She watched him easily mount his beast and trot away. It wasn’t fair he should look so marvelous riding—riding, walking, sitting, damn him.
She should warn her sister off. The man was far too dangerous. He could easily capture Gina’s heart and then she would have to spend the remainder of her life knowing other women yearned for him. For how could any woman not want to be with a man of such confidence and charm?
That charm was a problem. She could easily envision him directing it Annie’s way, convincing her to be less diligent in watching the couple—and Gina with her hopeful heart would see it as an adventure to scurry off to some darkened corner of the theater for a kiss, a kiss that if discovered could ruin her reputation and her future. Blast the man. He was too smooth. She didn’t trust him.
She marched through the gardens, into the residence, and up the stairs. With a balled fist, she knocked on Gina’s bedchamber.
“Come,” her sister trilled.
Opening the door, Tillie stepped into the room. Gina sat at her dressing table, her maid holding up Gina’s hair in the midst of styling it. Yes, Annie was far too inexperienced to handle the likes of Rexton. “I’ll be attending the theater with you.”
Gina’s eyes widened and she grinned broadly. “Wonderful! What changed your mind?”
“I simply decided you were correct. I need to observe Rexton in order to determine if he will do right by you.”
“I’m so relieved. Annie has never been involved with men. She knows little of their ways.”
Whereas Tillie knew far too much.
Rexton knew he was a scoundrel, a rake, a rogue with his attempt to manipulate Lady Landsdowne into accompanying them to the theater this evening. He didn’t know why he wanted her there. Her presence didn’t serve his purposes. He needed to focus on the girl, not the woman.
Guilt over his using Gina for his own gain prodded him to stop at the confectionary shop where he purchased a dozen chocolates with jellied strawberry centers to be delivered to Gina later in the morning. Even though he wasn’t seriously courting the young woman, he’d had no business seeking out her sister in the park. If they’d been spied together, it wouldn’t have gone well for either of them. Her reputation would have been blackened further because no one would have deemed their encounter innocent. His being involved with the sister of the woman he was supposedly courting would have brought into question Gina’s appeal as a prospective wife.
He knew the uncle well enough to know he wasn’t a fool. Their arrangement had to be followed precisely. Hammersley wasn’t going to give up the stallion unless Gina had a viable suitor. It might be worth it to determine who would make a viable suitor.
The problem was he liked the girl well enough and he didn’t want to saddle her with someone who wouldn’t appreciate her, was more interested in her money than her. He cursed Lady Landsdowne for making him care, for making the task more challenging than it needed to be.
With the chocolates ordered, he rode his horse to a less affluent part of the city. Dismounting, he dashed up the steps and pounded on the door of a modest townhome. It was opened by a man who was two inches taller and a bit wider than he. His bleary-eyed look told Rexton he’d woken him up.
“What the devil are you doing here?” Jamie Swindler asked.
“I have some excess energy. Thought you might help me burn it off.”
Jamie scrubbed his hands through his thick, dark hair. “I had a late night in Whitechapel. I’m in need of sleep.”
“Come now, constable. You need to keep your fighting skills sharp. Can’t have the degenerates taking you down.”
“You have a point, I suppose. Let me have some coffee first.” Jamie was always in the mood for a solid round of fisticuffs.
Half an hour later, they were in the garden behind the house, shirts off, boxing gloves on. When Rexton had needed to learn how to fight in order to deal with the bullies he encountered at school, his friend had served as his sparring partner when Jamie’s father, James Swindler the elder, had given him lessons.
Now Rexton jabbed at him. Jamie feinted to the left, delivered a glancing blow to his shoulder as Rexton jumped aside.
“What’s her name?” Jamie asked as he circled around, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Who?” Another jab, another miss.
“The woman you can’t have.”
The blow to his midsection nearly had him dropping to his knees. The statement had momentarily stunned him, and Jamie had taken advantage. Not that he blamed him. He’d have done the same. He straightened. “Why would you think that’s an issue?”
