A Question Worth Asking by Angeline Fortin

Author:Angeline Fortin
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: friends to lovers, strong female character, women's rights, fake relationship, highland romance
Publisher: My Personal Bubble LLC
Published: 2016-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

It is vain to expect virtue from women till they are in some degree independent of men.

~ Mary Wollstroncraft from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

“Should we try our hand at the waltz again?” James asked as they made their way back to the ballroom.

“I don’t expect you to devote all of your time to me,” she said. “Surely there are other ladies you’d like to dance with?”

“Not a one.”

“Really? I’ve heard all the rumors, you know. Some quite recent.”

Heat rose under his collar, much as it had when Maggie had accused him of the same. But James hadn’t given Mrs. Braggstead a second thought in the past couple of weeks. No, all those had been reserved for the lass by his side.

The one whose lips were tightening in an all too familiar way. Her prudish side, which had managed to be subdued over the past few days, worked its way to the surface.

“Tell me something,” she said. “Is it true what some people say about you and Mrs. Preston?”

James gawked at her. Whoever he’d expected her to mention by name, that wasn’t it.

“What do they say?”

“That you live with Mrs. Preston for more than a vague familial connection,” she said. “That you’re her... um, her...”

Horror curled deep in his gut. Not only that others would think it, but that Prim would also.

“Do you think we...? That I...? That I’m some sort of lothario?”

His pure outrage must have been enough to convince her of the fallacy of the rumors. Prim’s countenance smoothed. He could see her relief but experienced none of his own.

“Is that what people are saying?”

“You do live with her.” Obvious amusement tainted the words now. “You could be her kept man.”

His groan of pure misery was covered up by the music and Prim took pity on him, patting his arm. “I’m sure no one actually believes anything untoward is happening between you. Tongues love to waggle.”

“They ought to waggle off in another direction,” he growled. “Mrs. Preston will be horrified.”

“I apologize for mentioning it,” she said.

“No, I’m glad you did. One cannot combat the unknown,” he said, his jaw set. “I’ll make sure the rumors as squashed.”

“Still, I’ve ruined the evening for you.”

“You’ve ruined nothing. If anything, it’s been the most delightful evening I’ve enjoyed in quite some time.” James winked at her. “Besides, we have a bargain, do we not? I’ll not back off from my end when I haven’t had a single young deb hanging on my arm all night.”

Prim smiled up at him, a hint of buoyancy returning at his light teasing. “You haven’t, have you? What a remarkably fine job I’m doing for my part.”

“You are,” he agreed, resting his gloved hand over hers nestled in the crook of his arm. He gave her an affectionate squeeze. “You’ve sent them all into retreat.”

She laughed then. “No, I’m certain it is your attentions for me that’s left them baffled, but only for now. No doubt they’ll regroup and develop a new plan of attack.

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