“She called you that?”
“Many times. Her husband didn’t understand her. He didn’t appreciate her. He ignored her.”
“Then why didn’t she live apart from him?” It was a question Willa had once asked her mother without receiving any meaningful response.
“Letty likes his money. And his power.”
Of course. Her mother had once noted every woman could tolerate a great deal of unhappiness in exchange for a secure life.
Willa just didn’t want to believe she was one of them.
She loved her father, but she clearly saw his shortcomings. She would not wish to be married to him.
“I was a bit of rebellion for Letty.” There was bitterness in the duke’s voice.
Willa tilted her head. Could a person be resentful over someone who no longer mattered? “They say Lady Bainhurst rebels quite often.”
“I have heard.” He straightened. “I wished to believe I was different. And isn’t that what we all want?” he asked with a slight, deprecating smile. “To be uniquely valued?”
Yes, thatwaswhat she wanted.
“Listen,” he said, claiming her attention and gently pulling her hand toward him, “I don’t understand the reference to or even who Kitty Pakenham is, but I have sisters who would tell me that I have been an ass. I do owe you an apology. I lost my way. I became wrapped up in my own problems these last few months.”
“You have sisters?”
“Fourof them. And not one holds back on her opinion. They are brutally honest, much as I sense you are.”
“I am not that direct, but I wish to be.” That was true. His candor was a powerful lure for Willa. Her parents never conversed, not in the manner that she was talking to the duke—
Her mind stumbled over his title, and replaced it withMatt.Matthew.
Matt sounded right.
“I also believe,” he said, “that we should revive that point game you and your friends played.”
Her heart almost stopped in alarm. “The point game?” She attempted ignorance.
He straightened, even white teeth flashing in his smile. “Yes, the point game. Don’t pretend you know nothing. You and your friends had a competition to gain my interest.”
“You knew about it?”
“What was it, three points if I asked you to dance?” Matt said. “A point for an introduction? How many points did you receive when I invited you to a weekend party?”
“How did you find out about it?” Willa countered.
“Letty had heard—”
“Letty?”
He held up his hand as if to ward off whatever she was going to say. “I shouldn’t have mentioned her. My apologies. However, the person-I-should-not-mention told me I had been singled out.”
“Idid not single you out. It was happenstance. You were the catch of the Season. The game always focused on one man.”
“Why not all the others?”
“There is no sport in that,” she replied.
“And you caught me.” His voice took on a warmth. “Does that mean you ‘won’ the game?”
