything, but his fiancée had hurt him. The ache in her throat returned, and she patted his arm in silence. No words lightened a tattered heart.

He took the fingers that lay on his arm. “Yes, I’ve been a fool. While it is hard to regret my decision, I do wish I’d been more patient with my father. I wish I had recognized the good things about him.”

“If you tell your father what you have just told me, perhaps that would be enough to mend your relationship.” In a quieter voice, she added, “Even without my help.”

Daniel’s body slumped beside her. “It would not be enough. But, please, forget I ever asked. It was a stupid idea.”

Yes. It was an odd request, but after hearing the depth of Daniel’s remorse, she understood. He was, as he said, desperate. Although she had reservations about whether it was fair to his parents, it might be fun to pretend she was in love with him.

“I will join you in your pretense.” She decided. “I will tell your family whatever you wish and irritate you until you parents are convinced we would never suit.”

“Never suit?”

“Of course. I am so much your senior.”

“Not this again. You speak as if you are my aged aunt.” He crossed his arms and frowned. “I am thirty-three.” He raised a brow as if in expectation.

“I am older.”

He laughed. “I’d forgotten. Miss Jensen, the woman I was to marry, was two years older than I.”

“Gracious! You have a penchant for older women. I suppose I am perfect for you.”

He turned to look her fully in the face. “In all seriousness, forget I asked. I should not drag you into my personal affairs.”

“In that case, I suppose I will find Louisa on my own. I have no more need of your assistance.”

Their eyes held contact. Daniel clenched his jaw. “The two things are incomparable. I am asking you to lie.”

“We need tell no falsehood. You introduce me. I fawn over you. We allow your parents to draw their own conclusion. It will only be for a few hours. I will have to leave in the morning. Perhaps we should have a row before I go?” If she was not enjoying looking into Daniel’s eyes so thoroughly, she might have lightened the mood with a laugh. Instead, she watched his face, enchanted by the slow smile that teased the sides of his mouth.

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