Page 54 of Heiress Gone Wild

Jonathan grimaced, acknowledging the truth of that. “All the more reason, then. And I have various other business matters to attend to in the next few days. Another time?”

“Of course.”

“Do you need tweeds?” Torquil asked as he joined them. “Surely not, if you’re headed to Africa?”

“I’m staying a bit longer than I’d first thought.”

He was staying? Marjorie stilled, her sherry glass halfway to her lips, feeling a rush of unreasoning hope and happy surprise.

“Marjorie’s birthday is August thirteenth,” he went on, glancing at his eldest sister. “I can’t miss that.”

As he and Irene exchanged glances, Marjorie realized the decision to stay longer had not really been his. Happiness faded and hope fizzled, but somehow, she managed to don a bright smile.

“How delightful,” she said, pride making her voice light. “But you needn’t delay important business on my account. I shall have many more birthdays.”

“Still,” Irene said, “we must do something to mark this one. Turning twenty-one is a rite of passage.”

“In Marjorie’s case, it’s more than that,” Jonathan said, looking at her. “It’s the start of a whole new life.”

A life he did not want. He’d reminded her of that in the carriage this afternoon, seeing her romantic hopes about him even before she had, crushing them before she’d ever realized they were there. She supposed he was trying to keep her from being hurt, but he hadn’t succeeded, because right now, hurt was like a fist squeezing her heart, and it took everything she had not to show it.

“What about a big house party?” Clara suggested in a voice that sounded strangely far away to Marjorie’s ears. “It’ll be the right time of year for it.”

“A house party sounds like great fun,” Marjorie replied, still holding Jonathan’s gaze. “As long as those invited truly want to be there.”

Jonathan pressed his lips together, showing that she could wound him, too, but for Marjorie, it was no victory, and she was relieved when Boothby came in to announce that dinner was served.

The duke offered her his arm and as he escorted her to the dining room, she forced away any absurd sense of disappointment. She knew what she wanted from life, and if Jonathan didn’t want that, well, it was his loss, and none of her business. She could not resent him, but she could take the words he’d told her in the carriage this afternoon to heart, and she intended to do so. Life was too short to expect a man to change or to wish for what could not be. Her father had taught her that lesson. Best if she never forgot it again.

Chapter 14

Jonathan had never had a high opinion of aristocratic society, but as he glanced around the Duke of Torquil’s dining table, he realized he would have to revise his opinion, at least as far as his own relations were concerned.

From all that he could see, Irene and Clara were every bit as settled as their letters had indicated, and their husbands seemed good and honorable gentlemen. On their behalf, he was both glad and relieved.

As the others conversed with Marjorie, asking her about her life in America and making suggestions about what she might enjoy doing here in England, he said little, content to observe and enjoy the sight of his sisters’ smiling faces in the candlelight.

It was good, he thought, to be home.

He straightened a little in his seat, startled by the notion. This wasn’t his house. This certainly wasn’t his life. And England wasn’t his home anymore. After ten years away, he was a fish out of water here, and yet, it wasn’t as strange to be back as he’d feared. Perhaps one could never completely leave behind the place one had been born and raised, no matter how far one traveled or how long one stayed away.

“I think I’m the one who needs to give you a penny,” Marjorie murmured, breaking into his contemplations. “You’re very quiet.”

“Am I? I was just letting it all sink in—being in England again, seeing my sisters.”

“But are you glad you’re back?”

“I am, yes, and it surprises me. In fact—” He broke off and gave a laugh, a little embarrassed. “I don’t know what I was so worried about.”

That made her smile. “I’m glad you’ve made peace with your sisters.”

“So am I. It was easier than I thought it would be.” He paused, thinking of Irene’s definition of his duties as a guardian. “I hope you’ll be happy here. If there’s anything I can do to make your transition easier, I will.”

“There is, actually,” she said. “I’ve been thinking, and I’ve got an idea.”

“Uh-oh,” he murmured. “That’s trouble.”

She made a face at him. “I’m serious.”

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