“Because you have to avoid His Grace, to keep him from killing you?” she taunted. “After the trouble you caused for his wife, I’m not surprised. You’re fortunate that neither she nor her baby were harmed.”
“I need to meet with the wool buyers,” he continued, ignoring her comments. Despite the ongoing war against Napoleon’s forces, the orders had decreased. Although he suspected it was partly due to the duke’s interference, he had to do whatever was necessary to bring back the orders. He’d spent hundreds of pounds buying up more sheep, and he fully intended to profit from the wool.
“You ought to seek a wife,” she suggested. “Wed an heiress, if you can find one.”
Oh, he intended to seek a wife. The woman of his desires had avoided him in the past, but no longer.
“You also need to mend your relationship with the Andrews family,” Sarah insisted. “If you don’t, both the Duke of Worthingstone and the Countess of Arnsbury will use their influence to keep us both out of society.”
Brandon drained his snifter and refilled it. “I don’t care what they think of us.” It was the truth. He wasn’t about to lower himself by apologizing. He hadn’t laid a hand upon the duchess, and soon enough, they would lay all the blame on Melford.
None of it mattered.
“Next week, Lady Rumford is hosting a ball,” Sarah informed him. “There will be over five hundred guests. It’s your best chance of finding a wife.”
“Except for the fact that I was not invited,” he reminded her. “But I believe you can change her mind, can’t you, dear Sister?”
“I will try.”
Regardless of whether Sarah was successful, with so many guests in attendance, surely it would be easy enough to infiltrate the premises. She reached over and took the empty glass away from him. “You are better than this, Brandon.” Her voice was soothing, and he didn’t doubt she was trying to manipulate him. “Don’t let the Andrews family ruin our opportunities.”
Ouropportunities? This wasn’t at all about her.
“You want to go to Lady Rumford’s ball, don’t you, Sister?” His mouth tightened, and he stood to pour himself another drink. “Becauseyouwant to find a husband.”
“I wouldn’t mind one.” She smoothed her gown and straightened, venturing a smile. The sight of her primping was starting to annoy him. Sarah knew nothing of the struggles he’d faced to keep them from losing their fortune. His first wife, Penelope, had nearly driven him under with debt, due to her frivolous behavior. He wasn’t about to let his sister spend his money on gowns and ribbons, simply to snare an unsuspecting bachelor.
His gaze passed over her worn clothing, and he shrugged. “Perhaps a potato-faced young fool might have you. If he’s drunk enough.”
She pretended she hadn’t heard the insult, but her cheeks flamed. “I will pay a call on Lady Rumford this week and see what I can do to open the doors to you. But Brandon, truly, you must try. I know you haven’t forgotten about Miss Andrews, but—”
His hand shot out and seized her wrist. “Do not mention her name to me.” He didn’t want to hear a word of criticism against her. “Juliette is the woman I’m going to marry.”
Sarah didn’t bother to hide her dismay. “I’ve never understood your obsession with her. She’s not even beautiful.”
His grip only tightened in warning until she winced with pain. “You know nothing about it.” It was more than simply wanting Juliette. She belonged to him. She needed him to show her how to be a proper wife, how to mold her into the woman she was meant to be.
Sarah touched his hand. “You’re hurting my wrist, Brandon.”
He released her, but he didn’t regret causing her pain—Sarah needed to understand thathewould make the decisions about their futures. Her role was to open the doors to him, and see to it that he found Juliette again.
And soon enough, she would belong to him.
“Are you sure about this?” Juliette asked Paul. “What if I’m not wearing the right clothes? Are these suited to… where we’re going?” She’d chosen a plain day dress, knowing that it would be a more casual gathering.
“It’s acèilidh,Juliette. It doesna matter what you wear.” Paul was wearing a dark brown coat and tan breeches, though she supposed he’d have been more comfortable in a tartan.
Inwardly, she was fearful about deceiving Charlotte. Her aunt would never permit her to attend a party hosted by anyone but members of the ton. As it was, Charlotte believed that Juliette and her maid were paying calls upon a friend in town.
“And what about Nell?” she added, glancing back at her maid. “Should I bring her along?” She’d taken the young woman as a chaperone, warning her not to tell Charlotte where they were going.
“Nell is welcome to join in. She’ll make merry, just as we will,” he promised.
It didn’t diminish her anxiety at the unknown. Yet, she was forcing herself to leave the house whenever opportunities arose. Though she might be a wallflower at heart, she was determined not to let the past control her future. Lord Strathland had taken her innocence, but he would not take away her chance at happiness.
The problem was the guilt she couldn’t relinquish. For her, this was about laying the past to rest and enjoying each day to its fullest. But the more time she spent with Paul, the more she was afraid of leading him astray.
“You’re looking right dour, lass. What’s taken your smile away?”
