She knew what sort she’d marry. An affable fellow that her sister would likely call dull. Sure, Minnie and Diana had tamed rakes but Ada, she’d be lucky to tame her red hair into a coif subdued enough for a merchant or a doctor. She’d been courted by an adventurer. Or that’s what she liked to call him. A man who went off to exciting places to study animals. But even he’d left her. She just wasn’t exciting enough, she was certain of it. Her chest tightened and her head dropped. A clumsy, boring woman. That’s what she was. “You do know that gentleman take the blame as a rule.”
“I’m no gentleman,” he whispered leaning close. “But if you’d like me to, it can be all my fault. This time and every time.”
Every time? What was that supposed to mean? She scrunched her brow but his wicked grin that curled his lips told her that he meant something untoward and was now making fun of her lack of experience.
There was no point in answering, so she sat down, her gaze straight ahead so as not to have to look at anyone. The wedding had ended and the rosy feeling that had filled her chest watching the nuptials was gone. Which was all Vice’s fault. Crossing her arms, she glared at him. She might hate that man.
Chapter Two
Ada was nothing like he’d expected from their first meeting. She’d been soft, compliant as far as he could tell. He’d assumed that gaining her affection would be as easy as giving her a few kind words.
Her glare, currently burning into his chest, said otherwise. Still, he liked a challenge. And Ada was all the more interesting for being less pliant.
Now, gaining her affection would not only make his life easier, it would make it all the more fun.
But a niggle of doubt crept into his thoughts. What if Ada was like Camille? A woman of worth who found him to be worthless? He flinched, remembering her. He’d spent years attempting to prove her wrong.
He shook his head. He’d not allow his relationship with Ada to go that far. He just wanted her to have a small crush, that would enable him to more easily watch over her. Of course, he didn’t want her to get too close. He never allowed any of them to get really close. Not since Camille.
He met her eyes, hers narrowing with irritation.
Giving her his best smile, he righted his chair and then reached out his hand. “Shall we go greet the bride and groom?”
She drew in a long breath before gingerly placing hers in his. “Let’s.”
Her mother leaned over from the row in front of them. “Are you all right, Ada?”
Ada gave a stiff nod. “Fine, mother.”
Her mother gave Vice a quick glance, before leaning over to whisper. “You must try to be more ladylike. I don’t know why this keeps—”
Ada huffed, embarrassment making her cheeks heat. “I was perfectly ladylike. There is no need to further my humiliation.”
Her mother wrinkled her brow, snapping her fan against her palm. “Ada Lynn.” Her voice came out sharp, rising to echo through the church. “I’ve raised you to be more respectful than that.”
Vice stepped closer. “It’s quite all right, Mrs. Chase. She’s correct in that I’m to blame for the fall. I shall try to be more careful.”
Mrs. Chase’s expression instantly changed as she gave Vice a wide smile. At least he’d won over one Chase woman. “I’m sure you will be.”
Then the matron began to move, heading toward the aisle to follow the bride and groom from the church.
Tucking Ada’s hand into his elbow, he bent down to whisper in her ear. “I pacified your mother.”
Ada shook her head. “Perhaps. Though you don’t understand the intensity with which my mother takes to matching her daughters. If I were you, I’d be concerned.”
He paused, straightening. Well-placed move on her part. He wondered if she played chess. “Was that a threat?”
She arched one brow. “A warning. Take care with the attention you publicly give me.”
That made the air whoosh from his lungs. “I’ve promised my friends to publicly watch over you. How can I take care?” Technically, he’d only stayed with her to make sure she stayed quiet about the gaming hell he secretly owned. She and her sisters had discovered his secret and by doing so had fallen into danger with a dangerous criminal, the Countess of Abernath.
She shrugged as they stepped into the aisle. “That is something you’ll have to decide for yourself.”
He let out a small growl of frustration. He’d been about to claim that she owed him a boon. To collect, she’d have to allow him to escort her to the opening soiree of the season. That would be his chance to woo and watch her.
But she had a point, spending time with her was dangerous. First, for propriety’s sake. But second, for his own sanity. When he picked women of the utmost success, he was confident, debonair. But Ada had thrown him off his game. For Christ’s sake, he’d fallen out of a chair while sitting. And she had his thoughts bouncing from one extreme to the next.
Her hip brushed his and his own body clenched in awareness. What was it about this woman? By all accounts, he should have her easily in hand.