“I suppose I have,” she reluctantly admitted.
Oliver’s eyes scanned the gardens. “Are you truly going to marry the Duke of Billingham?” he asked.
A puff of air left her lips. “I’m afraid I don’t have a choice in the matter.”
“Everybody has a choice.”
“It is either marry the aged duke or enter a life of servitude.”
“Surely, there must be another option for you.”
Emmeline shook her head, causing the blonde curls that framed her face to sway back and forth. “I can’t think of one,” she replied. “I only have a small inheritance from my grandmother, but it isn’t enough for me to support myself.”
“Your aunt and uncle truly wouldn’t be as unfeeling as to force you into a marriage with the duke.”
“My uncle negotiated the terms of the contract,” she shared. “They both believe it to be a brilliant match.”
Oliver crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s a terrible match.”
“I agree, but I am just a woman. What choice do I have?” she asked earnestly. “My future is dependent upon marrying well.”
Oliver was silent for a long moment. “What if you did have another choice?” he finally asked.
“What do you mean?”
He uncrossed his arms and straightened from the fence. “What if you could marry another?”
“Who?” she asked. “The duke intends to marry me when I turn twenty-one, and that is only six days away.”
Uncertainty crossed his features as he replied, “Me.”
“You?”
He nodded. “Yes. You could marry me.”
She laughed lightly. “Surely you jest, my lord.”
His eyes were fixed on her as he responded, “I’m in earnest.”
“But…”
Oliver took a step closer to her, causing her words to still. “We would suit much more than the duke.”
“That is true, but—”
He cut her off. “I am only the second son of a marquess, but I do have a sizeable fortune. I could provide for you, not in the way the duke could, but you would be comfortable.”
“That is not the issue.”
“Then what is?”
She pursed her lips together as she tried to gather her thoughts. “I cannot ask you in good conscience to enter a marriage of convenience with me.”
“If I married, then the crafty matchmakers would leave me alone,” he pressed.
“My aunt and uncle would never consent to this marriage, and we would be forced to elope to Gretna Green, since I haven’t reached my majority yet.”
“So be it.”
Emmeline stared at Lord Oliver in disbelief. What he was offering was inconceivable to her. He was willing to throw away his own happiness to help her, and that was something she wasn’t willing to allow. She couldn’t do that to him, even though it was truly tempting.
As she opened her mouth to inform him of her decision, a beautiful, blonde young lady sauntered up to Oliver. “Will you be returning to the ball soon?” she asked, a pout on her lips.
Emmeline saw Oliver hesitate for only a moment before his lips curved into a flirtatious smile. “Only if you will save me a dance.”
The young lady smiled victoriously. “I shall be looking forward to it,” she said before turning on her heel.
When she was gone, Oliver turned his attention back to Emmeline and gave her an apologetic look.
“I do apologize for the interruption,” he began, “you were about to say something.”
Emmeline’s lips parted in disbelief. “We would never suit, you and I,” she said, gesturing between them. “You are a rake, and I don’t think that would stop after we were wed.”
“If you are worried about me being faithful to you, that won’t be an issue.”
“You just flirted with another lady while you were offering for me,” Emmeline pointed out.
Oliver winced slightly. “That may have been poorly done on my part, but…”
Speaking over him, Emmeline said, “I thank you for the kind offer, but I refuse to force you into a marriage of convenience.”
Oliver blinked. “You are turning me down?”
“I am.”
“Do you take issue with my lowly status as a second son?”
“No, that has nothing to do with my decision.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Am I not wealthy enough for you?”
“No,” she replied. “You must understand that I am doing this for you.”
“For me?” he asked, taking a step back.
Emmeline gave him a timid smile. “I don’t think you are ready to be wed.”
“Because I am a rake.”
“Yes,” she replied, seeing no reason to deny it.
Oliver performed an exaggerated bow. “Good night, Emme. I hope you enjoy your life as a duchess,” he remarked dryly before walking off.
Emmeline watched Oliver’s retreating figure, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she had made the right decision.
As Oliver walked purposefully away from Emmeline, he kept muttering curse words under his breath and wondering what in the blazes he had been thinking. Why had he offered for her? It had been sheer madness on his part.
He should be relieved that she had refused his offer, but he found himself hurt and disappointed. Which was ludicrous. He had always viewed Emmeline as a friend, and nothing more. She was the cousin of his one true love. So why did he feel as if he had been punched in the gut by her rejection?
Oliver stepped into the ballroom, ignoring the ladies that were vying for his attention. Frankly, he wasn’t in the mood to bother with niceties. He searched the crowd and saw his brother standing next to his wife and conversing with Lord and Lady Hutchings.
He walked over and said, “I need to speak to you.”
Baldwin gave him a curious look. “Now?”
Oliver nodded.
The silver-haired Lady Hutchings smiled kindly at him. “I hope everything is all right, Lord Oliver.”
Realizing he was being rude, he offered her a slight bow and replied, “I assure you that all is well.”
“That is good to hear,” Lady Hutchings said.
Lord Hutchings spoke up. “We were just complimenting your brother on what a fine choice he made for his selection of a bride.”
“That he did,” Oliver agreed, glancing over at his sister-in-law. “Madalene has made a fine addition to our family.”
Madalene smiled. “You are being too kind.”
“I am indeed a lucky man,” Baldwin said,
