“She’s married to Garrity.” Rhys’s jaw was set. “Did Tessa let news of the treasure leak?”
“Her sisters-in-law and Gabby didn’t seem to know anything about it.” Seeing his grim expression, she said tentatively, “Shall we leave now?”
His gaze softened. “Are you ready to go?”
“I was ready hours ago,” she confessed.
“I’m sorry this was a bore, sweeting. I suppose I’ll have to entertain you better...in private.”
The wicked glint in his eyes made her intimate muscles flutter. She was about to answer when a new voice cut in.
“I say, is that you, Ranelagh and Somerville?”
Rhys stiffened at the harsh accents—American, Maggie guessed. They came from a portly man outfitted in ostentatious luxury. The gold of his multiple fobs, cufflinks, and buttons was blinding. He was accompanied by a beautiful, ethereal blonde in white.
“I thought that was you, Your Grace. It’s me, Thomas Sharpe. This is my daughter Gretchen,” the man said in booming tones that carried. “Why wasn’t I informed that you were in town?”
“Good evening, Mr. Sharpe. Miss Sharpe.” Rhys’s bow to the pair of Americans was rigid. “I am here unexpectedly.”
Maggie wondered at his curt tone. And why he, who had flawless manners, made no effort to introduce her.
“Now that you are here, you must pay us a visit,” Sharpe said forcefully. “Surely Mr. Newton has given you our address? Lord knows we’ve been communicating with him long enough. We’ve leased the largest residence on Berkeley Square and have been awaiting your visit so that you and Gretchen may become better acquainted.” He nudged his daughter. “Isn’t that so, Gretchen?”
“I welcome the opportunity to get to know you better, Your Grace,” the blonde said archly.
Rhys’s voice played in Maggie’s head.Newton has found an American heiress. If I fail to find the treasure, I’ll have to barter my title for a dowry…to undertake a marriage of convenience…
The truth slapped her in the face. She knew who these people were.
She looked at Rhys and saw the confirming guilt in his eyes.
“Maggie—” he began.
Her vision blurred, the ballroom disintegrating like a dream.
“I have to get some air.”I need to get out of here.
Burning with humiliation and pain, she fled.
32
“Maggie!”
Ignoring Rhys’s voice, she continued blindly on. She didn’t know how many blocks she’d gone, hadn’t even bothered to get her velvet mantle. The night was chilly and damp, but she felt nothing. Rhys caught up to her. He shrugged off his jacket, tried to put it around her shoulders, but she dodged him and walked on as fast as her silk slippers and bulky skirts would allow.
“You’ll catch cold.” He matched her stride.
“Why do you care?” she asked bitterly.
She didn’t know who she was angrier at: him or herself. Once again, he hadn’t lied to her. Once again, she’d gone into this with her eyes wide open. She’d foolishly lost her heart knowing what the outcome would be. Yet knowing about the heiress and seeing her in person…
Two different things,her heart cried.
“I care because I love you,” he said.
The declaration halted her. Momentarily stemmed the tide of pain. The intensity of his hazel gaze made her longing surge…but what was the point? By the sounds of it, he’d already made arrangements with the Sharpes. With the beautiful, blonde, virginal, andrichMiss Sharpe...who was everything that Maggie wasn’t.
Pain and jealousy clawed at Maggie’s insides.
