Page 92 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
He came around the desk, because he needed to ensure she heard and understood what he said. She took two steps back. He advanced. She took three steps back, then held her ground, chin coming up. He stopped when they were toe to toe.
“Our arrangement, madam, was that I would forfeit the horse if I did not see things through to a satisfactory conclusion. The terms of forfeiture have been met. The damned mare is yours.”
“You’re angry.”
“I’m bloody furious. That you would come here and presume to tell me what I do or do not owe you? I am a man of my word. I honor my vows and my promises. I could marry a woman I despised and if I swore before man and God I would forsake all others then I would be true to her and never stray. I do not take words given lightly. I am not Landsdowne.”
She blanched. “I am well aware of that.” She lifted her hand as though to touch his cheek. If she touched him, he would go to his knees and agree to have her in his life on her terms. He didn’t know what was reflected in his eyes, but she dropped her hand. “You come from a respected and noble family. You are a marquess. One day you will be a duke. You cannot be associated with a woman of scandal.”
“You have told me Americans are not favored here. I will admit I have found many of them to be rather crass, boasting about their wealth. And yes, madam, you judge the English just as harshly. Lord knows you’ve been ill treated by an Englishman.” He gave his head an impatient jerk. “By several, by all accounts. But by all? My brother did not turn on his heel and leave my box when he saw you sitting there. He was a gentleman, kissed your hand. My sister approached you at the park. Did you think her insincere? My mother who has not hosted a ball in years, whose husband is nearly blind, is hosting an affair that will no doubt be well attended so she can show all of London you are welcomed in her house. I would hold your hand in public, yet you want to limit what we share to the shadows. I am even willing to live away from Society, but that seems not to suit you either. Yes, madam, I am rather put out.”
He spun on his heel and headed for the double doors that led into the gardens because he feared he was very close to howling out his frustration. “The horse is yours, Lady Landsdowne. Mate her with Black Diamond. Get yourself a winner.”
She was sitting on the settee in the parlor sipping her third glass of whisky when Gina walked in.
“Oh my God, whatever is wrong? It’s early afternoon and you’re drinking.”
“I made him angry,” she said, her tone devoid of emotion.
“That’s wonderful! That’s what you’re supposed to do.” Gina sat on the settee beside her, smiling joyfully.
Tillie stared at her; her sister had gone mad. “I beg your pardon?”
“When you were giving me advice, you told me at some point I needed to make the gentleman courting me angry so I could see what he was truly like.”
Had she said that? She had a vague recollection of it. “I am not one whose courting advice you should follow.”
“So what is he like when he’s angry?”
“Cutting.” She shook her head. “No, that’s not quite accurate. His words are clipped but there is a vibration in his voice, like the lingering thrum of a chord struck on a piano. It sounds like hurt. And his eyes were those of someone wounded who was trying to pretend he wasn’t hurt.” She knew that look. She’d seen it often enough in her own reflection while she was married to Downie.
“Did he strike you?”
“No.” As angry as he’d appeared, she’d never feared him. Well, she’d had a brief moment of apprehension when he’d come around the desk and advanced on her like a soldier determined to rout out the enemy, but then she’d remembered how well she knew him and had known he wouldn’t hurt her. “He would never strike a woman, no matter how angry she made him or how much she disappointed him.”
“Do you love him, Tillie?”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. “So much, Gina. It’s frightening how much I love him.”
“Then you should be with him.”
She looked at her sister imploringly. “I can’t. Because I love him so much, I can’t. I can’t put the burden of my scandalous past on him.”
“He has awfully wide shoulders. I expect he could manage any burden just fine.”
She almost smiled at that, at the thought of his shoulders, the little hollow where she would rest her head. “But he shouldn’t have to. And neither should you. I’m going back to New York. I’m going to leave you here alone to sort out your own love life.”
“I suppose I can’t blame you for leaving. I know it’s been difficult for you to remain with me. However, it’s high time I took responsibility for myself and my own happiness, isn’t it?”
Suddenly Gina seemed more mature than Tillie had given her credit for. “You don’t feel as though I’m abandoning you?”
“Absolutely not, dear sister. I’ve learned a great deal from you, and I shall put it to good use. You needn’t worry about me.”
“I love you, Gina.”
“I know you do, but it’s time you got on with your life. And speaking of getting on—as you won’t be here for much longer, what say we do something special together?” She took the glass of whisky from Tillie and set it aside. “The Royal Tea Palace is supposed to be the place to be seen. Let’s go for high tea, shall we?”
“Gina—”