“Because you usually burn off energy with a willing female. I’d also wager you saw her this morning. You’re decked out awfully fine for an early morning ride. Your handsomest horse is tied out front. Your nails were recently buffed, probably within the last few hours.”
“All of that only signifies that I’m a gentleman.”
Much to Rexton’s irritation, his friend arched a dark brow. “And you smell of lavender and orchids. You either took her flowers or you were close enough for her scent to latch onto you.”
“You’re deuced irritating, you know that?” He swung. Jamie ducked.
Then his longtime friend had the audacity to laugh. “So I have the right of it?”
“You’re wasted as a constable. You should be an inspector at Scotland Yard.”
“Have to earn my way up the ranks.”
“Your father could put in a word for you.”
“I want to do it on my own.”
“I have to admire that.” His gloved fist made contact with Jamie’s ribs, sending him two steps backward.
“You took me off guard with a compliment,” Jamie said. “So tell me about her. Why isn’t she giving in to your charms?”
“I haven’t directed them at her. She and I wouldn’t suit. She’s a woman of scandal.”
“That won’t do for a future duke.”
“It’s more than that. Scandal can touch the innocent.” He landed a blow to Jamie’s shoulder, jumped to the side as Jamie retaliated. “I don’t want my children to have to learn to fight.”
“For good reason. They might be as bad at it as you.”
He smiled at that. He wasn’t as skilled as Jamie but then he wasn’t spending his nights dealing with thugs. “So make me stop thinking about her.”
Jamie accepted the challenge with glee.
Chapter 4
Sitting on the bench at her dressing table, staring at her reflection in the mirror, Tillie was not particularly pleased with herself, with how much she was anticipating the outing to the theater. It had been so very long since she’d attended a play. As she was in the role of chaperone, she’d considered dressing modestly but her vanity got the better of her. It would be her first foray into the public realm at an evening event, and she intended to make a splash, to hold her head high, and to weather whatever censure might be tossed her way.
The rap on her door caused her heart to hitch because she knew what the hollow echo portended. Taking a deep breath, she gathered up her lacy shawl and stood. With a final glance at her reflection to ensure she was as put together as possible, she walked out.
Annie stood in the hallway. “Miss Gina wanted me to alert you that his Lordship has arrived. She’s already gone down to greet him.”
Of course, she had. Gina had absolutely no patience, which hinted that she might fall quickly in love. Life had yet to season her, and Tillie was desperately afraid her sister was in for heartache down the road.
After taking six steps down the stairs, she nearly tumbled down the remainder when she caught sight of Rexton, standing in the foyer in his finery, smiling broadly at her sister as though they’d just shared an intimate joke. In his evening attire, his black swallowtail jacket and waistcoat, his pristine white neck cloth knotted perfectly, his top hat in hand, he was devastatingly gorgeous. How could Gina not fall for him when he had the ability to stir to life portions of Tillie she’d
long thought dead?
He made her wish he was waiting on her, that she was not consigned to scandal and chaperoning, that she had not made choices in her youth that now relegated her to dark corners where the unacceptable could be ignored. She had no doubt she would receive many cuts direct tonight, could only hope that Gina being seen on the marquess’s arm was going to serve as an effective buffer against any damage Tillie might cause.
Then his gaze swung up and landed on her like a physical presence, a heated caress that traveled along her cheek, her throat, her bared shoulders. Never before had she felt such a powerful force, and she was grateful a myriad of steps separated them. If she were any nearer to him, she might combust into flames.
As she gathered herself together and began descending the steps, his gaze never wavered. Rather he watched her, and she was left with the distinct impression he was considering charging up the stairs, taking her into his arms, and carrying her off to bed. Or maybe that scenario was merely her own wild, chaotic desires. What in God’s name was wrong with her to have such unwelcoming and entirely inappropriate thoughts? This man was interested in her sister. That she, herself, was unequivocally and against her will drawn to him was unconscionable. Perhaps she should claim a megrim and let Annie accompany the couple.
