The muted sounds of conversation, of papers turning, and men playing cards or billiards did nothing to improve Preston's mood as he sat at White's two days later. It had rubbed him the wrong way to find out exactly how Amelia saw him. As her brother's friend. Who at best tolerated her presence. She could not be more wrong. If he had ever appeared aloof around her, it was only because he was trying to hide his true feelings. Hide how very much he wanted her.

It probably shouldn't have surprised him. She had never given him any indication she thought of him as anything else. And yet... On some level, he had hoped she did. It was a foolish hope, and one he repeatedly tried to quench. He knew he was not for her. But that knowledge was not enough to extinguish his feelings completely.

Playing the role of someone besotted with her—courting her—felt a little too real. He should never have agreed to this farce. Being alone with her this much... In the garden the other night, he had been so close to leaning down and kissing her before he regained his senses. So close to revealing his true feelings.

"Leighton."

He looked up to see Adam Warble, the Marquess of Richmond and future Duke of Hoyton, staring down at him.

"Richmond." He nodded in greeting as the other man sat down next to him and took a sip from a drink. Amelia's oldest brother shared her dark brown hair, but his eyes were a watery blue rather than the warm brown of his sister's. He also lacked her playful nature, rather taking after his severe father. "Any news from Adrian?"

The marquess lifted a shoulder in a shrug, a movement not entirely unlike the one Amelia often employed. "He sent word that he will be back in another fortnight. Mother is enjoying his company far too much to allow him to return to London quite yet. He reckons he will bore her by then." Richmond's pale blue eyes turned to Preston. "I hear you have been seen hovering around Amelia lately."

It wasn't even a question. Not really. Keeping his voice even, Preston nodded. "Yes. I've been keeping an eye on her with Adrian away. He usually is the one to watch out for her."

"Ah yes. My father and I care little for the social scene." Richmond took another sip of his drink, sounding bored. "Our aunt is her chaperone, so do not feel obliged to step into my brother's shoes."

"Not at all. I am enjoying her company." He cursed himself as the other man's eyes narrowed.

"As long as you do not enjoy her company too much."

How did Amelia think their pretend courtship would go down with her family? She was the daughter of a duke. They would definitely expect more than a viscount for her. Preston might be from an old family, but he was still only a viscount. A duke's daughter would easily catch the interest of a marquess or earl at least.

"Of course," he muttered. "Would not dream of it."

Technically, that was a blatant lie. He had plenty of dreams featuring Amelia. Not that he'd ever tell anyone. He suppressed a groan. What a bloody mess this was. Standing, he sketched a bow and excused himself. He had better things to do than watch Richmond looking down his nose at him.

When he entered his home a short while later, his butler approached him within moments, his white brows drawn.

"My Lord," he said with a bow. "Lady Amelia is waiting for you in the reception room."

"Great." There was no hiding the sarcasm in his tone, but his butler's face didn't so much as twitch. Giving him his hat, Preston moved towards the reception room. "Thank you, Giles."

Amelia looked up as he entered and smiled, the warm smile affecting him more than he cared to admit. "Good afternoon! Where have you been? I have waited forever."

"Good afternoon, Amelia." He stopped just inside the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought perhaps you could accompany me for a ride in Hyde Park. It seems like the type of thing a courting couple might do."

He frowned. "Could you not have sent me a note about this? You really must stop visiting me at home. It is highly irregular and could cause a scandal."

"Oh, posh!" She swatted his rebuke away with her hand. "I even have a chaperone with me."

After a long, elaborate look around the room, his eyes returned to hers and he raised a questioning eyebrow. They were most definitely alone.

"Well, my lady's maid went off to meet some friend of hers who apparently works here." She grinned. "Are you not going to offer me tea?"

"I thought we were going for a ride in Hyde Park?"

When her grin widened, he realised she had trapped him and he had to commend her on her deviousness. "Well played," he muttered. "I will ask them to prepare my curricle."

Her victorious grin followed him as he called for a servant and made the request.

"I do not know why you are so pleased," he said as he sank down on a settee. "Should you not be chasing a ride with Pensington?"

"Perhaps," she agreed. "I thought perhaps I will try to befriend his sister. I hear she is coming out this Season."

"I believe so."

