They were nearly to her house when he suddenly transferred to the seat beside her and took her hand in his. “I will respect your wishes as you asked, Sophie. However, I ask that you respect mine as well.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “And what might those be?”
“You retain the right to rebuff my advances as you see fit, and I retain the right to make them whenever I can.”
She made a face of patent disbelief. “The two are hardly compatible.”
“But doubtless the combination will prove entertaining.”
“I don’t think—”
“You needn’t worry. I’ll not embarrass either of us by acting like one of your lovesick swains…hauling cartloads of flowers to your door and the like. I merely wish for us to spend some time together—go driving in the park, dance at the balls, visit some museums, that sort of thing.”
“I’m still not sure…”
“You needn’t worry I’ll scare off your beaux, either,” he stated impatiently. “The attentions of a duke will only increase your appeal, not diminish it.”
She hadn’t thought of that. A little healthy competition might be just the thing to speed things along. Unfortunately, there was the small problem of Alex’s possessive tendencies.
“That might be true in the case of some dukes. You, however, tend to behave rather, shall we say, territorially?”
Alex grimaced, then sighed in the manner of one much put upon. “I hereby vow not to frighten off any young gentlemen—”
“Or old.”
He shot her a look of annoyance. “…not to frighten off any gentlemen who should choose to further their acquaintance with you, unless specifically asked to do so by yourself, or in the event that you are in immediate danger of harm.”
“Physical harm,” she amended. “I wouldn’t care for you to use that particular loophole every time I look like I might possibly be a little exasperated.”
“Good Lord, you are a natural-born barrister.”
“Yes, becoming a barrister was my second choice after ambassador. Sadly, both professions remain elusive to me. Now, finish the promise, if you please.”
Alex groaned but capitulated. “I promise not to frighten off any gentlemen who should choose to further their acquaintance with you unless specifically asked to do so by yourself, or in the event that you are in immediate danger of physical harm,” he recited dutifully.
She nodded along, then added, “Or serious social harm. I suppose that would be all right as well.”
“I’m not repeating that ridiculous promise again.”
“Of course not, it’s not as if you won’t be finding every possible excuse to get around it already. I simply meant that, should you choose to save me from social ruin, I won’t hold it against you.”
“How thoughtful,” he drawled. “You are a veritable fount of generosity,” he said wryly. In reality, he was already plotting ways around his impromptu vow. He still thought the old battle-wound tic had merit.
“I certainly try,” she returned pertly.
“Are we agreed then? Shall we respect each other’s wishes in this matter?”
“I’ll agree to spend some time with you, Alex. It’s not exactly a chore, is it? But I don’t promise to spend all my time with you.”
“Of course not,” he replied, mentally scratching the idea of working around his promise by keeping her too busy for it to become an issue.
“Then I agree to the arrangement.”
“Excellent. I suggest we seal the pact with—”
“A handshake?” she offered helpfully.
His gaze tracked down to her lips. “I was thinking of something a bit more binding.”
“A handshake is customary, I believe.”
“But hardly in the spirit of our little contract.”
“I think this argument might be in the spirit of our little contract,” she grumbled.
He couldn’t argue with that, so he ignored it. “I was thinking more along the lines of—”
“A blood oath?” she tried.
“What? No, a kiss. Where do you get these ideas?” he asked in bemusement.
“I believe I am allowed to rebuff your advances as I see fit.”
“You’d prefer a bloodletting over kissing me?”
“Well, it needn’t be a large cut,” she pointed out reasonably. “A minor pinprick would suffice. I have a hat pin in my reticule that will do nicely.”
Sophie reached into her bag and retrieved an implement that looked, to Alex at any rate, more like a lethal weapon than a clothing accessory. She waved it in front of him with a flourish.
“Here we are.”
He dropped her hand. “You have succeeded in ruining the moment.”
“What a pity.”
“Round one goes to you,” he said without rancor.
“I thought you said we weren’t battling.”
“As you’re brandishing a dagger, I’ll own myself wrong.”
“Well if we’re to spend any time together, you’ll have to get used to it.”
“The hat pin?”
“No, being wrong, as you will invariably be whenever we argue.”
“I am duly warned. Put the pin away, Sophie.”
She eyed him assessingly. “I’m not certain that’s a good idea just yet.”