“I have some pearl powder which ought to serve you well,” Lady Emilia said solemnly. “Or perhaps a fichu, placed just right.”
Her dread grew. “I am afraid I do not understand. How can a fichu or a powder remedy a female complaint?”
Her sister-in-law’s lips compressed as she eyed her with a frank stare. “You have distinct marks on your throat, my dear. From a man’s whiskers. That is why you are hiding here, is it not?”
Dear heavens.She had not ventured to look in the glass this morning. She had simply been too distraught over her recklessness, too hurt that everything she had feared about the earl had been true. Hiding, it was true. Hiding from Hertford, from what they had done together.
Hiding from the horrible suspicion which had occurred to her by the grim light of dawn, when she had jolted awake in her bed. The suspicion that the earl had not bedded her because he had believed Cunningham’s vicious lies about her, but rather because he, too was a fortune hunter.
Only, he had succeeded where the baron had failed. He had compromised her in deed and not just word. His proposal had been instant. It had not been a question, but a statement. She had to discover if he was in need of a wealthy bride just as the baron had been.
“Eugie,” her sister-in-law prodded gently. “That is the reason, yes?”
Mortified heat flared in her cheeks. “I do not wish to have this conversation with you,” she stammered at last, hating the penetrating stare her brother’s wife had leveled upon her, which seemed to see far too much.
“Would you prefer to have it with me or with your brother?” Emilia asked.
Though her voice remained soft and concerned, there was an edge hiding behind it. Her sister-in-law was gentle and kind, but fierce when need be.
“You know I would rather have it with you,” she forced herself to respond.
Dev was a wonderful brother, always putting the needs of his sisters first, but he was also exceedingly protective. She shuddered to think what would happen if he discovered the truth of what had occurred the night before. He and Hertford would tear each other apart. Though her brother was large and strong, so, too was the earl. It was difficult to determine which of them would emerge the victor, and it was a battle she had no wish to see.
“Then you must be honest with me, Eugie,” Emilia said now. “I cannot help you if you are hiding the truth from me.”
She did not dare tell her sister-in-law the full extent of her folly, did she? No, she did not. She was not certain if she could tell anyone. If she could bear to form the words.
Where to begin?
“What do you know of the Earl of Hertford?” she asked, for her alarm had only continued to grow.
The small seed of doubt had already taken root and sprouted. But she would not be trapped. She would sooner spend the rest of her days hidden away in shame first.
Emilia frowned. “Is he the one?”
“Please.” She closed her eyes for a moment, battling her emotions. Her heart was as sore as her body, aching in all the places he had claimed. “Just tell me…is he pockets to let?”
Her sister-in-law’s expression grew pained. “His father, the former earl, was a notorious wastrel.”
Everything inside her froze. “He would need to wed a wealthy bride, then, would he not?”
“Yes, I would suspect it, but why, Eugie?” Emilia searched her gaze. “Surely Hertford cannot be the man responsible for the marks on your throat? One of the reasons I chose to invite him is that he has always been above reproach as a gentleman. His sobriquet is the Prince of Proper.”
He had most certainly not been the Prince of Proper last night.
Her ears went hot as she recalled what he had done to her, his tongue between her legs, his manhood inside her. And to her shame, a dull throb pounded to life at her core. A traitorous ache that told her she would gladly have more of the pleasure he had given. Despite what she had just learned about him.
Foolish, foolish body. Stupid, wounded heart.
“It was not the earl,” she lied. “It was another.”
“Who, if not Hertford?” Emilia asked shrewdly.
“I would prefer not to say.” She paused. “I promise it will not happen again.”
“I am afraid your promise is not good enough, Eugie.” Her sister-in-law sighed. “You are my sister now, and I love you. I want to protect you. I cannot do that if you do not tell me what happened and with whom.”
She knew Emilia was right. Still, she could not bear to reveal the full extent of what had happened. “It was reckless and unwise on my part, and I am so sorry for my actions. But please, Emilia, do not make me tell you the name of the gentleman. It was a mistake which shall not be repeated. I promise you.”
