“What kind of question is that?” His eyes went from Nathan’s to Beth’s. Both were looking at him intently.
“A good one considering how desperate you were to save her and how ready you were to beat Plunge to a pulp for, in your eyes, helping her to fall into the water,” Nathan said.
“A week ago I would have said no, you don’t like Mary, as she does not like you, but after today I—”
“We tolerate each other because we have people we care for in common. There is no more to it than that,” Zach said, keeping his expression closed off. Of course his family would have noticed the way he’d behaved with Mary. He never showed her anything but animosity usually.
“If you say so,” Beth said, clearly not convinced. “Because we think—”
“I know so,” he said before she could continue that sentence. “I was just annoyed about what happened, and while Mary also annoys me excessively, I have no wish for her to fall ill, hence I watched out for her today.”
“That must be it, then,” Nathan said. “Silly us for thinking otherwise.”
“Very silly,” Zach muttered, once again looking out the window.
He thought about the icy fear he’d felt when he’d seen Mary fall in the water and the rage at her family’s apparent lack of worry for her. He didn’t understand it, nor did he want to. What he wanted was for these strange feelings he’d felt recently for Mary to be over and their relationship to fall back into the mutual antagonism it was.
“Just as well there is nothing more between you and Mary, then, as I heard that Milton is quite taken with her and there may be an offer in her future,” Nathan said. “Plus, there is Caldwell, who has made his interest in making Mary his wife well-known.”
Zach did not so much as flinch at his brother’s words, but he felt them inside like someone had clenched a fist around his heart.
“Both excellent matches,” Beth said.
“They are,” Zach said calmly. “She has had a few seasons now with no results. I’m sure Lord Blake will want her to accept.” He’d said the words as if they were of no consequence to him. But the thought of seeing Mary with Milton or Caldwell did not sit well with Zach. In fact it made his chest burn.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Mary exhaled slowly after holding her breath as long as she could to make her face appear flushed. She then knocked on the partially opened door to her sister’s bedroom.
“Go and get ready at once, Mary! We are to leave soon,” Lady Blake demanded.
She stood behind Phillipa, holding up jewelry for her sister to accept or decline. She had a maid for such purposes but liked their mother’s opinion also. Attention was vital for Phillipa. She needed everyone to focus on her at all times.
“I have one of my heads, Mother, so I shall be unable to accompany you to the Belton musical,” she said.
“Again?” Phillipa’s face twisted. “Really, Mary, you must learn to overcome these silly headaches. What chance have you to secure a match if you do not attend events such as the Belton musical?”
“Like you do you mean, sister dear?” Mary said.
Phillipa’s room was full of colors and ornaments. Mary had never felt comfortable in here. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her sister, or her mother for that matter, but it was that she didn’t understand them as they did not understand her.
Mary liked to read, paint, and play music, which were more than acceptable hobbies for a young lady to have. But it was her love of outdoors where they differed. She loved nothing more than walking in the gardens, chatting to the gardener. When in the country, she rode for hours and spent time with ducks and chickens. Phillipa hated walking and farm animals.
And there was the other matter that would send both the women before her into a fit of vapors if they knew what she did.
“I will secure a match this season!” Phillipa declared. “I will give Zachariel Deville one more chance to come about, but after the way he spoke to me, I’m uncertain he is the man for me.”
“Hunting men as you and your friends do is disgusting,” Mary said before she could stop herself. It was hearing Zach’s name, of course, that had done it. She was unsettled over what was happening between them… if somethingwashappening. She couldn’t be sure.
“I do not hunt men!” Phillipa gasped. “How dare you say such a thing. I am a highly sought-after member of London society. Men love me!”
“Yes, because what you have been doing so far, preying on men, has certainly worked well for you,” Mary said. “When is your marriage again?”
Since she’d stood up to her mother and Phillipa, Mary had not backed down. She also wore her new dresses every time she left the house, no matter how much her mother protested. Phillipa had told her mother she wanted some of the same made for herself. Lady Blake had of course relented.
“Mother!” Phillipa cried. “Punish her at once.”
“I’m going to my room. I will not be leaving it until tomorrow morning. Good evening.” Mary walked out and shut the door with a little more force than required.
