“I always intended to,” Vanessa said carefully. “Did you actually think I wouldn’t?”
“No, but you weren’t supposed to return this year. I was to have all the eligible bachelors to myself. You were supposed to have your Season before us, so we wouldn’t have to fight over our choices. But then you didn’t come home, and we didn’t know when you would.”
“I really don’t understand, Em. You would still have to share the crop of eligibles with Layla.”
“That’s different. Of course I would, but she’d defer to me. You, on the other hand, are entitled to first choice since you’re older. It’s not fair! You shouldn’t be here this year.Myyear.”
Vanessa wasn’t sure how to respond. She’d never guessed that she would come home to this sort of sibling rivalry. Had Emily been dealing with these conflicting feelings ever since she returned?
“And it’s already happening!” Emily suddenly added accusingly. “I want Monty, but he sees no one else in the room when you’re there.”
Vanessa frowned. “I suppose he’s at the top of your list?”
“He was the only one on it before we got here.”
“Of course he was, there are so few eligible gentlemen at home. And now? Is he still the only one on it?”
“Well, no—”
“Well, what I’m gathering from what you’re saying is that you want them all for yourself, leaving none for me and Layla?”
Emily’s cheeks blossomed with color. But Vanessa hadn’t meant to go on the offensive like that. Bloody hell, she’d just displayed the same jealousy Emily had—over the same man.
“I’m sorry. It appears you aren’t the only one who can be bitten in the arse by jealousy. Yes, I also like Monty. He’s a charming flirt, very amusing, but I’m aware he isn’t serious. He’s a rake, Em. Marriage isn’t what rakes have on their minds. Besides, if a man hasn’t shown interest in you, then he’s not worth having.”
Good Lord, was she remarking on her own situation with Daniel? But she couldn’t back away or her goal of bringing her father home would be out of reach again. And yet it was such good advice—except when a vendetta was involved.
“Easy for you to say when you’re the one he’s smitten with,” Emily snapped.
“But he’s not! That’s the point I’m making. It’s just fun and games for him, nothing more. And since I know that, I’m not going to get hurt by getting my hopes up over a man who isn’t eligible. And I’m already engaged, which you keep discounting. So answer me this, why would you waste your time and thoughts on someone who isn’t captivated by you, when so many others already are?”
Emily shot to her feet. “D’you think I haven’t tried to squelch this jealousy?! I told you I hate hating you!” The tears were back to prove it. “And you haven’t been the least bit helpful!”
Emily ran out of the room.
Exasperated, Vanessa yelled after her, “If logic won’t work, we can revert to hierarchy. I’m older and I met him first!”
Angry at herself for getting into a childish tug-of-war, she hit the table with her fist—and barely heard the tsk behind her. But she did hear it and glanced around to see Kathleen standing in the doorway with her arms crossed—and braced herself for a reprimand.
“Was it necessary to stir up all that nasty emotion?” Kathleen asked. “She’s going to have red eyes now for the ball tonight.”
Kathleen had pretty much just admitted to eavesdropping, though she didn’t appear the least bit contrite about it. “How much did you hear?” Vanessa asked.
“Just the end.”
“Were you aware that Emily is jealous of me? She thinks I came home just to ruin her Season.”
“The twins don’t confide in me, only each other,” Kathleen said. “But it does explain her quarrelsome behavior since your arrival.”
“She’s very conflicted. She doesn’t think I should marry Rathban, not only because he’s a little older than we expected but also because you picked him for me. Yet she doesn’t want me casting even a glance at any of the men on her list.”
“Do I need to be concerned about our houseguest’s attention to you?”
“Not in the least. Monty is charming but not serious. He’s amusing himself with what I believe you would call ‘a harmless flirtation.’ ”
Only a smidgen of a blush colored Kathleen’s cheeks. “I should still have a word—”
“No,” Vanessa cut in. “There is no point in embarrassing all three of us when he knows I’m already engaged. Perhaps Emily will be relieved once the engagement is official, since talking to her didn’t do a bloody bit of good.”
