Wicked Nights With a Proper Lady(27)
Could the truth do any damage? The truth hadn’t done Genny any favors in the long run, and maybe Charlotte would understand that and realize she had no choice but to do her father’s bidding.
“I know you might not believe this, and it seems even a bit cruel to tell you when I’ve told you not to marry for this reason, but I thought myself in love with someone.”
Charlotte sat up and stared at her with that curious gaze of hers. She was assessing Genny and figuring out another damnable piece to the puzzle she wanted to solve.
“It was Barrington, wasn’t it?” Charlotte asked.
Oh, dear. Genny shouldn’t have said anything. She didn’t need her past feelings analyzed by her cousin. “As you can see, I did not marry for love. And while I enjoy nothing more than spending time with family and having had the opportunity to get to know my aunt as well as I did, I still crave marriage and a family of my own. This is not a life for you, Charlotte. I came from few prospects. It was a miracle that I had one season, let alone three.”
“You’re evading my question.”
“It’s best that way.”
“Did he know?”
It was a fact that she’d never shared her true feelings with him, but she’d been unsure how to do it and there was no one who could give her advice when she was having an illicit affair with the man.
Telling Charlotte the truth no longer seemed like an ideal plan. “He didn’t notice me enough to care at the time. It was a foolish fancy on my part. And I daresay, it may not have been love at all, but an infatuation with a handsome young lord who had more charm than all the gentlemen I knew put together. He did not return my feelings.” Not that he had ever confided in her what he felt.
“He certainly lavishes his attention on you now.” Charlotte scrutinized Genny for a long quiet moment. “What information are you intentionally holding back from me, cousin?”
“You are reading too much into this. Barrington and I had an easy friendship, and he is only being kind to me because we do know each other. Although his reputation might leave something to be desired, he has a kind heart.”
“So, you loved Barrington, and because you were friends, and only friends, he never thought to offer for you.”
“I never expected him to offer.”
“Something doesn’t fit in your story. You could save yourself the trouble and tell me what you are leaving out.”
“I have given you an answer, Charlotte. There are very few people in our circle of family and friends that have married for love.”
“Lady Carleton did.”
Genny pressed her fingers to her eyes in frustration. Her cousin was impossible. Genny stood from the bed and held out her hand. “It’s time to get you to bed, don’t you think?”
Her cousin looked vulnerable and alone when she glanced back at Genny.
“Can I stay in here for a while longer?”
Genny turned down the rest of the bedding. “I’m told I’m a dreadful snorer, so if you can put up with that, you are welcome to stay the night.”
Charlotte gave her a warm smile and climbed under the covers with her. “Thank you, Genny. You’ve given me more tonight than anyone has ever offered on this topic.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, snuffing the light, not sure that she’d done any such thing. What insight could her cousin take from this? Was it possible Charlotte would be happy playing the same role Genny played in life? She didn’t think so.
Chapter 13
Rumor has it that an illicit affair has started between a lady of notable peerage and a much younger man below such distinction. What would happen if the lady’s husband were made aware of this noted indiscretion? She seems to have made it her lifelong goal to see to the ruin of no less than half a dozen ladies of good breeding, who did no more than fall victim to the charm of men better ignored. It is on days like these that this writer has the strong urge to no longer protect those carefully mentioned within these rags. Why shouldn’t it be my choice to print their full, true names?
The Mayfair Chronicles, July 23, 1846
Charlotte and Ariel walked up ahead of her with Mr. Torrance between them. Genny followed at a slower pace. They’d been planning this morning’s jaunt to the creek since last evening over sherry in the parlor. Genny had a feeling that the young man had taken a liking to Ariel. She wondered if Ariel was free to marry whomever she desired. While Lady Ariel’s dowry was decent, it did not bring as much to a marriage as Charlotte’s.
The three of them were a good twenty paces ahead of her, wholly focused on their surroundings and not her. They were far enough away that she could not hear or intrude on their conversation.
The life of a chaperone was a little lonely. But at the same time, she had the perfect opportunity to think over her conversation with Barrington last night.
When they stopped to admire a patch of wildflowers, Genny stilled, too, wanting to give them as much privacy as possible.
Reaching into her pocket for her book, she backed up a few steps to find a bench while Charlotte and Ariel perched themselves on the edge of a similar stone bench near the streambed that ran through the property.
She bumped into a solid, steady figure. Turning around, she almost lost her footing, but Leo caught her around the arms and kept her from teetering over.
His hands trailed the length of her arms in a caress that was anything but innocent, and then he released her to stand on her own.
She pressed her hand to her heart. “You scared me half to death, Barrington. It’s not polite to approach someone without making your presence known.”
“I merely wanted to surprise you.” He gave her a cocky grin. “And to get my hands on you at least once this morning.”
“You’ve definitely done both.”
When she sat on the bench, he indicated the empty seat next to her. “Might I join you for a spell?”
“By all means. It’s not as if you’ll leave me alone if I say otherwise.”
“Too true, princess.”
He plucked the small leather-bound book from her hands and read the spine.
“The Mysteries of Udolpho,” he read aloud with interest. “I never took you for a reader of gothic novels.”
“What should I be reading?”
“Perhaps a book on proper decorum for young ladies? You seem intent on being above reproach where your cousin is concerned … and about our past.”
She grabbed at her book, but he pulled it away before she could get her hands on it. “If you continue to insult and mock me, I will have to ask you to leave my company immediately.”
“You should take pity on me, Miss Camden, I am after all an unfortunate beast that needs your gentle guidance.”
“Unreasonable, not unfortunate.”
“Is that what I am, then.” He laughed. “What would I do if you weren’t around to keep my head on straight?”
“You’d suffer from stupidity, as most men do.”
“You are a never-ending source of amusement.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She held out her hand. “May I please have my book back?”
“You haven’t answered why you are reading it. Is it for the romance?”
“I do not read it for the romance.” A very strong urge to stamp her foot on his instep nearly overtook her. She managed to pull back her irritation before she acted rashly. “There wasn’t a great deal of fiction in the library to choose from. Why are you bothering me?”
“I asked if we could walk together this morning and took your silence as an invitation.”
He was very persistent. “I specifically told you I had duties where my cousin is concerned.”
“Yes, and I see your concern not twenty feet away.” He pointed the book in the direction of Charlotte. “You don’t suppose she should be my concern now, too, since I intend to spend my mornings out walking with you?”
She gave him a long, annoyed look, then snatched the small book from his hands, and slid it back into the wide deep pocket hidden in her skirts.
“At least pretend you are enjoying my company.” His voice was low and held a measure of hurt.
She hadn’t meant to be cruel, only to make him seek amusement elsewhere.
She turned to face him and stared into his searching eyes. She cleared her throat before saying, “I think I owe you an apology.”
“You owe me no such thing. It was probably as awkward for you to see me again as it was for me. Though ‘awkward’ doesn’t seem like the proper word.”
“Strange?” she offered.
“Astonished? Or even surprised?” he countered.
She smiled. She couldn’t help herself when his good humor got the better of her and broke through her first layer of defense. Why had she said they couldn’t spend mornings together doing no more than converse? It was a great deal safer that they see each other like this as opposed to finding each other alone in the evenings.
“I don’t dislike your company per se.”
His smile left her a little breathless, and she forced her attention back to Charlotte when a blush heated her neck and face. The girls paid them no mind and were raptly attuned to whatever it was Mr. Torrance said.
Genny was almost giddy with the idea that Leo had sought her out this morning so he could enjoy a simple conversation with her. Maybe he was a changed man?