His words couldn’t possibly have been anything other than honest.
Bethany slid on new stockings for the evening and tied the top with white silk bows, unable to shake the image of his teeth biting into her ribbon the night before. He hadn’t acted as though he’d pitied her. But then, what did she know?
Polly pinned her hair up in a pretty chignon and when she was finished, Bethany slipped her feet into delicate slippers.
Confusion and doubt had her twisted into knots by the time Chase presented himself to escort her to dinner. As usual, his rakish smile and casual confidence made her heart skip a beat. And when he met her eyes, she could almost imagine she saw yearning. For what? An unwavering look of devotion?
Bethany wanted to give it to him—she’d done so often enough in the past. Likely a look he’d gotten used to without even knowing what it meant.
But her devotion, ironically enough… wavered.
“You look beautiful, Beth. What have you been up to all afternoon? You were out again when I returned.” His brilliant blue eyes peered at her curiously.
“I was visiting with my sister.” Averting her gaze from his, she slipped her hand in the crook of his arm, accepting his escort. Wives weren’t supposed to ask after their husband’s whereabouts. Even when they were essentially dying to know if he had a very good explanation for squiring two bits of muslin about town. Was that why he’d been late?
Did she want to know the truth? Would he tell her if she did?
His masculine scent taunted her. The sensation of his body pulsing into hers from behind—all the places he’d touched her—the pleasure they’d shared… Bethany pinched her mouth into a firm line.
Damnit, theyhadshared in the pleasure!
How much pleasure did one man require?
“I’m not sure I can do those things with you again if you…” Her rational mind looked on in horror as the words poured out her disobedient mouth. “How many mistresses do you have? I heard…” And then the dam broke. “I thought it was special. What we did. And hearing that you have so many others… It hurts me, Chase. Knowing you would go to another woman—other women, plural!—within hours of what we did…”
They’d stopped walking, and he faced her with wide eyes in the otherwise quiet corridor.
“Bethany, I didn’t. I would never.” He swiped a hand down his face and then glanced up and down as though concerned they’d be overheard.
“But then… who were you with on Bond Street today? Are they the reason you were almost late to our wedding? And where do you go early in the mornings?” She cringed that she sounded so harpish and suspicious but couldn’t seem to stop herself.
The truth was going to rip her heart into shreds, she had no doubt. But perhaps that was what she needed. Something to remove the blinders she wore where he was concerned. Something that could protect her from a life of heartache.
“My sisters.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I was with my sisters.”
Bethany stepped backward and frowned.His what?
“But you don’t have any sisters.”
Chapter 23
Responsibilities
Chase had figured he’d have to tell Bethany eventually, but everything had happened so quickly between them. He hadn’t had a chance. He hated that she’d heard the rumors and logically assumed the worst before he could explain this complication in his life.
But damn his eyes, he should haveknown. With nothing else for entertainment, gossip spread like the plague amongst theton.
He’d fully intended to spend the day with Bethany after his morning visit to the house on Farm Street. But before he had even climbed the front steps, Collette had whipped the door open frantically.
“Diana dropped Mother’s tonic last night and it spilled everywhere. I was going to go to the apothecary myself, but it was dark and after last time…”
“No, it’s good you waited for me. How is she?”
The oldest of his half-sisters closed had her eyes slowly, as though to regain her composure. “It’s been a difficult night. I’m only glad you are here now.”
“Chase!” Sarah, the youngest, came up behind Collette and then threw her arms around his waist. “Burt had babies! Collette says I can’t touch them yet. But once they’re bigger, I can keep one.”
“So Burt is not Burt, but Betty then?” Chase had laughed, dropping a kiss on her toffee-colored hair as they all entered the house.
