“I care not.” She waved her hand. “I’ll run your orphanages if I can’t marry.”
“Tricia!” Her sister’s sharp tone startled her. “How can you say that?”
Tricia blinked at her sister. “You applied yourself to avoiding marriage.”
“I know, but I was wrong. What I have with Luke, it’s worth more than anything in the world. To think of you not having that…”
“There is no guarantee I would ever find something like that.” Tricia shook her head, thinking that it would be impossible for her to find what her sister had. She knew she wasn’t a beauty and most men would not understand that she wanted to dedicate herself to more than just the home. “I like the idea of giving myself to charity. It has real meaning beyond planning parties and picking out dresses. I don’t want mother’s life.”
Tabbie shook her head. “All the same, you should leave yourself open to marriage. You never know what might happen.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Tricia clasped her hands in her lap, wishing to avoid an argument with her strong-willed sister. But she’d mostly made up her mind. She wouldn’t bother looking for the man who would allow her to continue what she already knew she loved.
“His Grace seems rather fond of you.” Tabbie gave her a sideways glance.
Tricia’s insides fluttered with hope but she pushed them away. Better not to hope wasn’t it? “I doubt that very much. He thinks I am a nuisance.” Her thoughts immediately went to their last carriage ride together and the feel of his parts poking into her. “But if he were, how would I know?”
Tabbie smiled. “He would hold your hand to comfort you, much like he did today. He would look at you with affection, help you when you needed it, if for example an errant cousin needed saving.”
Making a face at her sister, Tricia held up her hand. “Now you are just teasing me. He agreed to help me with Fenton within minutes of meeting me, and I know for certain he held no affection for me. He seemed rather put out.”
“But why, then, would he help you?”
“To make sure I left the docklands,” Tricia answered.
“But why not just escort you home?” Tabbie tapped her chin, it was a look Tricia knew well. Her sister was puzzling something out.
Grabbing her sister’s forearm, she wanted to impress upon Tabbie there was nothing to puzzle over. “He was afraid I would return.”
“But you weren’t his responsibility. Once he delivered you, what did it matter if you returned? Unless he cares for your wellbeing…”
“Tabbie, please. You are trying to paint Ryker’s feelings for me with Luke’s brush.”
“I’m not sure that I am.” Tabbie tapped her chin again and then stood slowly to ring the bell. When a servant appeared, she asked, “Could you please find my husband and have him join us?”
“Tabbie,” Tricia’s voice held a warning. She knew her sister. Once Tabbie started scheming it was difficult to change her course.
“I haven’t done anything,” Tabbie answered with far too much innocence.
Tricia stood as well. “Yet,” she grumbled. “But I know you.”
Luke entered the library. “How is your father?”
Tabbie’s mouth turned down. “He’s terrible,” she whispered. “But that is not what I want to discuss. You know His Grace. Can you speak with him? Find out what his intentions are? Technically, he’s been alone with Tricia—”
“Stop.” Tricia scurried across the room to stand next to her sister. “I know what you’re doing. You can’t help father so you are trying to secure my future.”
“That isn’t it—”
“Pish, it’s the same thing I did with Fenton. But I don’t need you to save me, Tabbie.” She turned to Luke, standing taller. Her sister was not going to force a match here. “Under no circumstances are you to demand he marry me.”
Luke gave her a wink. “I won’t have to. He’ll offer.”
“Stop saying that. He won’t.” Tricia had been alone with him. She knew he didn’t want to marry her. It was obvious to her and everyone else that took stock of her attributes. He was the most handsome man she’d ever met and she was barely pretty, not at all sophisticated. Besides, she wanted to dedicate herself to charity, didn’t she?
“But I have business to discuss with him. Honestly, I might know something of his thief. I received a missive from Coventry involving something similar. It might be coincidence but it’s information I will pass on to His Grace. I’ll go see him this afternoon and make no demands but perhaps ask a few pointed questions?”
Tricia reluctantly nodded and Tabbie clapped with delight. If Luke could help with his thief, she wouldn’t feel so guilty about imposing upon him. If he was interested in courting her, it would give her time to decide how she felt about it. Because she had no intention of marrying.