or not, I’m not usually a difficult person to be around.”
She arched an eyebrow. Lilly wouldn’t be inclined to agree with him on that, but she supposed he was referring specifically to how he associated with gentlemen. Ladies, obviously, were another matter.
“I wish I could go back in time and do things differently with you,” he continued in a softer tone. “I honestly thought you were like my mother. I didn’t take the time to get to know you. I have no way I can prove how sorry I am.” He glanced at the doors that led back to the ballroom. “I suppose after all I’ve done, I don’t deserve a second chance. If I was smart, I’d let you go back to your friend and enjoy the rest of your life.”
He rose to his feet, and she found the last of her resistance crumble around her. Maybe if she was smart, she’d let him leave. Neither one had wanted to get married. It was only because of her brother that they’d been together at all. They could probably go their separate ways and be content.
But something in her warned her that if she didn’t accept his offer, she might regret it. She’d seen how happy her friends were with their husbands, and it would be a very pleasant experience to hold her own child someday.
“Aaron, wait,” she called out as he was walking to the ballroom.
He paused and turned back to her.
After a moment, she stood up. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to see if something good might come from our marriage, but I’m not ready to return to your townhouse. I need time to make sure you’re being sincere.”
“That’s understandable.”
“And I won’t have a chaperone or change what I wear because you don’t like my gowns.”
“I will permanently relieve Miss Britcher of her duties, and you may wear any gown you wish.”
She nodded. “In return, I’ll relieve Mr. Stonewall of his duties.”
She thought she detected relief on his face but couldn’t be sure if it stemmed from the fact that she was willing to give their marriage another chance or if he was glad Michael wasn’t going to be watching over him all the time anymore. Well, either way, it didn’t matter. They were going to have a new start, and that was good enough.
After a moment, she asked, “What do we do now?”
“Since we’re at a ball, we could dance. I don’t make it a habit of dancing much, but I know all the steps.”
“I don’t make it a habit of dancing, either. I prefer to talk to my friends and watch others dance. But,” she shrugged, “a couple of dances might be nice.” Especially since her brother wouldn’t be pushing her at every available gentleman he could find. “When we’re not dancing, do you mind if I speak with Emilia?”
“No, I don’t mind. I know a couple of gentlemen here that I’d like to talk to.”
She released her breath, unaware she’d been holding it. She walked up to him. Unsure of what to do, she hesitated.
He seemed to have the same uncertainty that she did, for he paused before he extended his arm to her. “May I escort you inside?”
“Yes, you may,” she replied then went with him back to the ball.
***
“I don’t understand why you didn’t go back to Aaron’s townhouse last night after the ball,” Emilia said the next morning after they had eaten breakfast.
Kitty glanced over at her friend from where she sat in the drawing room. Emilia was working on embroidery next to her.
“It’s too soon to go back to his townhouse,” Kitty replied. “I need more time to see if things will be different.”
Emilia considered her words. “I understand. You’ve been through a lot. It’s probably best to go slowly. You want to be sure he means what he said.”
Kitty nodded. Yes, she and Aaron had enjoyed dancing, but they didn’t get more than a few exchanges of pleasantries in during the entire ball. Which had been fine with her. She hadn’t known what to say to him.
“Will you see him today?” Emilia asked.
“He mentioned something about going for a walk at Hyde Park.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about being alone with him. Well, it wasn’t like she would be all alone. She wasn’t going to be. But there would be no one else to talk to. “Do you and Benjamin want to join us?”
“I think it’s best if you go by yourself. Benjamin and I will only get