Page 75 of The Moonstone Hero
Ella laughed.
So did Imogen. “Well, I suppose you do not need your little sister underfoot. You have been managing quite well without me.”
Ella hugged her. “Never say that. I cannot wait until you have your come-out. It will be so much fun to attend these functions together.”
“You will be married by then and off talking with other married ladies about managing houses, husbands, and children, while I will be left on my own to fend off all the love-struck bachelors courting my purse strings.”
Ella gave her another hug. “They will be lined up outside our door foryou. How could they not adore you?”
“I know, I am wonderful. Now turn around and let me help you out of your gown.”
Ella raised her arms so that her sister had easier access to her laces. “I doubt a wedding is in the plans for me this year. It would only happen if Caden were ever to ask me, and who knows when that might be, if ever?”
“We’ll know more when he arrives in London. I’m sure he will try to see you.”
“No, he won’t.” This was what hurt Ella most, knowing he would be here and not available to her. What also made her ache were the gossip rag stories that had recently been circulating about his rakish behavior while on his hero tour. “He was seen in the company of other ladies.”
“And you believe those lies?” Imogen untied the last of the laces and regarded her incredulously. “His grandfather is obviously planting these stories. Did we not worry about this very thing? This is the start of the campaign to destroy him in the eyes of his adoring public.”
“Imogen, no one is going to think less of a handsome bachelor being seen escorting elegant young ladies around Town. In fact, it will enhance his appeal. The dashing marquess, flocked to by adoring women. Will he fall in love? How does this help his grandfather’s plans to crush him? Here, your turn. Lift up your arm so I can undo your laces.”
Imogen sighed as she complied. “Perhaps his grandfather planted those stories because he is hoping to hurtyou.”
“Me? How would he even know who I am when Caden is doing everything he can to keep my name out of any association with him?”
Imogen slipped out of her gown. “Who else would have gone after him with a broom? But even if he does not remember who you are, he has to know there is a young lady who has stolen his grandson’s heart. Caden will have given himself away by being as celibate as a monk. We know that ladies by the dozens must have been offering themselves to him at every stop.”
Ella picked up a washcloth and soap. After dipping the cloth in fresh water, she began to lather the soap on it. “What if he has not been celibate and the reports are true?”
Imogen pushed her lightly.
Ella almost dropped the soap and cloth, not to mention almost spilling the water. “Imogen!” she said, emitting a startled laugh.
“I will dump that water over your head if you utter anything so foolish again. Are you not playing into the hands of that mean old man? How can you think Caden has strayed?”
“I don’t really think it. Even if he did—Ow! Why did you pinch me?”
“Because there is no question of his loyalty.”
“Good grief, Imogen. Stop being such a moon-eyed romantic.”
“I am not. I am merely stating the obvious.”
“Well, if there is anything I have learned in my first year out, it is that men and women play by different rules. An unattached gentleman can do just about anything he pleases, short of ruining a lady of good breeding, and even that can be brushed aside in time. We, on the other hand, are ruined at the mere perception of misbehaving. We don’t have to actually do anything wrong to be reviled and snubbed.”
Imogen cast her a stubborn look. “I am going to pinch you again if you suggest Caden has not been loyal to you.”
“Loyal? He has done nothing but push me away. And the galling part about it is how everyone agrees with him. They are going to agree him straight into the arms of a horrid debutante of his grandfather’s choosing.”
“It will never happen, because he loves you.”
“Oh, Imogen. Get away from me and go pick out our gowns for this evening. Honestly, you are a pain for a little sister.”
“And you are remarkably irritating for an older sister. I will pinch you again if you dare feel sorry for yourself and cry. Caden loves you. I know what I saw in his eyes while I was drawing his portrait.”
They stared at each other, made faces at each other, then laughed and hugged each other.
“Just behave yourself at Lady Fielding’s supper party,” Ella affectionately warned her sister. “I’m glad she extended the invitation to all of us. As you said, no doubt this was at the behest of her son. I must say, it was surprisingly pleasant havinghis company on the journey back to London. It wasn’t nearly as awkward as I was dreading.”
