was nothing cold or haughty about Dahlia.
Quite the opposite, she was vibrant and compassionate. She would never come across as anything but charming.
No, she wasn’t a ton beauty.
She was something far better. “Don’t forget your dimples.”
“What?” She sat up again looking kittenish and pouty with her hair in a tumble, and her slightly too wide mouth turned down at the corners.
She had no idea how incredibly beautiful she looked.
He ran a finger lightly along her cheek. “You have dimples in your cheeks when you smile.”
Heather nodded. “It’s true, Dahlia. You do.”
“Then I won’t ever smile again,” she said with a huff.
Ronan arched his eyebrow. “Fine. Whatever you do, don’t–”
She broke into a smile because she knew this is how he always teased her. Sweeter still, she laughed and shook her head. “You are a wicked fiend! I am not through wallowing in my misery, and you are determined to have me see the folly in it. Thank you, Ronan,” she said softly, emitting a ragged breath. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for your kindness.”
“It isn’t necessary.”
“Please, let me do something to acknowledge my appreciation. I was so out of my depth when confronting Gerald. He was eating me alive and would have utterly destroyed me if you hadn’t been there to protect me. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“If you are determined...”
“I am.”
“Well, there is a way. You know I’ve been wanting to read The Book of Love. Would you have any objection to our reading it together?”
“Why together? Just take the book, Ronan. You are welcome to it, not that you would ever need its help to find love for yourself. Women fall all over themselves to get in front of you. Aren’t you already escorting one of the most beautiful debutantes around town? Your name often appears in the gossip rags along with hers. Who was that handsome Royal Navy captain seen escorting Lady M to the theater?”
Heather bobbed her head in agreement. “Holly believes you are courting Lady Melinda Ridley.”
He eyed her curiously. “Why would she say that? You think I’m interested in Lady Melinda?”
“Aren’t you?” Dahlia furrowed her brow as though confused. “How can you not be? It is said she is stunning, and you’ve been escorting her about town.”
“And you believe what the gossip rags say?”
She nodded. “Aren’t you courting her?”
“No. It is all stuff and nonsense.” He hated all the lies and manipulations that seemed to be the normal course of business in polite society.
Dahlia still appeared confused. “Then why are you seen everywhere with her?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Have you ever seen me with her?”
“Well, no. But gentlemen are supposed to be discreet.”
“Dahlia, it is all made up. Are you going to believe everything you read? I haven’t been anywhere with her in months. But I expect Lady Melinda is telling everyone quite a different story. It is likely she is the one sending this false information to the newspapers.”
Now Dahlia seemed quite shocked. Of course, she would be since it would never occur to her to lie about anything. “Why would she do such a thing?”
“To make a certain marquess jealous and prod him into offering for her hand in marriage. I’m just a captain in the Royal Navy. Lady Melinda is the only child of a duke. I can assure you, her father is not going to allow her anywhere near me. He wants a marquess or better for his treasured offspring.”
“Then he is a fool.” She shook her head in disbelief, her lovely curls cascading over her shoulders in breathtaking disarray. “You’d make an excellent husband for his daughter. Anyone can see you are a man of substance and ridiculously handsome, too.”
He laughed, pleased that she was offended for his sake and thought so highly of him. He liked all these Farthingale women because honesty seemed to be a trait among them. It would not occur to any of them to lie or manipulate in order to advance their positions. “Thank you, Queen Pea. But it isn’t going to happen.”
She turned to him, her eyes rimmed red and glistening, but at least she was no longer bemoaning her situation. “Ronan, what if it could happen?”
“What do you mean?”
“This book has worked its magic on my cousins and their friends. Even on my own sister. Why can it not do the same for you? Isn’t the point to reach for the moon? Who is to stop you from marrying the daughter of a duke?”
His heart was