Page 35 of Scandalous Heiress
Pinkie chuckled and put up a palm.“Please!I’ve had two of these.But I can still see clearly, Cole.She’s got guts.No guile.Not in any way like Alicia.”
None who knew him mentioned his late unmourned wife.“I see that.”Have from the first moment I met her.
Pinkie snorted.“Do you?What else might you see?The way Ada looks at him?Then you?Really, old man.Or should I call you ‘dear boy’ like he does?He’s the boy.To play Ezzie Moore for a fool like this?Everyone knows he was to ask for her.And she takes his betrayal well, albeit with Edgecombe’s unwitting assistance.Still.Ezzie is a really sweet woman.Got a raw mouth on her and I hope to God that she uses it to give your brother the comeuppance he deserves.In public, would be best.”
Victor took in the crowd on the lawn.A few nodded toward Richard attempting to put his arms around Ada to waylay her.Anger buzzed inside him like a hive of bees.“He wants her.”
“Will you stand for it?”
“I’m not interested in marriage.”
His friend blew air through his lips.“Hell with you then!Let him have her.One more woman he ruins.Then good Ada Hanniford will be fit for no one, not a marquess—and certainly not you.”
Ada shrugged off Richard’s embrace.“Sir.Do stop this.I am not to be mauled.”
“Oh, come now, Ada.”
She dropped her mallet…upon his toes.
He yelped and hopped on one foot.
“Apply whisky to that,” she told him as she felt rather than saw those in the garden notice his pain.Pleased at her ploy, she picked up her skirts and marched through the rose bower toward the house.
Arrogant, insufferable, rude, insolent cuss.Were there enough names to call him?His unwanted attentions were a disgrace.
Ezzie, sweet soul, did not bat an eyelash.Thank heavens for Edgecombe.
“Ada!”
She whirled at the sound of Victor’s voice.
Tears sprang to her eyes and dribbled down her cheeks.She dashed them away.Why was she a watering pot now?And why wouldhecome to her?He was no more interested in her than a monk.
“Wait!Wait!”He ran up to her and took her elbow.“Are you…Oh, god.You’re crying.I’ll kill him!”
She gulped and swung away in a swish of pink linen and white ribbons.“Hog tie him.”
He circled an arm around her waist and carried her two steps into the hollow of the maze.The thick fragrances of red and white roses swam through her head as he sank one hand to her nape and pulled her flush against him.“Darling Ada.I’ll see to him.”
“Don’t call attention to him.It’s bad enough.”
“He needs rebuke.”
The comfort of his embrace washed over her like a wave.She was a glutton for affection from someone she lo… “Please don’t.”
He held her gently, unraveling all her anger.Nestling into his body, she tucked her head under his chin and let him stroke her back.Let herself ponder the reasons why she should enjoy this.Him.When she didn’t allow any man that liberty.
“Did he accost you?”he asked, his dark voice a hushed caress.He raised her chin.“You must tell me.I am for you, honestly I am.”
Fear made her shiver.“I wouldn’t tell you if he did.I’d have to marry him!And I won’t.Iwill not.He makes a spectacle of his interest in me.While I have none in him.None.And I would never shame Ezzie.”
“I know.”He thumbed away one of her tears.“I trust you, whereas I am acquainted with my brother who merits no trust at all.”
She bit her quivering lower lip, remaining close to absorb every iota of his tenderness.“Thank you.But we must not stand here like this.If your brother raises questions about my behavior, this will sound an alarm.I’ll not have it.”
He knit his brows, stepped backward and shook his head.“As much as one can apologize for another, I do for him.You do not deserve this.”
“Then leave me,” she beseeched him and nodded toward the path to one side that would lead him back to the party.“Take that route.”
