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she simply couldn’t help the reaction since it was so distasteful to her.
    “And here I thought you wanted to see me.”
    “Don’t be absurd.” His expression seemed almost appalled at the very idea of enjoying her company.
    Why should she try to be civil when Mr. Warren didn’t seem to have a civil bone in his body?
    “You know how important it is to keep up appearances,” he said. “What should anyone of worth think if I hadn’t called on you once before the announcement is made in the papers?”
    “You’re right.”
    “Yes, I always am. You needn’t question my judgment about anything.”
    Pompous ass.
    “I constantly question your reason for this farce you insist on calling courting.”
    “I only visit you at your father’s insistence.”
    “How kind of you to think of my feelings.”
    “Kindness has nothing to do with it. And feelings are solely a woman’s prerogative, and have nothing to do with the better sex.” He tapped his fingers almost impatiently along the mantel. “You’ll learn your place and to save your feelings for any children we have.”
    Was she so terrible a person to warrant such cruel treatment from him? She’d never really met anyone who disliked her on first meeting her.
    He pulled out his watch and looked at the time. He must be in a hurry, which was fine by her.
    “Do you have somewhere else you need to be, Mr. Warren? Don’t let me keep you from any engagements.”
    “I’ll stay the allotted fifteen minutes for tea.”
    What a shame he wasn’t in a rush to leave.
    She motioned toward the settees in the room. “Would you like to sit with me for a spell?”
    He took the seat opposite hers and stared at her oddly.
    Charlotte had to fold her hands in her lap lest she fidget under his inspection.
    “Were you out walking?”
    Charlotte looked down at her dress. “Genny and I shopped along Bond Street.”
    “I always thought high society fashion and the necessity for fripperies excessive. I suppose there is nothing to be done about it if we’re to keep up appearances.”
    “How very practical of you.”
    Why did Mr. Warren entertain the idea of marrying her when he so obviously disdained her? Genny arrived before long and Charlotte suffered through the next fifteen minutes of bland conversation, thinking the whole time about the duchess’s ball and a very different man from the one sitting across from her. Any life would be better than a life where she’d be forever known as Fallon’s wife. She’d find a way to stop the wedding and hopefully soon so she wouldn’t ever again have to sit the allotted fifteen minutes for tea with him.
    *   *   *
     
    While this might be Charlotte’s third Carleton event of the season, she realized for the first time that the marquess hadn’t actually attended any of the previous gatherings. She refused to think that he was unable to secure an invitation for the dinner party tonight. She was positive that she had captivated him just as much as he had intrigued her; he’d find a way.
    Her gaze strayed to the entrance where guests came into the grandly appointed parlor. Would the marquess wander through shortly with his refined air and dashing image?
    Why was she obsessing over a man she barely knew? Maybe the fascination lay solely in what she might uncover about his character?
    Not in all her life had she ever been so attuned to one person. Aside from the fact that the marquess’s dangerous reputation interested her, she wondered if all rogues had a clever way with words and actions that attracted the innocent so easily. What a ninny she was. Of course they did; that was how they garnered the status of rogue in the first place.
    Ariel nudged her elbow lightly into Charlotte’s side.
    “I’m so sorry.” Charlotte placed her hand on Lady Hargrove’s gloved forearm as she returned her focus to those she stood with. “What was it you asked?”
    She really was allocating too many of her thoughts to the marquess. She should