Was he jesting? She couldn’t possibly meet up with him again, especially because of what she knew about his lifestyle.
“Perhaps one day.” She withdrew from his touch. “Now, if you’ll excuse me?”
Taking quick steps, Ellie moved away from him, heading for the stairs. Lord Trenton thinkingshewould want to spend more time with him was utterly ridiculous. As soon as she could rid herself of this headache, she would have to formulate a plan on how to find a good man to marry. And of course Vincent Wallace would not be on that list.
She reached the grand stairs and took two steps before pausing. Curiosity nudged her, and she couldn’t stop from peeking over her shoulder toward him. The insipid man was actually watching her, with his mouth stretched wide in a sinful grin, no less.
Ellie grumbled under her breath and focused back on the steps as she headed toward her bedchamber. When she reached the second floor, curiosity got the best of her again, and she had to look to see if he was still watching. Sure enough, he had stepped closer to the stairs and stared up at her, grinning as if he enjoyed the view.
Her heart did a silly flip, so she hurried around the corner to remove herself from his sight. Although she was desperate for a man, she wouldnotchoose one with a sordid reputation for seducing women. That was all she needed, a husband who cheated on his marriage and embarrassed his wives.
“Trenton, my good man. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Her older brother’s voice echoed from below, and she stopped in the hall. Once more, she was inquisitive and wanted to know why her brother had chosen to become friends with Vincent Wallace after all these years.
“No need to apologize,” Vincent’s deep voice replied. “Your sister kept me company.”
Sucking in her breath, she flattened her back against the wall, waiting to hear her brother’s reaction.
Laughter rang through the entryway, and she scowled. Her brother could be quite rude at times.
“Oh, I bet that was an interesting conversation,” Dominic remarked.
She bunched her hands into fists and scowled. Her brother’s sarcasm was inappropriate. He had never understood her and never would.
“Actually, it was very fascinating,” Vincent said. “She has blossomed into quite a vision of loveliness.”
Ellie’s face warmed from the compliment, and at the same time, she wanted to throw it in her brother’s face for being so inconsiderate. But that was what older brothers did, or at least that was what Dominic had done all her life.
“Oh my good man,” Dominic said with laughter in his voice. “I’ll forgive your blindness for now because I assure you, once you get to know her, you will think differently. She has a reputation of late for being an ice queen.”
Ellie gritted her teeth. The nerve of her brother. No wonder their father was worried that she hadn’t been married yet. Dominic probably started the rumors, which of course led to the earlier conversation with her father and Augusta.
“But enough about my sister,” Dominic continued. “What is new with you, Trenton? How are you and your sisters faring since your father died?”
Immediately, Ellie pictured his sisters, who were at least five years younger. Their names were Laura and Lilly—twins.
“As it is,” Vincent said, “I’m struggling to keep my father’s estate running. Unfortunately, he was a poor gambler, and it’s evident by the way he kept his manor. It has been a challenge to oversee my sisters’ welfare because of problems with the estate.”
Very interesting…Ellie peeked around the wall and down to the first level. Dominic and Vincent were almost to the front door. She wanted to hear more, but she didn’t dare follow. It would be humiliating if Vincent caught her spying.
Once her brother and Earl of Trenton left the manor, she breathed a sigh of relief. Now she could get back to her sulking. However, her mind spun with ideas, which eased her pounding headache.
She hadn’t been friends with Vincent’s sisters, only because they were so much younger, though they were sweet girls. He had even been a charmer as a child, and that only worsened when he matured.
Sad to think Vincent came to obtain a title only to have very little funds to go with it. Ellie didn’t know what their circumstances had been before he inherited an earldom, but he would certainly need funds in order for his sisters to have a decent dowry and marry well.
Ellie reached her chambers, and as soon as she stepped inside, her mind clicked. The realization nearly stunned her.
She had the money to help him out, and in return, he could help her with her situation. If she could convince him to marry her—knowing it would be in name only—she would be willing to help his sisters find husbands, as well. Not only would this help Vincent, it would save Ellie from being forced to marry someone like Edgar Stone.
Another thing that encouraged her was knowing Vincent Wallace’s estate wasn’t very far from here. She definitely needed to be close to home to continue doing what she’d done since her father married Augusta. If Ellie didn’t watch the odd woman closely, who would? She suspected Augusta had married the duke for his money, because already she had spent a fortune.
Suddenly, the weight of panic eased from Ellie’s shoulders, and she smiled. Indeed, this would work. Of course, with Vincent being a rakehell, she would have to tread lightly on his lifestyle and not get in the way. But she could live with that as long as he allowed her the freedom she required to do whatever her heart desired, and as long as he didn’t knoweverythingshe did during the day.
Ellie nodded and rushed to her closet. Waiting for her brother and Vincent to return would be torture, but this would give her the time she needed to plan out how she could convince a rogue to marry her.
Chapter Two
