that way. He is only helping me because he is a Brayden, and this is what they do, protect the weak and vulnerable. This is what he thinks of me.”
Although he had been very kind in his description of her yesterday. She did not know how much of what he’d said was true. Even if he was greatly embellishing her virtues, it still meant a lot to her that he was taking the time to read the book with her and seemed to enjoy their time spent together. “Oh, where is he? Do you think he’s forgotten about me?”
“No,” the two of them answered together, and at the same time, their gazes shot to the doorway.
“Dahlia, how can I possibly forget you?”
She gasped and looked up to find Ronan standing there, big and dominant, and grinning softly at her. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he appeared every bit the magnificent warrior. “Sorry I’m late. Got held up in a meeting at the House of Lords.”
Dahlia groaned. “I hope you did not cut it short on my account.”
He strode forward and settled on the settee beside her, taking up most of it because his shoulders were broad. “No, it ended of its own accord. Although I might have purposely nudged it along by boring them to tears toward the end. I began to explain the science of steam combustion. Their eyes glazed over, and they all suddenly remembered having prior engagements. You’d think the devil was on their tail, they fled the hall so fast.”
“I think I would find it fascinating.” She smiled at him. “Our cousin, Lily, would understand it all. None of us would be surprised if she had a hand in designing your steam invention.”
Violet nodded. “She is brilliant. The Duke of Lotheil adores her. She married his grandson, Ewan. I think the duke was not quite so enamored of her at the start. She had a way of deflating his pomposity that he found quite irksome.”
Heather giggled as she motioned to the teapot. “Would you care for a cup?”
“Perhaps later.” He turned to face Dahlia. “What do you say we get started? We have a lot to get through this evening. Violet, do you mind?”
“Not at all. Heather and I have plenty to do to occupy ourselves.”
He led Dahlia into Romulus’s library and surprised her by shutting the door behind them. She cast him a puzzled glance. “Shouldn’t we leave it open?”
“There’s something sensitive that I must discuss with you and don’t wish us to be overheard. I’ll open the door in a minute.”
She nodded. “You look so serious. Is something wrong?”
He raked a hand through his hair. “This is most awkward, and I hope you will not take offense by what I am about to ask you.”
She clasped her hands together, suddenly worried she’d done something to irritate him. They were still standing together, he looking as magnificently rugged as ever. “Do you no longer wish to see me? Because I’ll understand if you’d rather not. You’ve been kind to me, Ronan. The last thing I wish to do is cause you further embarrassment.”
He stared at her in obvious surprise. “Dahlia, you are not an embarrassment to me. Why ever would you think that? What I am about to ask...well, it is about you and me, but not in the way you think.” His hand raked through his hair again. “I’d like us to see each other on a far more regular basis. I’d like for us to be noticed as a couple.”
“A couple?” Her heart fluttered. Was it possible he wanted to court her? Then why did he look so perplexed about it? “I’m not sure I understand.”
He groaned. “Because I’m making a complete mess of this explanation. Let me start at the beginning. Do you recall the discussion we had about Lady Melinda and how the gossip rags are reporting that she and I are being seen around town together?”
She nodded.
Oh, she knew it! He was going to tell her the two of them were in love and had been going about in secret this whole time despite her father’s disapproval. Ronan loved Lady Melinda, and she loved him and–
“Those gossip rags are still spewing those lies, and now the Lord Admiral is worried her father will convince the other members of the House of Lords to slash our navy budget in order to punish me on the mistaken belief I am courting his daughter against his wishes. Of course that