Page 79 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
Somerdale visibly relaxed. “I shall strive to offer some that is worthy of you.” He turned to Gina. “I must be off.”
“Must you?” Gina asked. “I do wish you wouldn’t allow Lord Rexton to chase you away.”
“Oh, it isn’t that...”
Although Tillie suspected it was exactly that, and in her mind, it made him unsuitable for Gina.
“I’d dearly love for you to take me on a stroll through the park,” Gina said, boldly, batting her eyelashes at him. “My sister and Lord Rexton could serve as chaperones.”
“I very much doubt—”
“Splendid notion,” Rexton said before the earl could finish. “Perhaps you can teach me a thing or two about courtship, Somerdale.”
Tillie knew it was impossible, but if it weren’t, she was fairly certain Somerdale’s chin would have touched the carpet, his mouth was so agape.
“To be honest, my lord, I would like to take the lady to the park.”
“Then let’s be on our way, shall we?” Rexton bowed slightly toward her. “If you don’t mind accompanying me, Lady Landsdowne?”
“I was beginning to wonder if I ever was going to be included in this conversation and my opinion sought on the ridiculous notion of you allowing Somerdale to escort a lady in whom you’ve been showing interest.”
“Oh, Tillie, don’t be a spoilsport. I’d love to have a bit more time with Lord Somerdale.” Her sister reached out and patted the mentioned man’s arm. He preened. “Then I’ll have a spot of tea with Lord Rexton. Until I make a decision, I don’t see why I can’t have more than one swain. Besides, you could do with a bit of sun. You’re looking far too pale these days. I’ll snag our parasols, shall I?”
She considered objecting, but in the end, decided it couldn’t hurt for Gina to be seen with two gentlemen in tow, even if the second was walking beside Tillie while she followed her sister and Somerdale. They’d ridden to the park in Rexton’s open carriage, so Tillie suspected he had planned to bring them to the park all along, but for a ride, not a walk.
“I don’t know why we didn’t remain in your carriage,” she muttered.
“My presence intimidates Somerdale.”
She could see that, suspected his presence intimidated everyone.
“Give me your arm,” Rexton said quietly.
She didn’t. She skewed her face into a moue of displeasure. “You could at least show a measure of jealousy because a man is infringing upon your interests.”
“But he’s not.”
“He should think he is.”
“I don’t want to overplay my hand. If he believes I’ve staked a claim, he’s going to scurry away.” Reaching down, he closed his fingers around her wrist.
She tugged. His hold tightened.
“Don’t make a scene,” he ordered. “It will do harm to Gina’s quest.”
Narrowing her eyes, she relaxed, allowed him to tuck her hand into the crook of his arm.
“Much better,” he murmured.
His look of pure satisfaction made her want to laugh and smack him at the same time. During the past week, she’d laughed more with him than she could remember laughing during her entire time in England before him.
“I want to see you tonight,” he said.
“You didn’t take Gina anywhere yesterday,” she reminded him.
“Surely it’s time to let that little rule go to the wayside. Besides, if I’m correct about Somerdale’s interest, I’m not going to have that many more nights with you.”
And she wouldn’t have many with him. She didn’t want to be in the habit of sharing every night with him, because it would be so dreadfully difficult to face all the nights that awaited her without him. “I have plans for the evening.”
