Page 10 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
“I think he just didn’t know what to say because we don’t know each other very well.”
That wasn’t it. He and Tillie knew each other even less and yet he never seemed to lack for words where she was concerned. He hadn’t settled for something as mundane as the shape or hue of a petal when he spoke with her. “Which means he should attempt to get to know you, all aspects of you, and I just didn’t have the sense he was striving to do that.”
All the exuberance drained from Gina, and Tillie hated that she’d burst her sister’s bubble of happiness, but she couldn’t stand the thought of her marrying a man who didn’t appreciate her, who wouldn’t treat her as kindly and as well as she deserved. Her mother had guided Tillie toward a title and nothing else. She’d never sought to counsel her on the ways of men, on how to best determine what lurked within their souls—whether it was for good or wicked.
“Do you think it’s possible you made him uncomfortable?” Gina asked. “I did catch you glaring a few times.”
“I doubt anyone makes the Marquess of Rexton uncomfortable.”
“He does seem rather strong, doesn’t he? Very sure of himself. I was left with the impression he wanted to be driving the horses himself.”
Tillie smiled encouragingly at her sister. “Yes, I think you’re correct there. He didn’t seem to have the patience for just sitting. I actually think he would have preferred to be out riding.”
Gina perked up. “I’ll suggest that next time, that we go riding instead of in the carriage.”
Again that tightening in her chest when she thought of her sister with Rexton. It was damned irritating. She wanted her sister to find happiness, and it was quite possible that Tillie had misread the marquess and his intentions.
“Just don’t become so infatuated with the notion you’ll become a duchess someday that you forget you’ll be married to the duke. Pay very close attention to the way he treats you, to the things he says, look for little signs that he’s not being honest with you.”
“Such as?”
So many things. Where to even begin? “His attention diverting to other women when he’s with you. Talking at you and not with you. It’s difficult really to explain.”
Gina shifted around on the bed, took Tillie’s hands, and squeezed. “You’re so much wiser than I am, Tillie. You’re right that I get so caught up in being with him that I don’t pay as much attention as I should. I’m not objective because he makes my stomach do all these crazy somersaults. But you, you’re objective.”
Not so much. Not really. Especially as he madeherstomach feel queasy.
“He’s invited me to go to the theater tomorrow evening. Will you come with us? We’ll tell him you’re serving as my chaperone, which you will be, but you can also analyze him. Help me determine if he’s the one.”
Tillie shook her head. One afternoon in his presence was enough. “No, I don’t think that would be wise.”
“Why not?”
Because he caused her to grow warm, to wonder what his kisses might be like, if his lips were as soft as they appeared. He made her wonder what his hands looked like without gloves, what his chest looked like without a shirt, what his backside looked like without trousers. What his front side looked like as well. “I don’t think I made him uncomfortable, as you insinuated earlier, but I do think I might be a distraction.”
“Because he’s drawn to you?”
Tillie shot off the bed and began pacing. “No, of course not. But he does know I’m judging him. I said as much before you joined us in the parlor.”
“Then he’ll probably expect you to accompany us. I need you, Tillie. I need your guidance. I don’t want to make an awful mistake like you did.”
Tillie brought her pacing to an abrupt halt.
“I’m sorry,” Gina said quickly. “I didn’t mean to say you made a mistake.”
Tillie smiled softly at her. “But I did. Then I made it worse.” And tainted her sister in the process. “Rexton requires a wife who is not stained by scandal. The reception we received at the park had nothing to do with his horses, and everything to do with my presence. In public, we must be separate and keep a distance between us if you are to have any hope at all of snagging a future duke—or any lord for that matter.”
“That’s hardly fair.”
“But it is the way of things.” Returning to the bed, she took Gina’s hands and squeezed. “I want you to find happiness. Nothing matters more to me.”
“I want you to be happy, too.”
“And I will be. Once you are well situated.”
Some minutes later, when Gina returned to her bedchamber, she rang for her maid. While waiting, she removed her hat and gloves before glowering at her reflection in the mirror. “Not as clever as you thought, are you?”
The rap on her door was faint. Her servant come to call. “Enter.”
