His throat worked as he swallowed. “Very well.”

He stood slowly, straightening his waistcoat and sleeves with a heavy sigh that made her feel terrible for not having an answer ready. She set her hand on his sleeve. “I’m sorry, Merrick.”

An odd smile flittered across his face before disappearing into a calm mask. “I must leave to deal with my aunt.”

“I cannot understand why she has come. She received no invitation from me.”

“My aunt rarely waits on an invitation when it comes to family. This estate is mine now, so she’s simply invited herself. How typical of her.”

“You’re angry with her.”

“I am.” His lips pursed and then he frowned. “She knows full well I’d never invite her. However, I have an idea that may turn this disaster around. We may not need to travel to Newberry Park at all if Aunt Penelope can be convinced to assist you.”

Arabella nodded slowly. “If I had Lady Penelope’s support, the ton would never reproach me should Farnsworth’s stories have twisted and spread too far.” Her stomach fluttered. If all went well and Lady Penelope accepted her story as the truth, Merrick would be free to leave believing no further obligation existed between them. He needn’t have bothered with a rash marriage proposal after all. He could return to London.

“I was more worried what she would say about us, but…” He shrugged and faced the door. “We’ll deal with the Farnsworth problem first and the other can wait until she asks why we are together still.”

He frowned and the look on his face hinted he was trying to hide his feelings. He turned his face away when she smiled at him. They were together because she wanted to be with him. She liked him very much. She covered his hand with hers, but he wouldn’t look at her directly. Had she disappointed him so badly by not jumping on the chance to be his wife?

She’d just gotten used to knowing what was going through his mind. He didn’t like anyone knowing his business, and she could help with that by keeping his secrets gladly. “I will join you soon and happily explain what she needs to know and not a word more.”

He squeezed her fingers. “When she is gone, I’ll be at your disposal should you wish to speak again. I’d like a chance to convince you of my sincerity.”

He kissed each of her palms and the feel of his lips against her skin caused her to smile. If she married him, she’d never feel undesirable. He had a way of turning each and every caress into a moment of worship. That side of a marriage between them would not be a chore. But was she ready to have another’s needs placed before her own?

She swallowed. She honestly didn’t know. She wouldn’t lie to him. She certainly wouldn’t marry just because of lust. “Of course.”

Merrick smiled quickly, kissed her cheek, and then hurried to the door to receive his visitor. He didn’t meet her gaze again as he slipped out, his steps echoing through the house. Arabella folded to the nearest chair and put her head in her hands. “My life is mad.”

How had she gone from hoping for a kind lover to teach her the intimate arts to disappointing a rogue?

The door opened again and when Arabella peeked up, a gray head of hair had poked through the gap. “An intriguing parting,” Lady Penelope Ford mused as she locked the door behind her. “Lady Penelope Ford, at your service. You may call me Pen if you like.”

Arabella gasped as panic gripped her. Lady Penelope Ford was supposed to be in the drawing room, taking tea and waiting to meet Merrick. There was no way to avoid a scandal now. She’d have heard them talking. She would know Merrick had just proposed and received no answer.

Lady Penelope looked around curiously. “So this is the bedchamber all of London will talk of in the coming weeks. Hmm, quite ordinary really for so scandalous a situation.”

Arabella held Merrick’s banyan a little tighter about her chest. “Lady Penelope. What brings you to Winslette?”

“Rothwell disappeared from London without warning. You also were reported missing. Is that not reason enough to become curious?” The lady shrugged. “Rumors have a habit of altering when it comes to my nephew. For instance, it’s been suggested he’d turned over a new leaf this season and become somewhat respectable. I see now the gossips were utterly wrong.”

Some of Arabella’s panic ebbed. She had to keep her wits about her. She was facing one of the most influential women of the ton. “Oh?”

“Hmm, yes. My nephew was known for his, well… there is no delicate way to put it. Merrick has always been considered something of a scoundrel around women, much as his father was in his day. He used them, and then he tossed them aside should they become too demanding of his affections.” Lady Penelope inspected her nephew’s room with a disdainful eye. “So many have thought an affair might lead to an offer of marriage, but he fooled them all. Now, of course, he’s set his cap too high. Many in the family thought he’d simply run out of ways to scandalize the world, but it seems he set himself a challenge in you.”

A tight pain filled Arabella’s chest. Lady Penelope believed Merrick’s past affairs had everything to do with her decision not to marry him. That wasn’t the case. Arabella doubted her own feelings more than his. “He’s nothing like what you suggest.”

Lady Penelope grimaced. “My dear, I do know what I’m talking about. I’m here to keep you safe from scandal that will follow this unwise affair. Why else would I come so far out of my way? We will say you were with me the entire time and no one need know my nephew seduced you.”

Arabella moved slowly toward the door and unlocked it. Lady Penelope’s behavior disappointed her. She’d condemned her nephew without cause and believed him a heartless seducer. Of course he had enjoyed many women before her, but he wasn’t a cruel man. What sort of rogue bedded a widow, found her a virgin, and then proposed marriage? Merrick was the best of men. It was Arabella who had been the disappointment and she couldn’t help it. “I have little desire for your help when you think so meanly of your own family. Why would I want your aid?”

Lady Penelope’s smile grew brittle. “I have always been eager to help you. Merrick is a man and has made it very clear that he can take care of himself. As they all will do. Being an unwilling party to the scandals my family has engaged in makes me aware of the value of a reputation and what it costs to have lost one.”

Arabella folded her arms across her chest. “Forgive me, but we are strangers to one another. I don’t know you.”

Penelope smiled briefly. “We are similar creatures. We accept the restrictions of our society but still suffer from them. I hesitated to offer my support in London when I came to Merrick’s town house, because I was not entirely sure he had you enthralled. I apologize for that. If you would dress in a more appropriate fashion, we can be underway.”

“I am dressed as appropriately as I wish to be in my own bedchamber. You are the uninvited interloper.”

“This is my nephew’s bedchamber, is it not, and you are wearing a man’s banyan, my dear.” Lady Penelope came closer and fingered the material of the sleeve. “I’m in a position to know it’s Merrick’s garment.”

Arabella held her ground. It was time to stop this now. “I think you should leave my home.”

The door flew open. “You meddling old sow,” Merrick growled. “What the hell are you doing here?”

When he faced the door to shut it, a brief smile crossed the older woman’s face. “Not one of your best, boy. Cool your heels a little longer. Lady Farnsworth and I are negotiating.”

Merrick made an angry, inarticulate sound.

“Always so stubborn and hot-tempered,” Lady Penelope chided. “His mother was a much calmer girl.”

Merrick was not hot-tempered at all. The only people Arabella had ever heard him disagree with were other Fords and her brother-in-law. She didn’t know everything about Merrick yet, but he seemed a reasonable man. He just wanted his family to leave him in peace. “There is nothing to negotiate besides the method of your leaving. As far as I can tell, you can leave under your own steam or with his help.”