Page 6 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
He held out his arms as though surrendering. “When it comes to the ladies, I have no reason to pretend. I have always found honesty in relationships to serve me well.”
“Then you should have no fear of being found lacking while courting Gina.”
He chuckled low, provocatively. “Being found lacking has never been a fear.”
Before she could stop it, her gaze dipped to his lap, lower. She jerked her attention back to the passing scenery but not before she saw his satisfied smirk. No, he wouldn’t do at all for Gina. Tillie would always see innuendo in his eyes, read it in his face, hear it in his voice. What did it matter? As soon as Gina was wedded, she suspected she’d never see him again.
“Why didn’t you return to America?” he asked.
She hated the inquisition. He should be talking with Gina, not her. Yet she felt compelled to respond. “Gina adores England. I couldn’t very well leave her here alone.”
But she would leave... once Gina was married. Her sister didn’t understand how much she despised it here, how difficult it was to live with the constant shunning and isolation. Another reason she needed to ensure the man who married Gina would be protective of her sister. Even as she had that thought, she couldn’t imagine Rexton not safeguarding what he viewed as his. Perhaps he would make an excellent choice for Gina, after all.
“When I marry a man of position,” Gina said, “everyone will have to welcome you back into Society, Tillie. Then we can attend balls together.”
Reassuringly she patted her sister’s hand. “I’m sure you’re quite right.”
But she saw the truth reflected in Rexton’s blue eyes. Society would never welcome her back. She had moved into their circles only to bring mortification to one of their own. The divorce was bad enough but an affair with a footman...
Although, if she hadn’t been seen kissing a footman, she wouldn’t be divorced. Landsdowne had viewed her as property and the law had given him the right to do so. Her father had been too ill to help her get out of the unconscionable situation in which she’d found herself. Miserable didn’t begin to describe it. So she’d taken care of the matter herself.
“I’m afraid I’ve never been one for keeping up with Society gossip. How long were you married?” he asked.
She gave him a pointed look. “I’m the chaperone. You really should be directing your questions toward the lady you’re courting.”
That wicked grin again, the one that said he knew what she was about, striving to deflect his attention away from her. “How long was your sister married?” he asked Gina.
Gina opened her mouth—
“That’s not what I meant,” Tillie responded quickly, with acerbity, not bothering to hide her irritation. “You should be asking Gina questions about herself. Or perhaps you’re not truly interested in her, but in her money. In spite of what you say about not needing it.”
He angled his head down slightly in acquiescence although she couldn’t see this man bowing down before anyone. Even if he gave the appearance of giving in, she suspected he’d be working out how to get even, how to regain the upper hand. “You’re quite right. Miss Hammersley—”
“Please, you must call me Gina. I hate formality.”
“It can be rather tedious,” he admitted.
“But necessary,” Tillie said insistently. “Gina, you do not give a gentleman leave to call you by your Christian name until you have an understanding between you.”
“The understanding is that he need not be so formal.”
“It sends an improper message.”
“And you would know all about improper messages, would you not, my lady?” Rexton asked pointedly.
“I would take care, Lord Rexton, if you wish to impress upon me your favorable merits when it comes to courting Gina.”
He studied her for three full heartbeats during which time she suspected he was striving to determine if what he gained by pushing her was worth the price he would pay for doing so. Finally, he turned away from her. “So,Miss Hammersley,tell me what you value in a husband.”
She’d won. She wondered why she took so little satisfaction in it.
“Someone who is kind, generous. Someone who makes me happy.”
“What makes you happy?”
It was a good question, one Landsdowne had never asked Tillie. Although if he had, she doubted she would have said, “A man who is faithful.” She’d thought it a given. She’d thought a lot of things a given. Devotion, attending affairs together, carrying on conversations during meals, always living in the same residence—not only during the Season when they were in London but throughout the year.
Gina gave a joyful sigh. “Pretty frocks. A generous allowance. Chocolates.”
