She shook her head. “Although it should, I have heard rumors about you and your cousin.”
“Is this after I told you about the Worthington men’s sordid reputation?”
“I have heard a rumor recently.”
He turned his body toward her and took hold of one of her hands. “Pray, what are these rumors saying about me and Kentwood?”
She moistened her throat with a hard swallow before licking her dry lips. “That you are both first-class rogues.”
Slowly, he nodded. “I suppose we are.”
“Yousuppose?” She laughed. “Are you trying to tell me that you don’t know this fact about yourself?”
He leaned closer as his smile softened. “My dearest Cass, rogues like me do not go around bragging about our exploits, especially to fair maidens.”
“If I’m not mistaken, that sounded like you were bragging.”
He stroked her hand. “Tell me, Cassandra, if you know I’m a rogue, why are you out here with me?”
Oh, heavens…The truth would come out sooner than she wanted. She couldn’t allow that to happen.
“Would you believe that you are the only one I know at this ball, besides my family?”
His gaze narrowed on her. “That would be very difficult to believe.”
“Let me rephrase that.” She took a deep breath as her mind twirled with what to say. “You are the only one who has willingly sought my company. The others here tonight turn up their noses at me and my family. We are here only because my aunt invited us.”
“Your aunt?”
“Yes. Lady Frances Guthrie is my aunt.”
He locked his gaze on hers as if trying to read her mind. Finally, he nodded, and realization dawned on his face.
“Then the rumors about you are true?” he asked.
She snorted a laugh. “Rumors about me? Pray, what could people have to say about me?”
“Well, actually, they are about your father.”
Her heart sank and her enthusiasm vanished. The truth was finally out. “Indeed. They are true.”
His fingers stroked her hand again, slower this time. “So, your father gambled away your dowry?”
“He gambled awayeverything.”
“That would be why you have no servants.”
“And, of course, why he was embarrassed to mention it the other night at dinner.” She shrugged. “Sadly enough, we cannot control our father. Even though he is ruining our lives.”
He frowned. “I fully understand.”
“Collin, isyourfather like this?”
“My father is not a gambler. However, he wants to control everyone around him, especially his sons. It irritates me, because he wasn’t around much while Adrian and I were growing up and needed a father. But now, he wants to control everything we do.” He glanced at their touching hands. “I don’t know how to tell him to stop.”
“What is he doing now?”
He lifted his focus, resting it on her face again. “He has purchased a manor for my brother and me. Father thinks we need to become responsible adults and make good choices, but mostly, he wants us to get along.”
