He refused to make those same errors in judgement—hence his level-headed approach toward finding a wife. His title for her money: wasn’t that the strategy? When had the plan altered to include seducing a hoyden in a Priest Hole?
Damn Violet Kent for muddying the waters.
“Have you recovered, brother?”
Wick’s voice returned Richard to the present. His brother approached, every inch the dapper country gentleman in a checked brown jacket and matching silk cravat.
“Recovered from what?” Richard said.
“Your loss at Hide and Seek, of course.” His sibling bestowed a beatific smile upon him. “Don’t take it too hard, old boy. When it comes to games, our dear Vi is a ripping competitor.”
“Don’t refer to her in that manner.”
Wick’s brows shot up. “Beg pardon?”
“You ought to show more respect to Miss Kent. She is a young lady, not one of your wild scapegraces,” Richard said curtly.
“Miss Kentis my chum, so I’ll call her what I please.”
“Since when can a woman and a gentleman be chums?” Richard scoffed.
He didn’t believe for an instant that his brother’s motives were pure. How could they be when a female as tempting as Miss Kent was involved? This meant that he had yet another problem to contend with. Not only had he kissed the troublesome baggage, he might also be treading on his brother’s territory.
The notion made his molars grind together. He told himself this was only because Wick’s future was at stake; his sibling needed to court Miss Turbett, not dally with Violet Kent.
“You really do have antiquated notions, you know,” Wick said.
Miss Kent would have agreed. A traditionalist, she’d scornfully called him.
Then she shouldn’t have let me kiss her, he thought savagely.
In a tight voice, he said, “Do you have any intentions toward her?”
“Toward who…Violet? Of course not. She’s like a sister to me.”
His brother’s incredulity sounded sincere and told him what he needed to know.One barrier out of the way. Then he watched as more gentlemen joined Miss Kent’s group, and his relief vanished.Only a dozen bloody more to go.
Wick’s hazel eyes narrowed. “Why are you so interested in her anyway?”
He told himself it was a matter of honor. Of doing what was right.
“What’s going on? Surely you can’t mean…” Wick gawked at him. “Violet… andyou?”
His brother’s tone implied that the likelihood of such a pairing was akin to pigs taking flight.
“Why would that be so surprising?” Richard said brusquely.
“Because Violet’s my friend—and, trust me, you’re not the sort of man she’d want to wed. She doesn’t evenlikeyou.” Wick dragged a hand through his hair, furthering its fashionable disarray. “And I know for a fact that she enjoys her freedom and has no interest in marriage.”
The words planted like a dagger in Richard’s chest, piercing the hope that had been insidiously burgeoning there. He knew his brother was right: his rational mind had been saying those exact things all along. Lust had blinded him, given him foolish notions. One illicit embrace didn’t mean that Miss Kent would want to marry him.
Hell, just because she’dseemedinnocent didn’t mean that she was; had he forgotten Miss Lucinda’s beguiling façade, Lady Audrey’s calculating ways?
It was telling that, at present, Miss Kent took no notice of him, was too busy bantering with all her other gentlemen to even spare him a glance. Well, his sense of honor might demand that he offer for her, but he wouldn’t play the dupe again. He’d go into the business with realistic expectations and keep his proposal cursory. Most importantly, he’d leave with his pride intact.
Just another duty to perform. The thought struck a stark note.
Music swelled, signaling that the show was about to begin.
