Sebastian shoved a hand through his hair. “That was clever of them, but how in God’s name did they end up in London?”
“That, I cannot say because I have no idea.”
“Why didn’t Owen speak?”
A crease appeared between her brows. “He told me he saw a gentleman being killed. It caused him horrendous nightmares.”
“Christ,” he breathed.
“I daresay, both boys have been frightened out of their wits. I doubt they will pull such a stunt again.”
“What of the scoundrel? Did he follow you?”
“Not that I’m aware, though Oliver was concerned he might. But as nothing untoward happened, I suspect the man has cut his losses. This is quite the distance from London.”
Sebastian finished his own drink and set his glass on a nearby table, then sauntered close enough to Rebecca to catch the lavender that clung to her. He breathed in deep, knowing his apology fell far short. “I really am sorry. You should have told me they weren’t your children.”
She turned a smile on him that chilled his bones. “Yes, well, that’s neither here nor there, is it? Besides, I’ve decided to take you up on your suggestion.”
“Oh? What is that?”
“To consider the squire as a possible suitor. He’s quite attractive.” She tossed back the rest of her brandy and handed him the tumbler. “Thank you for the drink, and the, er, introduction.” She sauntered out of the room without a backward glance.
No one could outperform an exit like Lady Rebecca Thatcher, he decided, as the door latched soundly behind her.
Ten
That should set the high and mighty duke back on his heels. Rebecca had no intention of marrying anyone, let alone a man who resembled a man she’d half fallen in love with when she was but a green girl still stuck at Miss Greensley’s School of Comportment for Young Ladies of Quality.What a disheartening notion. She jerked the door open and almost knocked heads with Gabriella. “Still listening at keyholes, my friend?”
“I suppose I should be ashamed,” Gabby said softly, trying to peer around Rebecca, but Rebecca quickly shut the door behind her. “But I’m not.” She shot Rebecca a sheepish grin. “Besides I couldn’t hear a thing.” Gabby put her arm through Rebecca’s and pulled her up the stairs and down a wide hall. “So,youmust tell me everything.”
“There’s not much to tell.”
“You jest, my dear. I’ve never seen my brother so out of sorts.”
“Ha. Your brother is never out of sorts.”Except that business about Damian Bellamy,she decided. “He is, I’m sad to say, as pompous as I remember him from our school days and beyond.”
“Yes, well, one doesn’t change overnight. Most especially, my brother.”
“It’s been nigh on a decade, Gabs. I doubt the man will ever change.” They entered a suite of rooms where clothes were strewn everywhere—stacks in a rainbow of colors. Her friend hadn’t changed either. Rebecca had forever been shoving aside clothes to find the chair beneath, as she did now. “What’s going on, Gabby? Why are you in Dorchester instead of up north with your husband? You’ve been married barely a month.”
Gabby avoided her gaze, going to her vanity, straightening her brushes, her pots of moisturizer, smoothing doilies over wood surfaces with her fingers. Everything but answering Rebecca’s question.
“Gabs?”
“He’s not what I thought, that’s all.”
Rebecca frowned. “I don’t understand. Did he step out on you?”
She gasped. “No!” Then scowled. “At least I don’t believe so. Not… yet.”
“Not yet? I don’t like the sound of that.” Rebecca shuddered. Exactly the reason she had no desire to marry. Men had too much control in her opinion. They did not need saving or a champion in their corner. Still, she suspected Gabby’s reasons went deeper than she was letting on.
“It’s the marriage bed. I hate it.”
“Hate it? But you adore Huntley.” Rebecca was thoroughly confused. “What is there to hate?”
Gabby snorted. “Have you ever had intercourse?” She went to the door and locked it, then moved to the settee next to Rebecca’s chair and shoved the stack of silks to the floor and plopped down. “You mustn’t say a thing to anyone. I mean it, Rebecca. I would be humiliated beyond words. I would have to swim out to sea and drown myself.”