But this morning the rogue had given her cause to doubt the maid’s ability to keep him in hand. She would not see her sister compromised. Tillie’s attention would not wane, and she would ensure Gina’s reputation remained pristine.
“Tillie, don’t you look lovely!” Gina said with such enthusiasm and kindness that Tillie deeply regretted every sensual contemplation she’d had as she traversed the stairs. “Doesn’t she, my lord?”
“She does indeed.” He still didn’t look away from her, and she rather wished he would.
“Look, Tillie. His Lordship brought me a flower bracelet. Isn’t it gorgeous? I’ve never seen anything like it.” Gina was holding out her arm. An orchid was secured to her wrist with a black velvet ribbon.
Touched by the small kindness, she smiled at her sister. “It’s very unusual and very kind of his Lordship.”
“I’d been led to believe the maid would be accompanying us; otherwise I’d have brought you one,” he said.
Angling her chin defiantly, she held his gaze, feeling a need to challenge him because his presence warmed her entire body. “It appears Annie is suffering another megrim.” She was not going to admit he’d caused her to doubt the maid’s ability to protect Gina from his possible naughtiness. “Besides, one does not bring a gift for the chaperone.”
“You hardly appear the chaperone.”
“Trust me, my lord, I shall be ever alert and ensure no shenanigans occur under my watch.”
“I would expect nothing less.” His words didn’t quite match the challenge in his eyes, as though he were contemplating testing her. No doubt her wanton musings placing thoughts in her head again. He’d made no untoward advances, was standing there like a perfect gentleman. Too perfect.
“We should be off, shouldn’t we?” Gina chirruped.
“Yes, of course,” Tillie responded, grateful something had broken the mesmerizing spell she’d fallen into. Rexton had a way of drawing her into a vortex of confusing emotions. If he was doing the same for Gina, her sister was handling it much better, as though she hardly recognized the man breathed sensuality in to the room with every breath.
Rexton offered Gina his arm and escorted her to the door. The butler opened it, and Rexton stepped aside, indicating Tillie should precede them.
“The chaperone follows,” she told him.
“Not when she’s a lady.” His tone indicated he was offended on her behalf.
She wanted to argue with him. She didn’t need him standing up for her, but her throat knotted up with the realization he was the first, other than Gina, to defend her position, to show her any measure of respect since the ill-fated night when she’d been caught “practically crawling up a footman.” Her father had been so blistering mad at her that he’d seldom spoken with her after reading the account in the gossip sheets. He’d never asked why she’d done what she had, why she would have risked public censure and ridicule rather than remain in her married state. Divorce was for the weak. A woman of any substance would have tolerated marital discord and simply moved into another wing in her residence, assuring the couple retained mutual respect for each other while each person went on his or her merry way. Her uncle had fallen in line behind his brother and not hidden his censure of her. Now, she could do little more than give a brisk nod before carrying herself over the threshold and into the night, hating herself for wishing she was the one on the marquess’s arm rather than her sister.
He wasn’t going to feel guilty because she’d taken the bait, because he was glad to have her here.
She was beautiful. As they moved slowly through the theater following the crowd toward the stairs, Rexton fully understood why Landsdowne had wanted her for his wife. He suspected it had little to do with the dowry she brought to the arrangement, even if the earl was in desperate need of funds. It was her regal poise, the grace with which she moved, the way she held herself with pride even as people turned away from her.
It was fascinating to watch those around them striving to give her a cut direct while not offending him when he was standing so near to her. He halfway wished she, rather than her sister, was on his arm, as it would communicate loudly that she was under his protection. He wished he’d arranged for close friends to approach, to engage her in conversation. He didn’t like that she was viewed as a pariah.
“Take my arm,” he ordered Lady Landsdowne quietly. Gina was already clinging to his right, her gaze darting around with delight as though she’d never before been in a theater. Perhaps she hadn’t. But her interest in the surroundings had her failing to notice the scornful looks tossed her sister’s way.
