Page 106 of Sense and Suitability
Ben sighed, lowering his glass. “I know.” His tone remained devil-may-care, but his expression softened. “And I daresay the two of you will give Ravenscross a fresh start in ways money can’t buy.”
The mutual affection. The partnership. Something the estate and its tenants hadn’t seen in generations. “It’s a good start.”
“It will have to be,” Ben teased, “since her smiles will need to sustain you while the Viscount of Ravenscross mends fences, negotiates with tenants, and haggles with tradesmen, instead of leading the ton in fashionable diversions.”
“One of the easiest trades of my life.” Simon handed his glass to an unsuspecting Ben, adjusted his waistcoat, and sent his friend a wink. “Wish me luck.”
Ben snorted. “Just don’t scare her off by quoting me again.”
Simon laughed and strode toward the garden doors, his pulse quickening with each step, but just as he reached the threshold, someone grabbed him by the arm. He turned, his smile dissolving as hemet the sharp gaze of Miss Selena Hemston. She stood poised in her green gown, arms crossed, her frown so pronounced that it threatened to wrinkle her otherwise flawless chin.
“What a display!” she hissed.
“Display?” Simon raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the ballroom before returning his attention to her. “Do you mean the Ruthtons’ decorations? I quite agree, they’ve outdone themselves this evening.”
“You can’t be serious, Simon,” Selena snapped. “Not even you would throw away your security for some nobody who—”
“I have no interest in discussing my private affairs with you.” Simon held a fragile hold on his voice. He tipped his head in a polite nod. “Good evening.”
“You’re allowing your interest to blur your vision and putting your entire future in jeopardy over”—her voice squeaked—“a country gentleman’s daughter with only two thousand pounds?”
The door was tantalizingly close, his future just beyond it. “There are many things in this world far more valuable than money or titles, Miss Hemston.”
“And what about reputation?” she countered, her tone unyielding. “Surely, a man with your family history wouldn’t wish to further sully the tattered remains of your title. Especially by marrying a woman with a... past.”
Simon released a slow breath in an attempt to control his rising fury. “Miss Hemston, you are a woman of some means and intelligence, and though I’ve not desired your company or good opinion, I never expected you to resort to slander, especially toward someone of Miss Lockhart’s character.”
“Slander?” Selena’s lips curved into a saccharine smile. “Oh no, Simon. I wouldn’t dare fabricate something so... delicious.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ve seen the evidence myself. Her books, published under a pseudonym. I’ve even read a letter—to her publisher, no less.”
Simon stiffened.Books? Letters? Ridiculous.“This is absurd. Mail is private. You can’t expect me to believe such nonsense.”
“I have many friends in many places, dear Simon. Friends who, with the proper incentive, are quite eager to share what they know.” She tilted her head, her smirk deepening. “But consider what a scandal it would be—a lady of society secretly writing Gothic novels. Such behavior would hardly endear her to the ton, or your wealthy aunt.”
A chill passed through him. Surely, it couldn’t be true. But even as he fought against the thought, memories of conversations with Emme teased alive a hint of doubt.No. Surely not.Wouldn’t she have confided in him?
Simon shook his head, refusing to let her poison his mind. “Miss Lockhart would never—”
“But she has,” Selena interrupted, much too pleased with her revelation. “It may not be common knowledgenow...” She drew out the word like a threat. “But once it is, and if you’re aligned with her, any unwelcome attention would only deepen Ravenscross’s blemished reputation and, if rumors can be trusted at all”—she slid a finger over her lips—“cripple any benevolent funds provided by wealthy family members.”
How did Selena know these things? Emme wouldn’t have divulged the information, and he would trust Mrs. Patterson with his life. Could it have been a stable hand? Another servant overhearing private conversations? His blood heated beneath his skin, rising up his neck and tightening his jaw. “You’re lying.”
“What would I have to gain by making up such a story? You must know me well enough to suspect I would have chosen a tale much more interesting than novelist.” Her light laugh oozed with false mirth. “But this will do quite nicely. And I’ll be happy to keep it a secret in exchange for a small favor.”
It couldn’t be true, could it? And... if it were true, how... how could he move forward with their future? “A favor?”
“Marry me.” One manicured brow slipped high. “And I will ensure none of this unfortunate gossip reaches the wrong ears.”
“Never,” he replied firmly, stepping around her, but she moved to block his path once more.
“It’s all very romantic, isn’t it?” Her smile tightened into a snarl. “But love doesn’t pay debts or shield one from scandal.”
Her sentence paused his steps and turned him back around. “Miss Hemston, I seriously doubt what you’ve said is true, but even if it is, there is no amount of blackmail or persuasion that would ever induce me to marry a woman who finds pleasure in creating pain in others. You are right to say that love cannot pay the bills, but it can certainly create a better future than one built on the vindictive poison of a frightened woman who seeks her security in manipulation, gossipmongering, and demoralizing those she perceives as beneath her. I will not be your puppet, so no matter what you do with the information you think you possess, you will not gain what you want from me.”
Selena’s smile twisted into something cold and brittle, her eyes narrowing. “So noble,” she murmured. “But nobility won’t save you when whispers turn to headlines. Let us see how long your aunt’s generosity lasts when she learns of the company you keep.”
At that, Simon broke away from Selena and skirted the edges of the room, avoiding anyone else who might have overheard fragments of their conversation. He needed a moment to think, to steady himself. Surely there had to be some mistake. If what Selena claimed was true, then...
No. He wouldn’t entertain the thought. Not when he and Emme were so close to a future together.
