Page 54 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
For some odd reason, she looked around him to her sister, waited several heartbeats as though seeking the answer, before turning her attention back to him. “I would like to marry into the aristocracy as it is a world with which I’m very comfortable. I prefer a husband who isn’t desperate for my money. What else should I want, Tillie?”
He didn’t think it was a good sign when a woman had to ask another what she sought in a husband.
“Kind. Generous. He should make you laugh.”
“So she should marry a jester?” he asked.
Tillie gave him an oh-you-silly-man look. “Don’t be daft. But they should have the same interests, the same outlook on the world. They should find joy in each other. Joy often leads to smiles and laughter. Surely you have known women who made you laugh.”
He considered. “My sister. A couple of friends.” But in truth, no one he’d ever bedded. Perhaps that was the reason the affairs had lasted such a short time. The sex had been good, but beyond the bed there had been little to recommend them. Conversations were brief, words seldom exchanged except for those designed to titillate.
“I think it would be splendid to be friends with my husband,” Gina said. “We’d enjoy each other’s company a bit more I think.”
“Were you and Downie friends?” he heard himself ask, hating the words even as they’d poured out of him. He didn’t want to bring up her former husband, certainly wasn’t jealous of the man who’d lost her, although he did find himself wondering if he’d have been able to hold on to her. He would have been kind and generous to her. Would he have made her laugh?
“We were nothing,” she said quietly, before applying her crop to her horse’s flank and trotting ahead.
He was about to urge his horse forward when Gina said, “She doesn’t like to discuss him. You’d be better served not to ask her questions about Downie.”
He glanced over at her. “You’ve discussed him with her?”
“Discussed is a bit of a stretch. I’ve managed to glean a little information. She’s far too secretive for her own good. But then I suppose that’s what happens when you’ve been terribly hurt. You tend to build walls.”
Then she, too, was racing off to catch up with her sister. He was torn. He didn’t want to know about her life with Downie—and yet he did. He also realized he was an absolute cad, grateful she had implied Downie had never made her laugh. If he had to tickle her from head to toe, her joyful giggles were going to be ringing in his ears when all was said and done.
He urged his horse into a trot. The ladies had slowed so it didn’t take long to catch up. As he neared he determined they were engaged in serious conversation—but it came to an abrupt halt when he was within hearing distance, leaving him with the distinct impression he’d been their subject. He didn’t much like that he found himself hoping at least one of them had been espousing upon his good qualities—whether it was Tillie striving to justify why she’d turned once again to him to assist with securing a proper husband for Gina or Gina seeking to convince Tillie that she’d be a fortunate woman indeed if Rexton gave her his attentions.
On the other hand, he was rather certain Tillie hadn’t shared with her sister the precise terms of their arrangement. Any decent woman would find it horrifying. He was rather gratified Tillie couldn’t be described as decent.
“Ladies,” he announced as he pulled up on Tillie’s left side, deciding not to separate the sisters. “We must stay together if you wish for my influence to have any bearing.”
Tillie gave him a hard-edged glare. “You should be on the other side of Gina, so it is clear where your interest lies.”
“Mypretendedinterest. Let’s be clear when it’s only the three of us.”
“But it is not only the three of us. The park is bursting at the seams with visitors this day. They need to see you showering Gina with attention.”
“And they will once our visitors are on their way.”
A faint crease appeared between her brows. “Visitors?”
“My influence alone is not enough to awaken widespread interest in Gina. We must rely on others. Halt your horses, ladies.” He was surprised they did so quickly, without argument. If he was discovering anything at all about American women, it was that they didn’t like to be ordered about.
He grinned at his sister and her husband as they approached on matching bays. The Duchess of Lovingdon had a style about her that extended to the animals in her life. Everything matched. “What a surprise running into you here!” he exclaimed.
Grace scowled at him, no doubt because he’d joined them for breakfast that morning and asked her for the favor she was now delivering. With a warm smile, she turned her attention to Tillie. “Lady Landsdowne, it’s been a while. If I may say, you’re looking well.”
She seemed surprised by the kindness in his sister’s voice. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m pleased to say I’m doing quite well. I hope the same may be said of you.”
“Quite well indeed. The duke wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“You’re very fortunate.”
“As I’m well aware.” Grace turned to Gina. “Miss Hammersley, I do hope you enjoyed yourself at our ball the other evening.”
“It was a magnificent affair, and one I shall always remember with fondness, as I became acquainted with your brother there.”
“Don’t let my brother fool you, Miss Hammersley. He is a scoundrel.”
