Page 22 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
Her chin that reminded him of the bottom half of a heart came up a notch. “I am gathered.” Her chin dipped a fraction. “But a bit unsettled. Still, I don’t think I should leave Gina alone with your brother.”
“He’s not going to take advantage of a woman in whom I’ve shown interest.” He knew that to the depths of his soul.
With a slight nod, she walked over to the railing and gazed down into the fairly empty lobby. He eased up beside her, not as near to her as he’d like. He couldn’t feel the warmth of her body, but her lavender and orchid fragrance still wafted around him, teased his nostrils.
“What made you step into the hallway?” she asked quietly.
I was worried.For her to leave her sister unattended, he’d sensed something was amiss, but it probably wouldn’t do to let her know she occupied his thoughts far more than Miss Hammersley did. “I just needed a bit of air. Do gentlemen often accost you?”
“It was hardly an accosting. But men—and ladies for that matter—do tend to make assumptions regarding my character based on my past actions.” She gave him a pointed look. “Don’t you?”
He had, but she was unraveling the tapestry he’d woven regarding the sort of woman she was. She was capable of great love, showered her sister with it. He found himself envying anyone to whom she might give her heart. “It cost you dearly to accompany us tonight.”
“You’re referring to the flagrant hatred cast my way when we walked in. I’m immune to it.”
Only she wasn’t. But still she’d held her head high, her shoulders back. “Gina seems unaware of the difficulties you face when you venture out in public.”
“She believes in goodness, that people aren’t deliberately cruel. I prefer she maintain that optimistic outlook.”
“Were you like her before you married?”
She looked away, glanced down. “I don’t know if I ever was quite that hopeful.”
He wondered if he’d been in search of a wife years ago, if he’d met her, courted her, if her life might be different now. He had a strong urge to guard her against the unkindness of others, even though she wasn’t his to protect or care about.
She spun around. “We should go back in now, before Gina begins to worry.”
He couldn’t say he was surprised to see Andrew had moved up to sit beside Gina. His brother enjoyed women, all women, but he knew Andrew wasn’t taking advantage. Andrew glanced back, started to rise, but Rexton signaled to him to stay as he was. He leaned toward Lady Landsdowne. “No sense in disturbing your sister.”
With a nod, she allowed him to assist her in sitting on the row behind. He took his place beside her, which was where he’d wanted to be all night. She intrigued him in a thousand different ways and possessed a dignity he could not help but admire.
He found himself wishing she was the one Garrett Hammersley had asked him to court.
At least with him sitting beside her, she couldn’t erroneously imagine his gaze was focused on her. When she looked at him out of the corner of her eye, she could see his attention was directed forward, away from her. Still being this close to him made her all the more aware of him.
His kindness in the hallway after her encounter with Wickham had nearly brought her to tears. It had been so very long since anyone besides Gina had shown her true concern. If she were honest, she couldn’t claim Downie would have threatened to break fingers on her behalf. He’d never been the jealous sort. She wasn’t even certain he’d been jealous of her encounter with the footman. Furious, yes. Embarrassed beyond reason, yes. Mortified, certainly. His pride had taken a blow. But his heart bruised? She doubted it.
She couldn’t ascertain why Rexton had made the threat. He wasn’t interested in her. Was it merely because of her relationship to Gina? Would he extend his protection of her sister beyond Gina to encompass Tillie? She didn’t want to like him for it, but she did. Still she was bothered he’d come to look for her at all, that in doing so he’d abandoned Gina. Not abandoned her entirely—he’d left his brother to keep her company.
She was striving to find fault with him because of her own reactions to his nearness, because of this damned awareness of him that plagued her. His scent circled about her and eased into the marrow of her bones. She wanted to reach out and squeeze Rexton’s gloved hand where it rested on his muscular thigh. She wanted him to reach out and take hers. When his hand had curled over her shoulder, she’d felt the warmth as though he wasn’t wearing gloves. She was actually glad to have him sitting nearer to her. Which was unconscionable.
What if she’d worn her favorite gown—not because of pride as she’d surmised—but because secretly she’d wanted him to notice her? She wouldn’t overtly attempt to steal away a man who was showing interest in Gina—but what if there was a horrible part of her willing to do it covertly?
The man drew her attention and held on to it like a conqueror who would relinquish none of the lands he held. The irony was that he didn’t realize the effect he had on her—and that she didn’t have the same effect on him. Which was all good news for Gina. Rexton appeared to be loyal, but Tillie knew all too well that appearances were deceiving.
Thank God, the curtains finally closed. Clapping enthusiastically Gina leaped to her feet. Tillie followed suit even though she had no idea if the performances were worthy of such exuberance. It didn’t matter. The thing was at an end, and she’d finally be free of the confines of the small box, the nearness of Rexton. Even the thought of facing all the censorious gazes brought her no apprehension. She’d wade through hell for the chance to escape his nearness in a way that didn’t make it obvious she was running away.
Smile wide, Gina swung around. “My lord, that was wonderful. Thank you so much.”
His grin was a bit self-mocking. “I had nothing at all to do with the performances.”
“But you brought us, allowed us to sit in your box. That was so very kind of you.”
“It was my pleasure. I don’t think my box has ever been graced with such beauty.”
“I can attest to the truth of that,” Lord Andrew said. “I daresay I regret I have other plans and must dash off.”
Reaching out, Gina touched his arm. “Thank you, my lord, for keeping me company when my sister and your brother needed a bit of air.”
