Page 20 of Irresistible
“It doesn’t bother me,” he said.
“Are you concerned your becoming the heir will provoke renewed interest?”
“Not terribly, but I can’t say I have no worry at all. What I do know is that my father won’t stand for any of it. He’ll tell everyone—and has—that he is my father, and there is nothing more to be said on the matter.”
She stared at him, hearing the pride and love in his voice. And envying him more than a little. “Thank you. I’m so glad you shared this with me. I confess it makes me feel rather close to you.”
“Like a wife?” He looked her way for a moment. Before she could respond, he returned his attention to the road. “That only aids our cause.”
Feeling slightly unnerved, she reminded herself that she wasn’t his wife, that she was only pretending to be. As he’d mentioned earlier, this was ascheme. “I’ll stop pestering you now.”
“I’m afraid it’s your turn anyway,” he said. “I know your mother is controlling and cold and that your father is usually busy reading. What else should I know?”
“That my grandfather is as wonderful as your father sounds. He’s Lord Goodfellow.”
“I don’t think I’ve met him.”
“He rarely comes to London. My parents are at his estate now. I would normally have accompanied them, but I need a respite from my mother. I’ll see him at Christmas.”
“And does he support your spinsterhood?”
“I haven’t spoken to him about it.” She ought to have by now. “I suppose I’ve been nervous. What if he doesn’t support me?” She wasn’t sure she could deal with that disappointment.
“If he’s as wonderful as you say, he must,” Dougal said as if it were obvious. “You can’t be wrong about him. Trust him to be the man you know him to be.”
“Aren’t you just full of wisdom,” she said with a laugh. “You make a compelling argument. I will speak with him about it. Thank you.”
“One last question. For now,” he added with the flash of a smile. “Have you tried to fade into the background? I just can’t see how you haven’t had at least one proposal. Or have you, and you declined?”
Jess considered whether to tell him about Asa. She hadn’t mentioned him to anyone in years. But in the interest of deepening their association for the sake of the mission, she decided there was no reason to withhold the tale. “I have had exactly one, actually.”
He turned his head. “Indeed? Why did you refuse him?”
“I didn’t. He changed his mind. I later discovered that my parents had paid him to do so.”
He muttered something under his breath, and while she couldn’t discern what he’d said, she would wager he’d disparaged her parents. She liked him even more. “I begin to understand why your parents vex you so.”
“I confess I refused to consider any potential husbands out of spite.” She shrugged. “I suppose it became an ingrained habit after the first few Seasons.”
“Is it then fair to say your resistance to marriage is due to a habit you could break for the right person?”
She laughed at that. “I don’t think so. As I said, it’s rather ingrained now. Furthermore, I’ve yet to meet another man who provoked even a hint of marriage to enter my mind.”
“Not one has caught your fancy in any way?”
“No. I’ve no desire to be leg-shackled to a man, particularly after watching my sisters submit to their insufferable husbands.”
“Not all men are insufferable. I can’t imagine you’d choose one who was,” he added wryly.
“I would hope not, but their insufferability didn’t present itself until after they were wed.” Jess cocked her head in contemplation. “Actually, my middle sister doesn’t see it, but that’s because she’s a bit insufferable too.”
Dougal laughed. “Excellent. Now please tell me there’s food in that basket you set between our feet.”
“Yes, it’s a dinner of ham, cheese, fruit, and bread. There’s ale too. Are you hungry now?”
“Not yet, but I shall look forward to it. I think we must review our stories one last time.”
One last time. Very soon, she wouldbeMrs. Smythe. The nervousness she’d kept at bay stole over her quickly and settled into her bones. She slid a look at Mr. Smythe and wondered how they would get on when they were alone. More than that, she wondered what she would do if her investigation into his activities revealed something nefarious.
