Page 26 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
“Why are you showing an interest in her? She doesn’t strike me as your type.”
“She’s a lovely girl.” He realized too late that he’d said it too defensively, and Minerva, who was too sharp by half, picked up on it. Her mouth thinned into a disapproving straight line.
“Lovely doesn’t suit you.”
“And you know what suits me, do you?”
“She’s too genteel and gentle. I don’t think she’s weak necessarily, but neither do I believe she’d ever stand up to you.”
Unlike her sister who had no qualms whatsoever in striving to keep him in his place. “Perhaps I want biddable in a wife.”
“You’ll be miserable.”
Damnation, of course, he would. He didn’t want someone who looked at him as though he hung the moon and stars. He didn’t want a wife who didn’t challenge him to be better, who didn’t look at him as though he were up to no good when in fact he was. “I’m simply testing the waters of courtship.”
“She could get hurt.”
He knew that fact which was the very reason he was striving to take such care. It had been three nights since he’d escorted her to the theater. He’d sent her flowers and more chocolates, but he couldn’t accomplish his goal if he ignored her completely. “For God’s sake, Minerva, while you’ve stood there putting me through an inquisition on matters that are none of your concern, three gentlemen have approached her. Last week, I was the only one to dance with her. My attentiveness to her makes others wonder what hidden gem I’ve discovered.”
“So you’re doing it as a favor to her?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. Now, leave off. I know what I’m doing.”
“For her sake, I shall hope so. For yours as well. I’d hate to be forced to beat you up for not being sensitive to a lady’s plight.”
He’d heard rumors she had a very wicked knee that could fell a fellow. “Why don’t you go bother your husband?”
Her smile lit her eyes. “Trust me. Ashe never sees me as a bother.”
Of course he didn’t. The man was ridiculously in love with her. Although Rexton had to admit Minerva deserved that sort of devotion. All women did. Still, she wasn’t going to make him doubt his plan.
No, Gina was going to do that herself with the bright smile she bestowed upon him as he approached her when there was a break in the music. Two dances had seen her with partners, chaps younger than he and more suited to her. But would they meet with her sister’s approval? That was the question. Strange how he was more interested in pleasing the countess than Gina.
“My lord,” she chirped. It wasn’t natural for a woman to always be so happy. It wasn’t natural for him to be grumpy because she was joyful. He wasn’t upset with her, but Minerva was correct: he would find no peace with someone like her as his wife. He didn’t want discord, but neither did he want someone with whom he was always in agreement.
“Miss Hammersley, I wondered if you’d honor me with a dance.”
“I’d be delighted, my lord, although my card isn’t nearly as empty as it was the last time you asked. I’ve had four other gentlemen show interest.” She extended the card dangling from her wrist.
Scribbling his name, he said as offhandedly as possible, “I didn’t notice your sister here.”
“My maid is serving as chaperone tonight. It’s one thing for Tillie to accompany me to a public park or theater, but she wouldn’t intrude in a private home when she wasn’t invited.”
Of course she wouldn’t, and she wouldn’t be invited, not even by the generous and rule bending Duchess of Ashebury. Unless he’d asked. He wished he’d thought to ask. On the other hand, he didn’t relish the notion of witnessing all the glares and cuts direct she’d have received.
“It doesn’t seem quite fair, though, does it?”
He shifted his attention back to the young lady. Little wonder Minerva didn’t think they’d suit. He’d always think of her in a brotherly manner, a sister to be protected from scoundrels and rakes. “What’s that, sweetheart?” he asked, wishing he’d refrained from using an endearment when her eyes sparked with pleasure.
“That she’s not welcomed, yet Downie is.”
The earl was here? Rexton wondered if he could lure him into the card room so he could lighten his pockets a bit further.
“I realize a divorce is scandalous, but he is divorced as well.”
He gave her a sympathetic smile. “A bit more than a divorce is involved.”
“But he was a beastly husband.” Her eyes widened and she pressed a small, gloved hand to her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said. Tillie would be horrified by my words. She never speaks ill of him.”
