“It is your fault.”
“You are the one who came over here. I did not ask to be kissed.”
“It was in your eyes.”
“It most certainly was not,” she argued.
“And also in your tone with your tormenting and teasing.”
“You read far too much into the words that were spoken.”
“Minx,” he growled as he lifted the cup to his lips.
Bethany stopped at the entrance of the parlor and glanced first at Seth and then Frances before she frowned. No doubt she had hoped to find them in a compromising position. Though, if that were the case, she would not have announced herself.
Thank goodness that she had or all the plans Frances had made for Seth would have been ruined.
“Why didn’t you answer when I called?”
“I am sorry, but I was busy arguing with Lord Seth.”
“About what?” she asked as she settled beside Frances.
“Whether I will be at home to him tomorrow or if I would rather read a book.”
“Who won?” she asked.
“I will not know until tomorrow.”
Chapter Seventeen
Had any other woman taunted him as Frances, Seth would have immediately lost interest, but she made him want to win her even more.
Frances had always been confident, certain of herself, even from the first moment they had met.
He chuckled, recalling their first meeting.
“You may remain if you wish, though I will put you to work.”
“Work?” he had asked.
“I should also warn you that I can be bossy, and even though you are the son of a duke and I am a mere miss, I will order you about.”
Seth had been intrigued, especially since she promised to treat him no differently than anyone else. He also needed the distraction, which Miss Hawthorn offered.
“If you are staying, come with me.”
He should have realized in that moment that Frances would determine her own path and not let anyone make decisions for her. Yes, she had suffered disappointments, such as when her uncle had promised a Season and then told her that it wouldn’t be possible. After three such years, she simply assumed that it would not occur and made peace with her place in Laswell. She had not even begrudged her sister and cousin when they were given a Season after Frances was already three and twenty because she had understood that it had not been financially possible until then.
She could have fulminated against her uncle each time he disappointed her, but Frances had explained that it served no purpose to do so as none of them had control over a situation created by his older brother.
Frances had changed little from the girl he first met and the woman he later fell in love with. She hadn’t truly needed anyone then and set out to restore a dilapidated cottage without seeking permission because she wanted and needed to. Had he not helped, Frances would have done all the work herself. Independent then and she had made it very clear yesterday that she remained so now when she would not agree to be at home to him today, not certain if she would prefer the company of a book instead of him.
Seth wanted Frances to need him. He needed her to want him, but how did he go about convincing her?
With a deep sigh, he approached her door and knocked and it was immediately opened by the butler.
“Miss Hawthorn has asked me to inform you that she has decided to be at home to you,” he announced.
