Merrick snorted. “I see you’re employing your usual charm to win Arabella over.”

Lady Penelope’s eyes narrowed to slits as her gaze flickered between them. “So, you’ve decided to throw over good sense and discard propriety?”

It only took a moment to decide. “Yes, Merrick has shown me nothing but kindness. You are so wrong about him.”

Lady Penelope smirked. “So you will accept his proposal and become his wife?” She shook her head. “That should be a crowded affair, considering Lady Mary and Miss Milne both expect an offer of marriage immediately on his return to London. He’s been very plainly interested in both young ladies. So attentive to them both, but do remember he can choose only one to share his bed legally.”

“Hold your tongue,” Merrick snapped at his aunt, hands curling into fists at his side.

Arabella’s mouth fell open as it became clear Merrick couldn’t refute his aunt’s claim that he’d been courting two specific young ladies in Town. Likely while she’d been under his very roof. He’d gone in and out so frequently, but she’d never suspected anything had progressed to the point where a proposal was expected.

Her stomach turned over. He’d never said a word and then had the bad taste to offer a proposal she should not accept. Arabella was stunned that he hadn’t mentioned any of it. He’d had ample time and opportunity.

Lady Penelope smiled a little sadly. “It is always important to have all the facts. Don’t you agree, Lady Farnsworth? But I am here now, and I will do what I can to stem the damage. London is so rushed at this time of year that hopefully few should connect you both. Merrick has made a mess of this, but with my support any harm to your reputation can be restored.”

Merrick crossed the room and stopped close to her side. “I’d like a chance to explain.”

Arabella turned away, devastated that she’d blundered so badly into Merrick’s life. She couldn’t even blame him for seducing her when she’d all but thrown herself into his bed. “He did nothing. It’s my fault.”

Lady Penelope clucked her tongue. “Now, my dear, I’m sure that is simply not the case. I’m told kindness can often be mistaken for a deeper affection. You’re not the first to be duped.”

Arabella pressed her cold hand to her hot brow. “I was a fool.”

“No, you were not,” Merrick insisted, spinning her around to face him again. “Arabella, I never lied to you.”

When she looked into his eyes, Arabella’s confusion wavered. He seemed sincere, but how could he be? He’d led two young ladies on while dallying with her. He should have remained in London rather than escorting her here. Why hadn’t he? They’d not been intimately involved in London, and now things were even more complicated.

“An omission is a lie,” Lady Penelope added. “Come to London with me for what remains of the season, Lady Farnsworth. If you remain here as his tenant, the scandal will never go away.”

Arabella hesitated. She did not want to become a pawn in any disagreement, but if she stayed here then she would likely be in the thick of it all.

Merrick raked his hands through his hair and glared at his aunt. “Damn you. Why couldn’t you just stay away?”

Lady Penelope offered a wry smile. “Because you are family, and no matter what happens, the family reputation always comes first,” she said simply. “Lady Farnsworth is a little wiser now, and I’m content. I’ll return below and wait for her.”

She glided out, leaving them alone again.

Merrick hurried to squeeze her hands as if she might need comforting. “The situation is not exactly how she painted it.”

“Then how is it exactly? You have a special license in your possession. You have raised the expectations of two young women to the point where they await a proposal. How could you think so little of their feelings that you begin with me?”

He grabbed her by the arms and steered her to the nearest chair. Although she disliked allowing him to push her about, she needed the chair and sat gratefully.

He knelt at her feet as he’d done the night she’d sought shelter in his home. Her throat closed at the memory. “I do have a special license. My grandfather sent it to me, as he sent one to every grandson he has. I have admired you from afar for a long time and never considered I’d have a chance to win your affections. Yes, I began the season looking for a bride. I had not settled on either of the women my aunt mentioned. Then I kissed you by mistake and then you needed me. I liked that better than finding myself a bride. I acted selfishly, I admit.”

A little of her disappointment faded. He had been a friend when she’d needed one most and it was Arabella who had changed things. All she needed to do now was prepare to make as graceful an exit as possible. “It seems my friendship has come at a high price to you. You had plans that I’ve blundered into.”

“I’ve not offered for anyone but you.”

She nodded, but it made no difference. “But you should. Lady Mary is a lovely girl, very pretty and a great conversationalist, and young. Her father is well connected and her dowry is large. She would make an excellent countess.”

He shook his head. “I asked you to marry me.”

“I have not agreed.” She gathered her strength, stood, and faced the window. “You would do better with Lady Mary. Your family expects the match and more importantly so does she.”

Merrick was on his feet in an instant. He grabbed her arms and turned her to face him again. “I will not offer for Lady Mary or anyone else. I want to marry you and grow as close as two people in love could be. I hope you will place no faith in anything else my aunt may have said.”

“No. I am capable of making up my own mind.” Arabella met his gaze, her chest hurting badly for the end of their affair. She would not continue to see him when he had two women waiting for him to propose to them. “I thank you for your kind offer, sir, but I must decline.”

When he ran his fingers through his hair, Arabella longed to straighten it again. “I feared it was too soon.”

“No, Merrick, it is far too late.” She sighed deeply. “Your aunt has invited me to spend some time with her and I feel that is a sensible decision.”

“Well, I do not.” He took a deep breath and drew her into the circle of his arms. “I am in love with you, Arabella, and I will prove my worth. Wait and see.”

His kiss was urgent and left Arabella breathless. When he left with no further mention of marriage, Arabella’s throat closed. A surge of unfamiliar longing swept her.

Was it because he was a good man that she refused? She would not be the cause of his loss of honor. He had raised a young woman’s expectations past the point of turning back. He should marry Lady Mary or Miss Milne. He should make either one love him. It would be easy.

She tightened his banyan about her body and rubbed he hands over the rich material. She would never have his arms about her again and already she missed that. Merrick had given Arabella everything she needed to be happy and safe. She owed him for his protection and for overlooking her omission of her virginity. But with all he’d done, all he’d promised and delivered, that did not mean a marriage between them was in his best interests.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

Merrick did his best to keep a civil tongue in his head, but his aunt’s continued references to Lady Mary and Miss Milne before Arabella set his teeth on edge. Arabella was much too pale, much too timid now. She would not meet his eye, and if Aunt Pen kept bringing up the misunderstanding, she might never look at him again.

Luckily, Grayling and his wife had arrived unannounced and ended any plans to travel that day. Merrick had already had the carriage put away again and was biding his time until he could speak to Arabella alone. He was not going to marry Miss Milne or Lady Mary. Neither of them were Arabella, but there were two other reasons he wouldn’t change his mind.