With her finely arched eyebrows meeting in a crease, Lady Landsdowne jerked her attention to him, clearly confused by his request.
“Going up the stairs can be treacherous with so many about,” he said. “Even for a chaperone.”
She gave a slight nod, before slipping her arm around his. He didn’t fail to notice the gratitude that sparked in the blue. Nor did he fail to notice the tiniest of tremors cascading through her. Damn, she was courageous. She was here to protect her sister from the transgressions he’d hinted at this morning, but still to put herself through this—it spoke not only of devotion but of love.
Why hadn’t those emotions transferred to her marriage, to Landsdowne? And why was it that he found himself far more intrigued with the countess than with her sister? Why was he drawn to her bared shoulders? Why did he want to take his mouth on a journey over them, feel their silkiness, and taste them? Gina’s gown revealed smooth, alabaster shoulders, and yet they interested him not in the least. Was it because he wasn’t truly seeking her as a wife?
He’d often lusted after other women he had no desire to marry. Both of these women were forbidden. Gina because of her innocence. The countess because of her notorious reputation. Yet at that moment, he knew if he could have only one in his darkened box, he would have chosen the countess, her reputation be damned.
He couldn’t recall ever wanting a woman so much, and yet he couldn’t identify exactly why she appealed to him. It was obvious she neither liked nor trusted him. But when he’d seen her on the stairs, for an insane moment, he’d considered rushing up them so he could take her in his arms.
Once they reached his box, he drew back the curtain and escorted them inside. He assisted Gina in sitting, turned to assist Lady Landsdowne—only to find her already seated in a chair on the row behind. “Come and sit beside your sister.”
“I’m the chaperone. This will suffice.”
It occurred to him that perhaps she preferred the shadows to the front of the box where people might be better able to stare at her. “Ladies sit in the front, gents in the back,” he stated succinctly.
> “And if I were the maid?”
“You’re not the maid.”
“I’m perfectly fine where I am.”
“I’m certain your sister will enjoy the performance more if you’re sitting beside her.”
She angled her head like a dog striving to decipher its master’s command. “Why will she not enjoy it if you are sitting beside her?”
“Because I detest theater.”
She jerked her head back as though truly surprised by his words. “Then why bring her?”
“Because it is what a gentleman does.”
“You’re giving her false expectations regarding how you will treat her.” Her tone was harsh and angry, leaving him to wonder what false expectations Landsdowne had delivered.
“How so?”
“You’ll bring her to the theater while you’re courting her but not after you’re married to her.”
Had Landsdowne done that? Treated her one way before the marriage, another after? “I have a box for which I pay handsomely so it is always available. Without question, I’ll bring her to the theater after we’re married if that’s what she wishes.” He nearly groaned in frustration. Why the devil had he said that? He wasn’t going to be bringing her to the theater after she was married because she was going to be married to someone else. Thank God, Gina didn’t seem to have heard him as she was leaning forward, looking over the balcony at the patrons below, clearly more interested in whom she might recognize than any ludicrous conversation he was having with her annoying sister.
Lady Landsdowne narrowed her eyes, leaving him with the impression she saw him as being no better than a dung beetle. “Easy enough to make a promise before you’re married.”
Her voice was a harsh whisper as though she would flay him if she could. She sat in judgment when she knew nothing at all about him, about how hard he strived to be good and proper. It was deuced irritating to think she might be painting him with Landsdowne’s brush.
“I’m not in the habit of being other than I am. Nor do I go back on my word.” He lowered himself until his face was even with hers, taking perverse delight in the widening of her eyes. “Nor am I sitting on the front row whilst a lady sits behind me. So you can either sit beside me back here or move up to sit beside your sister. But rest assured, madam, your obstinacy will not sway me from my course.”
An Affair with a Notorious Heiress Page 6