Page 78 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
He’d chastised himself from the moment he awoke. As completely and utterly ridiculous as it was, he missed her. And that in itself was strange. He rarely missed anyone, let alone a woman he’d bedded once.
But of course she wasn’t any woman. She was the one who he’d thought about every day. And now he feared the new memories they’d made would haunt him after their scheme was finished.
He had no regrets.Enjoy all. Regret nothing.The problem was that he could never be satisfied with returning to how they’d once been. Friendship was well and good, but now they’d shared more. And he wanted more still.
Unfortunately, as far as he could tell, Bella wasn’t suffering any of the same worries. They’d been back from the seaside for three days and hadn’t exchangeda word. He’d considered sending a note. The previous day he’d walked halfway across the field between Edgecombe and Hillcrest before turning back.
He’d vowed to himself that he’d accede to Bella’s wishes.
Lately, he hated himself for that vow. Pursuit was his instinct. Yet she deserved better than a man with his tendency to act on every impulse.
At the edge of the conservatory, he leaned his forehead against the cool glass and stared out toward Hillcrest. They were engaged, for bloody sake. He could at least pay her a visit.
“What do you think?” Meg stood on the other side of the conservatory in a gown of deep purple with a row of satin flowers at the neckline and beads sparkling along the hem. “It’s a ball gown.”
“Quite a ball gown.” Rhys smiled at her excitement.
She was practically bouncing while standing in place.
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
“You look lovely.” And far too innocent. For the first time, he felt real trepidation about the sort of men she might encounter on the marriage mart. He was prepared to offer a generous dowry, but she was so eager to fall in love, he feared she’d be easy prey for fortune hunters.
“For a gambler, you certainly have a difficult time concealing what you’re thinking.”
“Do I?” He must be slipping. His unflappable facade had been honed with years of practice.
“You’re worrying. Mama used to wear that same frown when she fretted.” She stepped toward him, drawing her beaded train behind her. “She fretted a great deal.”
“Father gave her plenty of reasons.” Rhys thought of Mrs. Turner and his stomach twisted.
“Please don’t fret about me before I’ve been to my first ball.” She offered him a mischievous smile. “Bella has prepared me better than you can imagine.”
Just the mention of her made his mouth water. “Oh did she? How’s that, then?” He flicked his shirtsleeves down and buttoned the cuffs, trying for as much nonchalance as he could muster.
“She says there are ways to discern a gentleman’s motives, even if he wishes to hide them from you.”
“Quite a skill to impart.” Rhys swallowed hard. He had no doubt he was the reason for Bella’s distrust of men’s intentions. “How does one discern a man’s true intentions?”
Meg blinked. “I’m not sure I’m supposed to confide them to a gentleman.”
“I’m your brother.” And a wastrel by the standards of London good society. “You’re probably right. Perhaps it’s best if you ladies kept these secrets among yourselves.”
“Do you mind if I show you one of the other dresses? It’s one I may wear to our visit to the Duke and Duchess of Tremayne.”
“Which visit?”
“Did I not tell you they’ve invited us to dinner next week? You and me and Bella. I assumed you’d wish to go and I told them we’d attend. Is that all right?”
“Yes, of course.” A chance to see Bella was exactly what he wanted. “When Bella was imparting advice, did she divulge anything you can share?” Anything about him, in other words.
“She did tell me how to politely decline an offer of marriage and the reasons one should.”
“I expect you will receive proposals.”
Meg dipped her head and looked up at him through gold-brown lashes. “I do hope so. But you needn’t worry. With Bella’s help I’m sure I’ll make the right choice. As she said, there are ways to know when you’ve met a man you wish to marry.”
His heartbeat clattered in his chest so loudly he wondered if Meg could hear. “What ways?”
