“Wasn’t she?” Gigi curled her lip. “I didn’t dislike Constance because of some childish whim. I disliked her because of the way she treated you. Like you were some damaged rake who needed to be reformed by her righteous guidance. If I had a penny for every time she told me that I should be more patient with you—give you space and leave you to your moods—I would be rolling in pin money. She wedged herself between you and not only our family, but the rest of the world. She indulged your worst tendencies and acted as if she was the only one who could understand you.”
Reeling, Ethan said, “If you believed all that, why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“Itried. Countless times.” Gigi balled her hands in her lap. “But you wouldn’t hear a bad word against Constance and got angry if I brought it up. I feared putting a strain on our relationship, so I stopped.”
He remembered being annoyed with Gigi. He’d thought that she was being a spoilt brat—that she was jealous of Constance for being the paragon that she wasn’t.
In reality, did I shoot the messenger?
“I’m sorry,” he said with prickling awareness. “I should have listened.”
“Apology accepted. As long as I may sayI told you soas many times as I like.”
At that, he narrowed his eyes.
“Fine. I shall only say it on holidays and special occasions.” Gigi’s expression turned serious. “But I hope you will heed me when it comes to Mrs. Wood. Trust me when I say she is unlike other dalliances you’ve had. To you, she may be a convenient distraction, but you could hurt her if you are not careful.”
Ethan did not know what appalled him more. That his sister was speaking of his “dalliances” or that she believed that he would use Xenia for his own selfish ends.
“I have no intention of hurting Mrs. Wood,” he said brusquely.
“Are your intentions honorable?”
“My private affairs are none of your business?—”
“Didn’t we just establish that they are? After all, if you’d listened to me about Constance…”
He gave a disgruntled sigh. Gigi was never more annoying than when she was right. Which, unfortunately, was often. Truth be told, he wanted to discuss the notion that had seeded itself in his brain with someone who knew Xenia and his family. Someone whom he could trust to give their honest opinion. While he wished that someone was not his baby sister, he did not have many options.
“If Mrs. Wood were to become a permanent fixture in my life, how would you feel about it?” he asked carefully.
Gigi tipped her head to one side. “By ‘permanent,’ do you mean she would be your mistress or your wife?”
“Devil take it.” He scowled at her. “Of course I meant I would marry her. Do you think I would discuss the matter with you otherwise?”
“There is no need to be cross. I wanted to be sure. And to answer your question: I would very much like having Mrs. Wood as my sister-in-law.”
Even though he’d suspected as much, some of his tension eased.
“And the rest of the family?” he asked. “How do you think they would react?”
“We are not a bunch of snobs, as well you know. Nor are we sticklers for propriety…well, with the exception of James,” she said thoughtfully. “He’s a bit of a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to duty. Ultimately, I think that what he and the rest of us care about most is your happiness. If you and Mrs. Wood love one another, then why shouldn’t you get married?”
Put that way, it seemed so simple. While he and Xenia had not made professions of love, he could not deny that he was falling for her. He was reasonably certain she was falling for him too. Xenia’s inability to hide her feelings from him was one of her most endearing qualities…even if she harbored secrets.
Her past was a barrier he’d yet to surmount. However, he was chipping away at her defenses, and she’d disclosed some facts. Enough for him to know that she’d been making her own way in the world for a long time, without the support of family, friends, or even a lover. It explained a lot about her resourcefulness and insecurities about her self-worth.
He was proud of her strength and resilience. Proud that such a woman wanted him.
Now all I have to do is win her trust.
“The decision is not mine alone,” he said slowly. “Mrs. Wood does not wish to make any commitments. Something happened in her past that has her running scared. She refuses to talk about it.”
“She does seem skittish.” Gigi brightened and sat up straighter. “However, I have a plan.”
Because he knew his sister, he asked with suspicion, “What sort of plan? You are not to engage in any of your harum-scarum schemes?—”
“Don’t worry about a thing.” She bounced up, making a beeline for the door. “I know what I’m doing.”
