Page 75 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
“On the contrary. He is unrelenting in his inquiries.”
Tillie furrowed her brow. “What does he want to know?”
“He asks a good deal about our life in New York.”
“Well, then, you see he’s asking after you.”
Gina smiled. “No. He wants to know about our residence there. If that’s where you’ll live when you return to the city. What do we do in New York? Doyougo to the theater, the parks? What doyoulike to do for enjoyment? It always comes back to you.”
She looked at the book in her lap, ran her finger over the spine. “I suppose I should be flattered.”
“I think you’re going to meet him in secret once I leave you.”
Tillie jerked her head up so quickly that she heard a little pop in her neck. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m dressed for bed.”
“Of course. I forget one can’t change one’s clothes after midnight.”
“Gina—”
“It’s all right, Tillie.” Her sister slid off the bed, came toward her, and looked down on her with a serene smile. “I want you to be happy. He makes you so, doesn’t he?”
“I do like him.” That was the most she’d admit. “However, nothing permanent can come of it.”
“Why not?”
She pushed herself up and began to pace. “Because I’m scandal-ridden.”
“He obviously doesn’t care. People see the two of you together—”
She swung around. “They see the three of us together. They know I’m acting as chaperone. I suspect many are questioning that. I’m not good for him. Not in the long run. And it doesn’t matter. That’s not what he wants.” He was clear up front. He wanted an affair only. She wanted the same. She had no desire to be tied here.
Crossing over to her sister, she took Gina’s hands. “Don’t worry about me, sweeting. This is your Season. We need to ensure that you’re happy, that you find the right man.”
“You’re right. I believe a couple of gents are going to call on me tomorrow. I’ll want you there to observe, to share your insights.”
“Yes, of course.”
Gina yawned. “Now I must be abed. It wouldn’t do at all for me to nod off while they’re trying to woo me.”
“Sleep well.”
Gina gave her a saucy smile, a twinkle in her eyes. “You, too.”
As her sister wandered out, Tillie settled back into the chair, picked up her book, and pretended to be reading. What she really wanted to do was dash out of the residence and to the waiting carriage, the waiting man. Although, he might not still be there. He might have given up on her ever appearing. But she had to give Gina time to retire before slipping out of the residence. Even if her sister suspected the truth, Tillie had no plans to confirm it. Still it was difficult to wait when she wanted to be with him so badly. The extent to which she was drawn to him was unnerving. So she forced herself to wait a full half hour simply to prove she could.
Then she grabbed her cloak, drew it about her, and stepped into the hallway. All was quiet. Gina was no doubt asleep by now. Tillie made a mad dash down the stairs and out the door. On slippered feet, she raced along the drive—
Her progress was abruptly stopped as an arm snaked around her and brought her up against a hard body. Her squeal was cut off as a warm, seductive mouth blanketed hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she melted against Rexton, grateful she hadn’t needed to go a minute longer without being pressed against him, surrounded by his fragrance, enjoying his taste, his enthusiasm, his nearness.
Drawing back, she held his gaze. “What are you doing here?”
“I wasn’t going to have you traipsing in the dark to my carriage.” His gaze dipped down. “What the devil are you wearing?”
“My nightclothes. I assumed we’d be going straight to bed once we arrived at your residence.”
He gave her a slow, wicked grin. “We are now.”
From her window, Gina watched as Tillie was snatched up by Rexton. She felt guilty not looking away as the marquess kissed her sister. Their bodies practically melded into one. Then they were dashing down the drive, no doubt to his waiting carriage.
