“We Ives girls are not proper young ladies.” Jordana blinked innocently. “Though I suppose you will change all that.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Jordana,” she stuttered. “I can’t imagine I’ll be involved at all with your sisters, though I should like to meet them. Once your aunt arrives, I doubt she’ll need my assistance though I’m happy to help her where necessary.”
Jordana rolled her shoulders, a careless gesture Marissa had often seen Haddon make. “Papa wouldn’t allowanyoneelse to touch you.”
Oh dear.
“Everyoneon Bond Street saw. Even horrid Lady Christina Sykes and Lady Stanton. Another gentleman rushed to your aid after watching you fall. Papathreatenedhim with bodily harm if he so much as laid one finger on your skirts. Lady Stanton washorrified. Lady Christina nearly burst into tears. She kept asking her mother why Lord Haddon seemed so concerned for mychaperone.”
This was far worse than she could have imagined.
Jordana leaned forward. “Papa ordered your driver to take your packages and return home. He bent down,in full view of everyone,and picked you up in his arms andcarriedyou down the street to his carriage. People were gawking. A small crowd may even have gathered. Papa didn’t spare a glance in my direction to make sure I was following behind him.”
“I see.”My God, Haddon basically abducted me from Bond Street in broad daylight.
“Once we were settled in our carriage, I was shocked when Papa held you in his lapall the way home. I would go so far as to say hecradledyou. Ratherimproperly, I might add.”
Marissa swallowed. “Well, I was unconscious and could not correct him. I rarely faint but I suppose with the shock of the boxes falling atop me...” She stared right back at Jordana. “I shall bring him to task for creating a scene.”
“I would call it more a spectacle.” Jordana sat back with a look of satisfaction.
“You’re enjoying this far too much.” All of London was probably aware of what had occurred on Bond Street, and if not now, they surely would be this evening. Everyone would know she was at Haddon’s and speculate on their relationship.
A tiny thrill ran through her.
Very much like a Viking marauder. One who saved my shoeand my hat. And now me.
“I’m fairly certain my father won’t be marrying Lady Christina.”
“The future is not set in stone.” But Jordana was probably right. Lord Stanton would never allow his daughter to marry Haddon under the circumstances, even if Haddon wished it. And Marissa didn’t think he did. “You should not sound sopleased, Jordana.” It appeared the scandal she’d wished to avoid had found her anyway.
Although it was satisfying to know Lady Christina’s hopes had been dashed by anelderly widow.
Marissa’s stomach growled. Loudly. “Jordana, dear, did I miss supper?”
“I’m afraid you did.” She stood and clasped the large book to her chest. “I’m to let Papa know themomentyou are awake.”
“I’m sure that isn’t necessary.” Haddon had staked his claim on Marissa in front of a large percentage of theton. It was wildly inappropriate. And terribly romantic. He’d declared his intentions toward her. Publicly.
There will be no going back now.
The soft flutter started again in her chest. His presence in her life was either going to give her apoplexy or keep her heart beating. She thought the latter.
“I don’t wish to bother him,” Marissa said.
“It isn’t any bother. I’m sure he’ll be up directly. And I’ll have something for you to eat sent up.” She nodded to a small valise next to the bed which Marissa recognized as hers. “And a maid.”
“Thank you, dear.”
Jordana paused before the door. “I am grateful you weren’t seriously hurt, Marissa.” Her gaze fell to the floor as her toe drew a design in the rug. “Even though I’ve not grown used to society or London, I find Ihavegrown used toyou. You’ve made London bearable for me.” The shy, almost tentative smile crossing her lips transformed Jordana’s entire face, giving Marissa a glimpse into the striking woman Jordana would one day become.
Jordana is lovely, and best of all, she doesn’t know it.
“I’ll send a maid right up.” Jordana shut the door softly behind her.
Both father and daughter have such a hold on my heart.
Marissa turned her eyes back to the perusal of the hideous canopy above her head, wiping another tear from her cheek.
