The Rake's Proposal. Sarah Elliott

only solution she could come up with was to get married, and that was what she was determined to do: quickly and conveniently, romance not required.

      There was nothing unusual about Ben’s impromptu overnight stay. He’d known Robert since they’d been at school together, and when the season was in full swing and the drinks flowed a little too freely, he frequently availed himself of his friend’s hospitality. Since Ben had been at sea for the past six months, however, his presence now was unexpected.

      The two men were seated in Robert’s breakfast room. Robert was tucking in eagerly to a large plate of eggs and rashers while Ben pushed his helping more aimlessly around his plate. Occasionally, Robert looked up from his food and smiled, but gave up almost immediately upon seeing his friend’s dark countenance.

      “So…how’s business?” Robert asked after several minutes, obviously trying to fill the silence. “You’ve been away for a while. Everything in order?”

      A dull ache had invaded Ben’s brain that morning and he’d have been just as happy if they didn’t talk at all. “Speak quietly,” he whispered, “business is fine.”

      “I thought this shipping business of yours was only a lark, Ben. It sounds suspiciously like work. You look exhausted.”

      Ben ignored that. Unlike most ship owners, he liked to oversee many of the day-to-day operations of his business and often accompanied his crew on their voyages. He’d discovered his love of the sea during his Grand Tour, and once he’d returned to England he’d found that life on solid ground no longer satisfied him. He’d become involved in shipping as a diversion, really, hoping to find some way to alleviate the deadening boredom of high society. Somehow, though, he’d become completely caught up in the business. He found that he thrived on hard work, liked having a reason to get up in the morning and loved the thrill of traveling somewhere new. He kept this part of his personality largely concealed from his jaded friends, however.

      And anyway, the reason for his current exhaustion had nothing to do with work.

      Robert was still watching him. “Had a rough night, eh?”

      Ben just grunted. Robert hadn’t any idea how rough, and Ben felt certain that he wouldn’t actually like to know the details of how his best friend had nearly seduced his sister. He wasn’t quite sure why he’d done it himself. Granted, he’d been slightly foxed when he’d arrived, having stopped at his club for a drink en route. Perhaps his judgment had been a bit flawed….

      No. Best just to pretend it hadn’t happened. “Tell me again when the wedding is to be?”

      Robert smiled. “Fifteenth of September. Charlotte had the devil of a time getting her mother to agree to it—not to her marrying me, of course, but to doing it so quickly. Told me it was scandalous, the old bag. Horse Face must have ceremony. But I held firm. A man can only wait so long. Six months it shall be. But it is a squeeze, I know. Reckon there’s a lot to do…dresses and flowers and such nonsense. I’ve elected to leave that business to the women, not that they’d want my help anyway. Charlotte has already begun to send out invitations like mad…on top of that, I have a host of bloody decorators to contend with because Horse Face says my home is entirely unsuitable.” He shook his head ruefully. “I’m not looking forward to it, I tell you, but I suppose it’s the price one pays. House has been full of bloody women, even now. My sister’s here, you know.”

      Ben’s expression must have betrayed something, because Robert narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, “Do you remember meeting her?”

      Only too well, Ben thought to himself. His headache, which had begun to subdue, sharpened considerably. With undue heat he answered, “Not with much fondness, Robbie. She threw a glass of water at me, I remember that much quite clearly.”

      “I think you insulted her, Ben,” Robert reminded him.

      “I never insult women.”

      “Perhaps you called her scrawny. She was only eleven, you know. Always been a bit of a tomboy, though.”

      Ben snorted in distaste. “Age is no excuse. I’d rather hoped to continue avoiding her.”

      Robert nodded in agreement. “Can’t say I’d mind if you avoided my sister either, old boy, but there’s unlikely to be much choice unless you plan on leaving the country again. She’ll be here for the entire season. It’s her first, you know.”

      That piqued Ben’s curiosity. “Not married, then? What, doesn’t she believe in it either?”

      “Keep your mind out of the gutter, Ben. She never had a proper coming out. Once our father became ill she remained home to tend to him. He died just last year, as you know, and she’s been in mourning since. Anyway, for some reason she’s become set on the idea of matrimony all of the sudden.”

      Ben merely grunted. “It happens to all women.”

      “You’re being rather touchy this morning.”

      Ben supposed he was, and it was all the fault of his irrational behavior the night before. He’d known countless beautiful women in his life and had never lost control quite like that. Oh, not much had happened, but for God’s sake, she was his best friend’s sister. He should have gone straight to bed, yet he’d been so reluctant to bring their conversation to its hasty and logical end, with both of them heading off to their respective rooms for a good night’s sleep. It was too much fun watching her blush, and he had simply poured himself another drink and all but forced her to join him.

      Thinking of that blasted drink, Ben had to smile to himself. Served the chit right for choking on it. It softened the blow—literally—for that damn book she’d thrown at him. Lucky thing she kissed better than she threw or his head would be throbbing more than it already was.

      But that kiss…

      After she’d fled the room, he’d had another drink, trying to tame his rampant emotions. He was angry, but mainly with himself. Couldn’t really blame her for trying to brain him. He’d treated her quite cavalierly after that kiss, but it was the only way he could think of to get her out of the room before his tenuous control slipped once more.

      If it were any other female, he’d simply bed her—no better way to get a woman out of one’s mind. But she was Robert’s sister and seduction was not an option.

      Robert was saying something about lunch and Ben realized he hadn’t been listening. Robert was looking at him, clearly waiting for an answer.

      Ben wasn’t sure what the question had been, but took a stab at an answer anyway. “Oh, no. I have to return home. Mrs. Davis should be in today, cleaning or whatever it is she does to ready the house for the season. Have a few things to do myself. You on for White’s tonight?”

      “Tonight’s the old engagement party, lad…as I’ve been telling you. ’Fraid I’m obliged to make an appearance. You should come, though—I know you weren’t planning on being in town, but now that you’re here…”

      “I’ll think about it. Right now I need to rest up and set my head to rights. Not quite myself yet this morning.”

      “Noted,” Robert said dryly, “but I’ll be expecting you tonight anyway—besides, I’d get great satisfaction out of unbalancing Horse Face’s guest list.”

      Ben glanced at his pocket watch. It was nearly eleven. He’d better leave Robert’s soon lest Kate make an appearance.

      He nodded distractedly. “I’ll try to make it, Rob. But now I really must go. I have business of my own to attend to.” He pushed his uneaten breakfast back and rose from his seat. “Enjoy your lunch…who’d you say you were dining with?”

      Robert sighed. “Charlotte and Kate.”

      “Kate?”

      “My sister, dunce. Did you hear anything I was saying?”

      “Like I said, I’m not myself this early. But self shall return before this evening. You have my