“What did you just say?”
“I—Nothing.” She quickly wiped away her tears.
“That wasn’t nothing, that was bloody well quite pertinent. What’s keeping him away?”
She hadn’t meant to mention her father again but she was so upset and Monty was looking at her with such concern, she admitted, “Albert Rathban is. Father went into exile six years ago at Rathban’s insistence—or else our family name would have been dragged through the mud.”
“That’s blackmail. He doesn’t have the power to exile anyone.”
“When he holds all the cards he does—and did. It was my father’s choice, ruination or leave England for good.”
“Care to say how that came about?”
“No, I’ve said too much already.”
“So this is why you’ve agreed to this match?” At her nod, he added, “And it’s what you really want?”
“No, it’s detestable!” she burst out. “But I came back to England to find a way to free my father from his exile in Scotland, and this marriage will do that. And that’s what I really want.”
Monty stared at her thoughtfully before he said, “I can show you how to bring Rathban to the altar—with your permission, of course.”
“Permission for what?”
“To teach you the sort of sophistication that appeals to Daniel. He takes his pleasures where he finds them, but he has to be tempted first, and not much does that anymore. So now he thrives on shocking others with his proclivities. So you may need to shock him to get his attention.”
“What do you mean?”
“You will need to appeal to his prurient interests, and to top it off, he needs to think he can’t have you, that you are utterly interested in another and that there are others determined to have you. We’ll give him both barrels, so to speak, the lure first, then competition. Are you game?”
“You would do that for me?”
“With the utmost reluctance, when I want you for m’self. But if this means so much to you, Nessi, of course I’ll help you. We are friends, after all.”
She was amazed by what he was suggesting right up until he saidhewanted her, then she could think about nothing else. She knew he was just teasing, but she wished he weren’t!
He was waiting for her answer. However, it was clear to her that the last thing he wanted to do was help her into the arms of Daniel Rathban. And she didn’t know if she could bring herself to take advantage of him, so she said, “I—need time to think. . . .”
“Certainly.”
Chapter Thirty-four
VANESSA WISHED SHE HADjumped at the excuse Monty had offered her to spend more private time with him. She still might, especially since it had sounded like it would be fun, but then again, it might be too much fun, and that wouldn’t do. Did she really want her feelings for him to grow even stronger while he advised her on how to win the interest of another man? More to the point, was it already too late?
He wanted her for himself! She couldn’t get that out of her mind even though she knew, rake that he was, that he didn’t mean for marriage. She was still thrilled by that knowledge, so she was disappointed when he didn’t join them for the dinner they attended that night. But imagining everyone seated at a long table, she guessed why—he couldn’t avoid being noticed in such a small group.
Yet it wasn’t actually a small group, and a buffet was offered because of the numerous guests. At least thirty people of assorted ages were in attendance that night, and at least half of them asked Vanessa if her father would be returning to England for her Season. And why wouldn’t they wonder about it when it was where a father should be? She was afraid she might burst into tears if she was asked that question one more time, so she tried to avoid further conversation by staying by her mother’s side and letting Kathleen fend off that question.
But Lady Roberts joined them on the way to the dining room, though not to ask after William. The elder lady was a little loud, a little rotund, and had a very annoying, high-pitched tittering laugh. Vanessa guessed as soon as the lady started sharing the current on-dits that she was one of the grand dames Monty had mentioned.
She found out who was in love with someone they could never have, who was nearing financial ruin, who had caused a sordid scandal by getting caught sneaking into a servant’s bedroom—not in his own house! The lady described these people so well, without actually mentioning names other than using the occasional initial, like Lady C or Lord G, that Vanessa guessed Lady Roberts assumed that she and her mother must know who she was talking about. She didn’t, of course, at least not until Lady Roberts ended her tittle-tattle with a mention of a lord who had been seen escaping an angry mob armed with axes. It was the mention of axes, after she’d seen one embedded in the door to their room at the inn, that made her think of Monty and wonder if this was what he might be hiding from?
“How do they get away with spreading rumors that might not be true?” Vanessa asked Kathleen after Lady Roberts moved on to another couple in the buffet line to impart her rumors to fresh ears.
“It’s a pastime. For some, their only pastime.”
“Unconscionable.”
“Yes, scandal—and attempts to avoid it—can certainly alter people’s lives.” Kathleen gave her a meaningful look as they entered the dining room.
