Page 27 of My Hellion, My Heart
“It will pass soon,” Irina said. “Especially now that I am here to distract you.”
“Speaking of distraction, what’s this I hear of your antics in London with Max? I know you care for him, but he’s a terrible influence on you,” Lana said, making Irina frown. “And I also heard that you’ve already turned down suitor after suitor. Are you intending for this to be a scandalous repeat of last season in Paris?”
The last thing Irina wished to discuss was her friendship with Max and her prospects in London, or worse, have her sister find out about the dratted bets. Lana would not be accepting or forgiving if she knew what Irina had been up to. She gritted her teeth. “It’s only been two offers, and I barely recall the gentlemen’s names. Anyhow, I don’t wish to marry. And, well, Max is Max.”
“Max is a scoundrel. If he weren’t our relative, you would require multiple chaperones to be in his company. Don’t think I’m not aware of the scrapes you’ve gotten into because of him. And I’m certain I don’t have to remind you that this is your third season, Irina. You need to settle down.”
“But why?” She glared at her sister and then gentled her expression. “I’m not like you. I’m not perfect and beautiful and poised with lords falling at my feet and spouting sonnets.”
“I’ll have you know I did not fall,” a laughing voice said from the entryway.
“North!” Irina exclaimed, standing to embrace her brother-in-law. Her ill humor dissolved within seconds. She was more than grateful for his timely interruption.
Lord Northridge moved toward where his wife sat, his eyes glinting with mischief. “If I recall correctly, she fell atmyfeet, begging for me to marry—” A swat from Lana cut off his teasing as he bent to kiss her. “Hello, my love.”
Something in Irina’s heart tugged at the obvious connection between them. She would never have what they did, no matter how many offers she received. Love like theirs was rare, and she envied them that. She was just about to tell them so when a tempest swirled into the nursery and flung itself into Irina’s lap.
“Aunt Irina! You must save me from the dragon!” Sofia screamed theatrically, her blond curls a rumpled mess.
Irina stifled a grin and hugged her favorite niece. “Dragon?”
“The governess dragon of deathly horror.”
“Come now, she can’t be that bad,” Irina said. “The governesses your mama and I had were the real monsters. They would threaten to cook our bones and boil our flesh if we did not do our lessons.”
Sofia giggled loudly. “Fibber!”
“Your Aunt Irina is right,” Lana said. “There’s actually a part of her left ear missing from such a punishment.”
“Mama,” Sofia said with an eye roll and launched herself toward her mother. Lord Northridge stopped her just in time, tossing his daughter over his shoulder.
“Careful, sweetheart, we have to be gentle with your mother,” he said before turning to Lana to stroke her cheek. “You should get some rest, darling, and we should be going,” he continued, tickling Sofia and striding from the room. “Or you will be late for your riding lesson.”
“You should come see my new pony, Aunt Irina,” Sofia said upside down.
“I will. Have a good lesson. Perhaps we shall have a race later this afternoon, what do you say to that?” The girl’s eyes lit up as she nodded emphatically, and Irina couldn’t help smiling.
“You’re good with children,” her sister commented as they left. “You should think about having some of your own.”
“I am content with yours, thank you.”
“Irina—”
She stood, raising a hand and strode back to the window. “I don’t want to fight with you about this, Lana. The truth is I have no interest in marrying anyone. And, yes, I do intend for London to be a repeat of Paris: diverting and fun. I won’t be anyone’s trophy.”
“Is it because of Lord Langlevit?”
Irina’s breath halted painfully in her lungs. She turned to face her sister, composing her face into a mask of indifference. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve carried a tendre for him for five years,” Lana said quietly. “Ever since you were fourteen. I suspect you still carry it, which is why no one else can measure up.”
A hundred reasons, excuses, words popped into Irina’s brain. Her sister had always been able to see right through her. She settled for four hard ones. “You mean my infatuation.”
“That doesn’t mean your feelings weren’t real.” Her sister rose unsteadily and met her at the window as Irina’s fingers wound into the folds of her skirts. “Certain events draw people close, tying them together in inexplicable ways. It’s not surprising that you…cared for Henry.”
“Hopelessly unrequited, as it were.”
“Be that as it may,” Lana said. “Henry is not the same man you knew, and I know you can see that for yourself. He has changed.”
