Page 16 of Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses
She glanced over at her hostess. “Would that meet with your approval, Duchess? If we go for a short stroll? My maid can serve as chaperone.” To ensure her presence wouldn’t be too much of a burden on the Greystone staff, she’d brought Annie with her.
“I think it’s a lovely day for an outing. Go with my blessing.”
Sometime later she and Somerdale were strolling arm in arm through Hyde Park. Every now and then a gentleman would walk or ride by—in a carriage or on a horse—and tip his hat to her. Amazing the attention one garnered when no longer associated with scandal. She found it somewhat of a relief to have some confirmation that her uneventful Season had not rested squarely upon her shoulders.
“I’ve not seen you at the Twin Dragons of late,” Somerdale said.
“I’ve been frightfully busy. The wedding came about in such a rush.”
He chuckled. “I daresay you have the right of that. There are wagers at White’s on Rexton’s heir arriving within eight months.”
“Truly.” She didn’t bother to hide her irritation that men would wager on something that was none of their business, or that they still considered Tillie scandalous enough to find herself with child before she was married—although Gina knew there was a chance she could be with child. But if she was, her sister would have told her, would have gone ahead and shared the joy. Tillie had long wanted a child, but she’d been unlucky in that regard during her first marriage. “What position did you take on the wager?”
His cheeks reddening, he cleared his throat, looked down at the grass as though the answer resided there. “I wagered it would come early... in seven months.”
“Pity. You’ll not be collecting on that wager.”
His look was one of incredulity. “She’s not with child?”
“No. Did no one consider they married in haste because they wanted to be together so desperately? They’re frightfully in love. I found the whole affair terribly romantic.”
“I’ve offended you.”
“Disappointed more like. I want someone to love me to distraction just as Rexton loves her, to insist the wedding take place immediately so we might be together.”
“Marry in haste, repent in leisure. One should not rush into these things.”
“Marry in leisure and you might have the woman doubting your devotion to her.”
“You’re quite right. Marrying in haste is the way to go. What are your thoughts on courtship? Should it go just as quickly?”
“I suppose it depends on the couple and their relationship, as well as what they feel for each other.”
“I adore you.”
She stopped and stared at him. His blunt admission was unexpected. She’d been rather certain he fancied her, but he’d given no previous hint his affections ran so deeply.
“Apologies. I’ve spoken out of turn and embarrassed you,” he said.
“No, I... I simply wasn’t expecting a declaration so soon.” In all honesty, she was flummoxed by it. He hadn’t seemed particularly devoted, but had given the impression he was constantly testing the waters regarding her suitability. “I do hold some affection for you, but I’m not yet to the point where I can commit myself... to anyone.”
“Again, my apologies. You did not sit out a single dance. You had attention aplenty. I’m feeling a bit insecure and questioning my skills at wooing, as I’ve never before put them to the test.”
She couldn’t imagine Andrew feeling insecure about anything. If he was at all bothered by attention being given to a woman he fancied, she suspected he’d react with jealousy. He’d assert himself and make it known the lady held his regard and was not available.
“I have more competition now that your sister’s fortunes have changed,” Somerdale continued.
He was referring to the overlooking of Tillie’s scandalous past. “She never should have been considered anotorious heiressto begin with.” The unkind moniker had been attributed to her sister ever since she’d been spied kissing a footman. Few knew it had been a ruse to force her husband to divorce her.
“Perhaps not, but her actions were rather... untoward. I mean no offense, of course, but I seem to have gotten myself into a pickle here.”
She hadn’t helped matters by putting him on the spot. Rather ungracious of her. She gave him a soft smile. “Don’t be concerned with the other gents. I’ll not forget you took me rowing when everyone else was barely acknowledging me.”
“I shall take comfort in knowing I have a leg up,” he said as he started forward. “And what of Lord Andrew Mabry?”
“Pardon?”
“I noticed you waltzed with him last night.”
