“Westerley won’t listen to me either. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”
“Greys thinks—wait. What do you mean it’s your fault?”
Her fingers trailed up and down the lapel of his jacket. “You probably don’t remember, but it was the year of my come-out.”
“I remember. Three years ago.”
She swallowed hard and stared unfocused at something behind him. “My brother arrived late to my debut ball, and when he finally made an appearance, he was foxed, worse than that, he was drunk as a wheelbarrow. He said things to one of the other young ladies… I was embarrassed and I…I complained about his behavior to my father. My father promised he’d take him in hand and true to his word, he took steps to rein him in. He cut Westerley’s allowance, canceled memberships at a few of his clubs. Unfortunately, he also became involved in one of my brothers… affairs… I overheard him telling my mother that he’d had a talk with the lady’s husband—suggested the man keep a closer eye on her. But instead of removing his wife to the country, the cuckold called Jules out. Why else would my father act as his second?”
“Does Westerley know this?”
“Oh, no. I couldn’t say anything. It would only make it worse. But the truth of the matter, Chase, is that if I hadn’t been so selfish, none of it would have happened. So please, please, promise me you won’t meet him at dawn?”
He remembered again how withdrawn she’d become at the time. “Your father’s death wasn’t your fault.”
“But I—”
Chase cut her off the best way he knew how. With a kiss.
“I’ll not have you disparaging my wife.” He spoke against her lips, losing interest in the conversation when he realized the salty taste in her mouth was fromhim.
He deepened the kiss and drew her closer.
She didn’t require much coaxing at all.
Chapter 28
Sisters
“Iwas going to wear this gown, but Delia told me Coleus Mossant wore a similar one to Lucinda and Lydia’s ball. So I’ve decided on this one instead.” Tabetha tucked a pale rose gown beneath her chin and lifted out the skirts. “Such a bother, but I can’t wear something so similar to a gown another lady already wore. Not for my debut!”
“You are lovely enough you don’t need to worry about that ever happening.” Perched on the small bench near the vanity, Bethany watched her sister fuss and fidget, all the while experiencing a warm inner glow.
For the first time since entering society, Bethany wasn’t worrying about looking frumpy or out of place at atonevent. Her husband’s attention didn’t seem to be affected by the color of gown she wore or if her hair was fancy enough, in fact, he seemed most amorous when she wore nothing at all.
Chase had woken early that morning and he’d invited Bethany to come along to meet his sisters. His invitation had thrilled her, but she had already promised Tabetha she’d come over early, to help keep her calm for the evening ahead.
She’d very nearly canceled on her sister, as eager as she was to meet Collette, Diana, and Sarah, but Chase had told her not to worry. He’d promised he’d take her some morning later that week. “We have all the time in the world,” he’d assured her, right before sweeping her into his arms for a long, slow kiss that nearly delayed his departure altogether. He was insatiable.
He made her insatiable too.
After he’d left, Bethany had stared at the door and then sprawled on the bed again. The moment before she drifted to sleep, she realized the feeling in her heart was happiness. And having experienced the phenomenon herself, she wanted everyone around her to feel the same.
“Of course, it matters, you ninny.” Tabetha’s protests brought Bethany back to the question at hand. “It goes without saying that I could easily marry a Mister or, no offense—even a baron—wearing any of my older gowns. But if I’m to land a duke, I have to be perfect.”
“Titles aren’t everything. Be careful, promise me?” Bethany had thought she’d known all there was to know about Chase but there had been so much more. She was utterly grateful that everything she’d learned revealed a greater depth to his character. Familiarity could just as easily go the other way. “Take your time. You needn’t rush.”
“Just as you did?” Tabetha was only half-teasing when she smirked at her from across the room. “How long have you loved him? Hm…” Tabetha made some calculating motions with her fingers. “Fourteen, fifteen years?”
Actually, it had been twelve.
“My situation has no bearing on yours. I was lucky—very lucky. I just…” All the things Chase had told her about his father came to mind. The man had fooled his own family right up until his death. “A moral mister is far better than a disreputable duke.”
Tabetha giggled. “Next you’ll be telling me to settle for a principled pauper.”
“You know my meaning.”
Tabetha carefully laid the gown on her bed and then joined Bethany at the vanity. “I much prefer your hair looser. You’re a baroness now—not some spinster.” She played with a few curls and began rearranging some of the pins Polly had placed earlier.
