Page 87 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
“How would you know that?” Lovingdon asked.
“I’ve spoken with her about the particulars.”
“Oh, my God, Rex,” Grace said softly, slowly, trancelike. “Your interest doesn’t reside with Miss Hammersley at all, does it? It rests with Lady Landsdowne, the notorious heiress herself.”
Grace had always been too sharp by half. “Don’t refer to her in that manner. She’s not deserving of it.”
“Bloody hell, Grace has the right of it!” Andrew fairly crowed with glee.
“Andrew, watch your language at the table,” their father chastised. “There are ladies about.”
“Grace uses profanity more often than I do.”
“That does not excuse your behavior.” Even with his eyesight nearly gone, their father could deliver a formidable glare designed to keep his children in line, no matter their age.
“Sorry, Father. Ladies, if I offended I apologize. Can we return to the important issue here? Is it Lady Landsdowne who holds your interest?”
Taking a slow swallow of wine, Rexton was aware of the thick silence stretching between him and the others, everyone waiting on tenterhooks. He wasn’t even certain anyone breathed. “I will admit to being fascinated by her.”
“So you’re escorting her sister about,” Grace began hesitantly as though deciphering a complex problem, “so you can... what exactly? Have an excuse to cross paths with Lady Landsdowne?”
“It’s a long story. Suffice it to say their uncle, Garrett Hammersley, thought if I gave a bit of attention to Miss Hammersley, it would make her more acceptable to Society and other gents would take an interest in her. In the process I met Lady Landsdowne.”
“What is the benefit to you in this arrangement if not to acquire a wife?” his father asked. He’d forever questioned their motives and behaviors, insistent they set a good example.
Rexton couldn’t very well tell the present benefit without earning his mother’s wrath—and his sister’s and no doubt Ophelia’s as well. “Hammersley offered me Black Diamond for stud.” Once upon a time.
His father’s eyebrows winged up. “That’s a fine stallion.”
“Precisely.”
“Still, rather unconventional trade there.”
Especially the one which had replaced it. Although it was far more valuable than the original... and he feared in the end it would be far more costly. He’d gone into it as a business arrangement. Now it was anything but cold and calculating. At least from his perspective.
“He wants the girl married,” Rexton felt obligated to say.
“So she becomes someone else’s problem,” Grace announced indignantly. She was far more independent than most ladies of her station and often found fault with how men overall viewed a woman’s place in the world.
“It is not my place to judge,” he said.
“Yet you brought me in on this ruse, asking that I approach you at the park to give some legitimacy to this endeavor, then having me escort the girl around the ballroom as though I’d taken her under my wing expecting her to become part of the family. I do wish you’d been honest about the reasons behind your seeking my assistance. I thought I was helpingyouto secure a wife.”
He grinned at her. “Which was the only way to ensure your compliance. I would appreciate it, however, if you would continue to make Miss Hammersley feel accepted, and Lady Landsdowne as well, should your paths cross.”
“You’re not seriously considering marrying a divorced woman.” His sister, who was usually so accepting of people, sounded horrified by the notion.
“I’m not certain those around this table should be casting stones regarding questionable behavior.”
“But to be divorced is beyond the pale. I know no one else who has done such a thing. It’s quite ruinous to one’s social standing.”
“So you can well imagine how desperately she wanted to be rid of Landsdowne, knowing the censure she would receive. Would you think more highly of her if she’d poisoned him or she’d spent her life in misery honoring vows that meant nothing to him? I find her courageous and admirable and spirited. You would as well if you took the time to get to know her.”
Grace and everyone else at the table stared at him as though he’d lost his mind. “My apologies for the outburst, but I find her to be the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever met. As soon as her sister is situated, she’ll return to New York and we shall be the poorer for it.” He stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a bit of air.”
When he reached the terrace, he was still trembling with indignation on Tillie’s behalf. He took several deep breaths, and tried to imagine how it might have been for her when she’d told her family she was to be a divorced woman. Gina had stood by her but what of the others? He’d never seen Tillie with her uncle. He recalled the night he’d asked Rexton for his help. He’d certainly not used flattering language where his elder niece was concerned.
When he heard the quiet footsteps, he blew out a gust of air before turning to face his mother. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to ruin dinner.”
