Page 46 of My Hellion, My Heart
“And yet you love me.”
“You are lucky that I do, and yes, there is a dinner planned at Worthington Abbey,” she replied, her lips twitching. “With the Duke and Duchess of Bradburne and some prodigious fellow named Max Remi who has apparently lain all of London at his feet. It should make for scintillating company indeed.”
He stroked his chin and pulled his face into a leer. “Prodigious. So, the country folk have heard of my…substantial endowment.”
“Honestly, is that all you think about?” she asked with a mortified giggle.
“What else is there in life other than the pursuit of carnal pleasure?”
Blushing fiercely, Irina shook her head at him in consternation. He was such a scoundrel. As her humor subsided, she grew pensive. “Max, can I ask you a question?”
“Anything, my dear.”
“Do you ever imagine that one day you’ll fall in love?”
Something dark flashed across his face before it was quickly erased. He twittered under his breath. “What have I always told you? Love is for fools and old men, and luckily, I am neither.”
“I’m being serious.”
“As am I,” he said. “Love is an illusion, a beautiful one while it lasts, but such intrigues always come to an end, and what awaits at that juncture is not enjoyable in the least. At least, not in my experience, which is why I keep all my options open. Carnal pursuits and all that.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve decided that the children’s governess is quite attractive.”
“Profligate!”
“Prodigiousprofligate,” he said, grinning.
“You are far too jaded for your years.”
Max nodded with a sage look. “There is that, too. Ah, here comes your lovely sister back from her walk to join us.” He bowed as Lana approached and took his leave, winking wickedly at Irina. “I’ll leave you two to catch up while I suss out the kitchen girls.”
“Behave,” Irina said.
Lana looked fetching in a bright yellow muslin dress and far less pale than she had the last time Irina had been at Stanton Park. Irina kissed her on the cheek, and they linked arms. “I’ll walk you back to the house. You look well rested.”
“My darling husband has been an exacting nursemaid of late.”
“Gray is wonderful, and you know it.” Irina defended him with a loyal smile. “How is the babe?”
“Well, I hope.” Lana smoothed her hands over her barely noticeable bump, warmth glinting in her green eyes. “How was London?”
“Fast.” Sighing, Irina leaned her head against her sister’s shoulder as they strolled along the curved flagstone pathways. “Although I did enjoy the weekend at the Duke of Hastings’s estate. I spent some time there with Lady Carmichael.”
Lana’s eyes flicked to hers. “And?”
“She’s lovely,” she said. “You would like her. She reminds me of you in some ways.”
“I’m glad.” Lana interlaced her fingers with hers and squeezed. “Though I’m also sorry. I know how you felt about him. It can’t be easy seeing him promised to someone else.”
“I just want him to be happy.”
“As do we all,” her sister murmured.
They walked in silence for a while, each occupied by their own thoughts. It was the first time that Irina felt she could breathe and just be herself without the pressures placed upon her by her position. Yet for some reason, her blood burned restlessly in her veins. Despite her fatigue, nervous energy looped in coils within her. By the time they reached the entrance to the manor, her fretfulness had only grown. There was only one place she could go…only one place shewantedto go. She seized upon the course at Hartstone. Henry would still be in London, and no one would be the wiser.
“I’m going for a ride,” she announced to Lana as her sister walked inside. “I’m not quite ready to retire.”
Lana sighed in envy. “I do miss riding so.”
“My dear brother-in-law would murder me if I even let you look at a horse,” Irina said. “No, my sweet sister, you need to rest, but I will be sure to enjoy the ride for both of us.”
