For the second time during the evening, Alex was stung by his words. “Oh—you think it impossible that someone would wish to marry me?”
“What I meant, Miss Chilton, is that—in my opinion—it would not be a fortuitous match.”
“Because Charles lacks a fortune, and I am plain?” she challenged
“Because he is in awe of you, and you would tire of it rather quickly.”
She was surprised by how astutely he had divined the very essence of why she had rejected Duckleigh. But in her current mood, there was no way she was going to acknowledge that.
“No, what youreallymeant was that you cannot conceive of a gentleman being attracted to anyone who does not have long lashes or a well-endowed …” She faltered, knowing she was being childish.
“You seem intent on deliberately misunderstanding me this evening,” said Branford softly. He dropped his cheroot onto the gravel and ground out the glowing tip with the heel of hisevening shoe. “Perhaps it would be best if I take you back to your friends.” He lowered his gaze from her storm-dark expression to the ruffled bodice of her gown before looking up again. “You have no reason to be jealous of Lady Cameron’s endowments.”
“I amnotjealous of Lady Cameron!”
He looked at her curiously for a moment before taking her arm. They walked in silence, the only sounds the crunching of their steps on the gravel, until they came to the steps of the terrace leading up to the french doors of the ballroom. The faint sound of conversation and music wafted out.
“By the by,” said Branford, drawing them to a halt. “Allow me to be the first to offer my congratulations.”
Alex looked at him as if he were speaking Hindi. “What are you talking about?”
“Your impending nuptials, Miss Chilton. I wish you happy.”
“Oh that.” She chuffed a sigh. “Of course I’m not marrying Charles.”
“Why not?”
Alex thought for a moment. “That, Lord Branford, is most certainly not a topic of conversation open to you.”
He made no reply but Alex thought she detected a ripple of laughter in his eyes as he led her back into the room to join her friends.
After escortingAlec back to her friends, Branford had no desire to linger in the gaiety and glitter of the ball. Making his way down to the street, he located his carriage among the crush of waiting conveyances—and waved it home without him.
In his current state of mind, Branford decided that he preferred a long walk. If it were June, he thought ruefully, theevening’s crosscurrents of emotions might be written off— as Shakespeare had done—as the effects of Midsummer Night’s Eve. But in truth, he had no better explanation for the odd way he was feeling.
Alex had been happy to see him, of that he was sure. He smiled briefly at the recollection of how her eyes had lit up with a mesmerizing mix of hazel and green sparks. It was damnably nice to have someone look at him that way, he mused …
But then her mood had quickly changed. What in the world had made her say such ludicrous things about her appearance. Surely she was far too sensible to be jealous of a piece of baggage like Lady Cameron …
He stopped abruptly in midstride.
Jealous?
Branford tapped his walking stick thoughtfully against his leg. Had she been upset by the fact that Lady Cameron had all but invited him into her bed?
He began walking again. He had to admit that the idea had rather intriguing connotations. But recalling her next words quickly dumped a bucket of ice water on such thoughts. She had made itquiteclear that he—and his affairs—meant nothing to her.
The earl shook his head. Regardless of her feelings toward him, he sensed that something else had been bothering her. But he hadn’t a clue as to what it could be.
Turning up the collar of his coat, Branford quickened his steps … but found he couldn’t outrun his uncertainties.
At least Miss Cilton’s innate good sense had prevailed and she had rejected the presumptuous clerk. The pup was no match for her—in any regard.
Miss Chilton deserved … more.
But why should he care about her decisions?
Because they had become friends, and friends cared for the happiness of one another, he quickly told himself. He merely wanted to see her with the chance for real happiness. Ye gods, she deserved that, after all she had been through.