"Oh!" He nearly jumped as Amelia clapped her hands together. "You should court her! Then, as your friend, I can attend events with her and the marquess."

"You already attend plenty of events with the marquess."

"More private ones," she clarified. "You know. Private tea parties and dinners. That sort of thing."

Straightening where he sat, he rubbed his head with a hand. "I thought I was courting you," he grumbled. "Make your mind up."

She stood, her movements animated as she flitted across the room with excited energy. "Yes, yes. Of course. But if this leads nowhere, I think that is a brilliant option."

He did not agree. Lady Jessica Howerty, Pensington's sister, was probably a fine woman, but he had no interest in getting to know her any better. Ever the fool, he had no interest in anyone beyond Amelia and while he could not have her, he would pursue no one else either. At least not for the time being. He supposed eventually he might have to find himself a wife, but there was no rush. Plenty of time for him still to wish for what he could not have. A fool, indeed.

When a footman came to inform them that the curricle was ready, he was rather relieved to abandon the topic. Escorting Amelia outside, he assisted her into the vehicle before following himself and being handed the reins by a groom. The sun warmed their faces as he nudged the horses into motion, and Amelia turned her face up towards it.

"It is such a lovely day," she said, looking not entirely unlike a cat languishing in a spot of sunlight.

He grunted in reply, not wanting to look too carefully at his beautiful travel companion. The bonnet she had donned before going outside hid most of her hair, but the few locks framing her face glowed golden brown in the sun. Her long, dark eyelashes rested against her cheeks as she let out a sigh of contentment. A slight smile lingered on her soft-looking lips. He was definitely not wondering how they would taste if he captured them in a kiss. Definitely didn't imagine her sighing as he pulled her lithe body against his own.

Staring straight ahead, he forced himself to loosen his grip on the reins. Not looking at her wasn't helping nearly as much as he'd hoped, as he could still feel the heat of her body as her thigh and hip rested next to his on the seat, her light flowery scent never quite leaving him. Bloody hell, he needed this sham courtship to finish before... Before what? Before his resolve snapped and he kissed her? He would never do that. He would never risk her reputation. It was far too dangerous when he doubted his ability to leave it at one kiss. It did not seem nearly enough when he longed for a lifetime of them.

He scoffed. This infatuation with Amelia was turning him into a lovesick fool. Adrian would laugh at him if he knew a woman had brought his rakish friend to his knees. Well. As long as he did not know it was his sister.

"What is the matter?" Amelia's voice broke through his thoughts. "You look like you've smelled something foul."

"No, I..." Tilting his head, he gave her a teasing smile. "Did you forget to bathe as of late?"

She gasped and hit him in the arm even as she was laughing. "How dare you suggest I stink!"

Grinning, he shrugged. "You are the one who brought up foul smelling things."

"Perhaps you are the one who smells."

"I'll have you know I am newly bathed and smell amazing." He gave her a mock superior look but nearly choked on his own laughter as she leaned in to smell him. Her nose briefly touched his neck and the jolt of electricity the skin to skin contact elicited had him sitting straight as a rod.

"You do smell nice," she said with an amused smile as she pulled back.

"Amelia," he croaked. Clearing his throat, he continued, "You cannot do that. If someone saw you so close to me, it would be a scandal."

"If anyone heard us speaking of bathing, it would be a scandal." She laughed. "We have known each other too long to worry about these things. We are not in Hyde Park yet and no one on the street saw us. And no one can hear us. We can discuss anything we like."

"Maybe not anything," he muttered.

He didn't like the mischievous grin that spread over her face. "Why not? Are you keeping secrets from me, Preston?"

Only one.

"Of course not. I have no secrets. You could call me an open book."

"I do not know if I agree with that."

Her confession surprised him. Other than his one secret, he really was honest most of the time. "What makes you say that? You could ask me anything and I would answer."

Dark eyebrows raised over eyes glittering with mirth. "Anything?"

"Bad choice of words. I obviously cannot answer certain things." A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Take care not to offend my innocent sensibilities."

Amelia's burst of laughter made it impossible to keep his own inside. He loved these moments with her. Their gentle teasing and easy banter. He loved them and he loathed them. Because he knew they would not be his forever.

~~~~~~