Oh, hell.
Unable to resist her pull, he lurched across the space beside him and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. “I won’t do anything to hurt your brother. I promise.” He kissed the top of her head.
Holy hell, he just might be in love with her.
“And my husband?”
“I’ll do my best to keep him alive as well.”
This marriage businesswas coming to be rather exhausting.
Exhausting but also amazing, illuminating, exciting… along with the occasional bout of insecurity and confusion.
It seemed like the smallest of gestures magnified Bethany’s emotions.
Approaching her mother’s house, Chase dropped his hand on the small of her back where he drew a lazy circle. She shivered as he removed it to offer his arm properly and when she met his gaze, it was a knowing one.
Was he capable of love? Would he recognize it if it beat him over the head?
Would he tell her if it did?
They entered the familiar foyer of her former home—her brother’s home—and after greeting her mother and one of her uncles on her mother’s side, she embraced Tabetha reassuringly even as Chaswick offered her sister words of encouragement.
Guests were already lining up outside, however, so rather than linger in conversation, family members took their places alongside the debutante to be newly presented. Chase and Bethany had been assigned the last spot in the line. It was possible some guests would pass them by, give the cut direct. She wasn’t so naïve to think everyone had forgiven them.
But it didn’t matter.
In fact, rather than imagine herself shrinking, she would pity those who belittled others in order to convince themselves of their own worth.
“Are you nervous?” Chase covered her hand where it rested on his forearm. Standing beside him felt natural. Comfortable and exciting at the same time.
Right.
“I’m not.” Her answer startled both of them.
“Remember your brother assigned Spencer to keep watch over her.” He jerked his head toward the door, where sure enough, the spare to the Ravensdale Earldom was watching Tabetha with a somewhat stubborn expression.
Mr. Spencer leaned against the wall but there was an alertness to him, an intensity she’d not noticed before.
“It’s a shame he’s a mere Mister.” She sighed.
“Would you matchmake otherwise?” Chase spoke softly enough that only she could hear.
Funny, Bethany had never endeavored to insert herself in other people’s affairs like that, even when Westerley was courting Charley. But if she was of a mind to choose a gentleman for Tabetha… “I might.” She would most definitely steer her sister toward Mr. Spencer. And then she grinned. “Would you?”
He didn’t have time to answer, as Lord and Lady Ravensdale had only just turned to greet them, accompanied by Blackheart’s sisters, looking excited and lovely. Next came Lord and Lady Hawthorne, Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Cortland, followed by other friendly and familiar faces.
It wasn’t until Bethany overheard Tabetha giggling flirtatiously beside her that she felt even an inkling of unease.
“Who is that?” He was familiar but Bethany couldn’t quite place him.
The object of her sister’s open appreciation was a tall, thin gentleman who actually stared down his nose at the people around him. Despite a receding hairline, his face lacked maturity.
“The newly crowned Duke of Culpepper.” Chase sounded disapproving. “He was involved in some… disreputable business about five years ago. His conspirators were forced out of England but as a marquess, and only marginally involved, he was allowed to retire to his country estate up north. It seems his exile is over.”
“I heard he’s recently widowed, as well.”
“Stone doesn’t trust him.” Chase nodded. “If you have a chance, have your sister steer clear of him.”
