Romance: REGENCY ROMANCE: A Duchess in Distress (Historical Regency Romance Duke) (Rake Duke Arranged Marriage Short Stories) by Sarah Thorn
Authors: Sarah Thorn
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but I made an agreement and I am bound by it.''
''Of course, Dear, and I wouldn't want you to go back on it. You have your reputation to think of. I have a proposal if you may allow me?”
''Please, anything to get us out of this terrible predicament.''
''You must tell me after the fourth round of bids what your final bid shall be. I will use my womanly charms to persuade the others that your bid is much lower that it is. You will win me and we can follow our hearts at last.''
''That is a splendid solution,'' he said.
*****
''Dear Mr. Carrington, please accept my apologies for interrupting your day, but I have some urgent business to attend to concerning Miss Emily Ashington.''
''She isn't ill is she?'' he asked, a genuine look of worry on his face.
''No, but she is very concerned for her reputation.''
''Why would she be that? She has an excellent reputation, everyone thinks her divine.''
''The auction Mr. Carrington,'' Beatrice said, looking at him sternly.
''Oh,'' he replied, not quite knowing what to say.
''She knows about your scheme with the other two and she is desperately worried that if it becomes common knowledge, her reputation will suffer. After all, I think you may understand if you give it some thought, that men, wagering money over a lady, is hardly good for her reputation. It is marginally akin to prostitution. ''
''Oh, what a terrible situation. It was a silly agreement. I hardly knew Miss Emily then. We were in high spirits and it all happened so quickly. I don't know what I am able to do about it. I cannot change it now. A gentleman's agreement is final.''
''Of course, Sir. Miss Emily fully understands your predicament. It is just, she needs your assistance. Of the three, she is most drawn toward you. She does understand, however, that because of your circumstances, there could never be a liaison between you. However, your actions have caused a danger to her reputation and I must ask you to make amends.''
''Amends? How may I do that?''
''By stepping out with her until the whole sordid business is finished. If society sees her courting with a single man in a steady, proper manner, it will be much less inclined to call her reputation into dispute should your sordid agreement become public. They will think it a rumor when they look at the two of you.''
''But I am pauper and no use to her at all.''
''It is not common knowledge that you are a pauper. Indeed, it is only in your honesty toward Miss Emily, that you have revealed it to anyone. Society thinks you are the well to do son of the Earl of Rochester. You must make amends for you actions and step out with her until you and the others have concluded your actions.''
*****
Emily removed her bonnet as the sun beat down on the two cousins. ''This garden is the nicest I have ever seen,'' Beatrice said. ''Your mother is the perfect gardener.''
''And you, my dear cousin, are the most perfect schemer?''
Beatrice looked at her with a humorous look on her face. ''Why Emily, how on earth could you think that?''
''Because I have noticed that Charles Carrington will visit me tomorrow. What on earth did you say to him.''
''He is a man of honor and I just called upon that honor. What of Mr. Masters? How did you find him?''
''Quite agreeable. In fact, he is handsome, witty and knowledgeable.''
''That is marvelous. Then you want him to win the auction?''
''I am not sure. He is, let's say, a little too well versed in activities of the bedroom for my liking. I believe he has, in all probability, had a lot of women and I am not certain I would ever be able to fully trust him to be faithful to me. Thus far, dear cousin, Mr. Carrington has made the best impression on me and his circumstances won't allow us to be any more than friendly toward each other.''
*****
Charles looked at Emily as the maid placed the tea tray on the delicate table. He waited until she was finished and had left the room before he spoke.
''Miss Emily, how
''Of course, Dear, and I wouldn't want you to go back on it. You have your reputation to think of. I have a proposal if you may allow me?”
''Please, anything to get us out of this terrible predicament.''
''You must tell me after the fourth round of bids what your final bid shall be. I will use my womanly charms to persuade the others that your bid is much lower that it is. You will win me and we can follow our hearts at last.''
''That is a splendid solution,'' he said.
*****
''Dear Mr. Carrington, please accept my apologies for interrupting your day, but I have some urgent business to attend to concerning Miss Emily Ashington.''
''She isn't ill is she?'' he asked, a genuine look of worry on his face.
''No, but she is very concerned for her reputation.''
''Why would she be that? She has an excellent reputation, everyone thinks her divine.''
''The auction Mr. Carrington,'' Beatrice said, looking at him sternly.
''Oh,'' he replied, not quite knowing what to say.
''She knows about your scheme with the other two and she is desperately worried that if it becomes common knowledge, her reputation will suffer. After all, I think you may understand if you give it some thought, that men, wagering money over a lady, is hardly good for her reputation. It is marginally akin to prostitution. ''
''Oh, what a terrible situation. It was a silly agreement. I hardly knew Miss Emily then. We were in high spirits and it all happened so quickly. I don't know what I am able to do about it. I cannot change it now. A gentleman's agreement is final.''
''Of course, Sir. Miss Emily fully understands your predicament. It is just, she needs your assistance. Of the three, she is most drawn toward you. She does understand, however, that because of your circumstances, there could never be a liaison between you. However, your actions have caused a danger to her reputation and I must ask you to make amends.''
''Amends? How may I do that?''
''By stepping out with her until the whole sordid business is finished. If society sees her courting with a single man in a steady, proper manner, it will be much less inclined to call her reputation into dispute should your sordid agreement become public. They will think it a rumor when they look at the two of you.''
''But I am pauper and no use to her at all.''
''It is not common knowledge that you are a pauper. Indeed, it is only in your honesty toward Miss Emily, that you have revealed it to anyone. Society thinks you are the well to do son of the Earl of Rochester. You must make amends for you actions and step out with her until you and the others have concluded your actions.''
*****
Emily removed her bonnet as the sun beat down on the two cousins. ''This garden is the nicest I have ever seen,'' Beatrice said. ''Your mother is the perfect gardener.''
''And you, my dear cousin, are the most perfect schemer?''
Beatrice looked at her with a humorous look on her face. ''Why Emily, how on earth could you think that?''
''Because I have noticed that Charles Carrington will visit me tomorrow. What on earth did you say to him.''
''He is a man of honor and I just called upon that honor. What of Mr. Masters? How did you find him?''
''Quite agreeable. In fact, he is handsome, witty and knowledgeable.''
''That is marvelous. Then you want him to win the auction?''
''I am not sure. He is, let's say, a little too well versed in activities of the bedroom for my liking. I believe he has, in all probability, had a lot of women and I am not certain I would ever be able to fully trust him to be faithful to me. Thus far, dear cousin, Mr. Carrington has made the best impression on me and his circumstances won't allow us to be any more than friendly toward each other.''
*****
Charles looked at Emily as the maid placed the tea tray on the delicate table. He waited until she was finished and had left the room before he spoke.
''Miss Emily, how
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