Page 74 of A Duchess Bound
Dorothy forced her trembling fingers to return to her embroidery, silently praying that her brother might forget the matter. She doubted that he would, but it was nice to imagine that Elias might let well enough alone.
“Have you found someone of your own?” he asked.
Dorothy’s breath hitched. “Why would you ask that?”
He shrugged. “It seems like a reasonable question. You find your attention wandering away from Bridget at balls and soirees because you have found a gentleman of your own.”
“How is that a reasonable question?”
Elias waved dismissively. “You have attended many of the ton’s events before. What else could have distracted you? I do not imagine it was the décor.”
Dorothy pinched the bridge of her nose, silently at war with herself. Her face grew hot. She had been found out so easily!
“It is nothing to be embarrassed by,” Elias added. “If you have found a gentleman whom you are interested in marrying?—”
“It is not like that,” Dorothy interrupted. “I have no intention of marrying any gentleman. I have told you that many times, and my feelings on the matter have not changed. Even if I wished to marry him, he has no intention of ever…he would never be interested in a woman like me.”
“I see.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Elias cast her a shrewd look, but if he had any uncharitable thoughts, he chose not to share them. Dorothy swallowed hard, suddenly afraid of her brother’s judgment. It was not fair either, for Elias was a rake himself. He had committed many of the same transgressions as the Duke of Greenway, if not more.
“You must end it,” Elias said.
Dorothy flinched. “What do you imagine I might have that needs ending?”
“I doubt you want an answer to that.”
Dorothy inhaled sharply. Her stomach churned. “Elias, I?—”
He raised a silencing hand. “I do not judge you for indulging in the pleasures of the flesh. God knows that I have done that often enough myself, and truthfully, I have always found it rather absurd that a man may do so with considerably less scandal than a lady might.”
Dorothy dropped her embroidery again, uncertain of what to say. She had thought that her brother might be angry or distraught, and his calm acceptance of a potential affair unnerved her.
“But,” Elias continued. “You deserve better than to be someone’s little secret, especially since you have clearly developed feelings for this man.”
“Feelings for him?” Dorothy exclaimed.
“Yes.”
Dorothy laughed. “That is absurd, Elias. I do not have feelings for him.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “I disagree.”
“You are welcome to disagree, but you are incorrect.”
Elias smiled wryly. “My dear sister, I know you better than you know yourself. It is apparent to me that you are quite taken with this gentleman. If it were only a physical matter, you would not be so distracted.”
“You are wrong,” Dorothy said.
Elias bowed his head. “So you say. Both of us have responsibility for Bridget, and I will support you both, no matter what might happen. But you need to see to your own situation, Dorothy.”
Dorothy wrung her hands in her skirts, guilt blossoming in her chest. Her affair with the Duke of Greenway had complicated matters far more than she had intended. It had seemed so harmless when it began.
“I am sorry,” Dorothy murmured. “I did not mean for my desires to hurt Bridget’s chances for finding a husband.”
Elias reached across the space and squeezed her hand. “You have not hurt her chances. Our sister is still the most popular lady of the Season with legions of suitors falling at her feet. I have no doubt that she will marry well. That is not my concern.”
“No?”
