Nicolas schooled his features as a grin tried to break free. He was well ahead of Rebecca’s plans for him. “I have already considered remarriage.”
His daughter smiled. “So you will bend your attention to courting a lady this season?”
He didn’t need the sort of lady Rebecca had in mind. Would he need to keep the news from his daughters until the last moment? Unfortunately, yes. This daughter would definitely disapprove of him marrying a lady who’d been working as a companion. Gillian was perfect for him—lusty, lovely and lively. Traits he needed very much in his life on a permanent basis. All he had to do was convince her to say yes.
He nodded. He’d start an official courtship tomorrow and marry before the season began if Gillian agreed.
He was certain Gillian loved Jessica, and he hoped she might love him too. Given what they’d already shared in this room, an
d hers, he believed she must already feel a strong affection for him. How many times had they made love now? Seven or eight, and the night of her accident, they’d made love twice in the short hours they’d been together.
He was going to marry Gillian as soon as the Christmas nonsense was over. He could barely wait till they were alone again. Just the three of them rambling about Stapleton and in London.
Having thought she’d won, Rebecca bid him good night and swept from the room smiling broadly, leaving Nicolas to plan his first ever courtship. He laughed softly at the novelty. He seemed to be going about this marriage business entirely backward, but how else could he have known his heart if he’d not taken a risk?
If not for that wretched mistletoe in his pocket, he’d never have come to know Gillian Thorpe.
He climbed the steps to his bedchamber, cast a longing glance toward Gillian’s distant doorway, but moved on to spend the night imagining how delightfully he and Gillian would enjoy the long hours of their wedding night.
And the hundreds of nights that would come after, when they would share a bed and love each other all night long.
If she might one day love him the way he hoped.
Chapter 10
“The duke has agreed and that is that,” Mrs. Warner informed the gathered ladies with a huge smile, utterly delighted with the devastating news she was sharing.
Gillian’s heart sank. She could hardly believe she’d misjudged Nicolas’ intentions so very badly. He knew Jessica wasn’t ready for marriage and still he would push her out of home to find a husband. “I cannot believe it.”
“The duke does as he pleases,” Mrs. Warner scowled her way, and then shrugged. “Men tire so easily of women’s concerns unless it suits their purpose, and Stapleton is no different.”
“Why isn’t he telling me this himself?” Jessica protested.
Mrs. Warner smiled at her sister. “Be happy, Jessica. He is at last being sensible. He has indulged you, but he must live his own life. He has admitted he longs for companionship and will marry. He will undoubtedly choose a young lady of quality with an impeccable pedigree this season. Knowing my father as well as I do, he will already have picked her out and is just waiting for the right moment to make the announcement. Which will be soon, of course.”
“Who?” Jessica clung to Gillian’s hand tightly. “Papa wouldn’t marry without telling me first.”
Mrs. Warner glanced about the assembled ladies with a smug expression. Her friends straightened, smiling widely at everyone as if they knew more than they could say. “I suspect he’s already begun his courtship. It is just a matter of time before there is a wedding announcement in the London papers. St. George’s, of course. I expect that is why he is sending you to me.”
Gillian patted Jessica’s hand. It couldn’t be true. Jessica would never be so ruthlessly discarded by her doting father. Mrs. Warner must have misunderstood him about Jessica’s future.
“But this is excellent news for us too,” Mrs. Hawthorne exclaimed. “Mrs. Thorpe will be free to come to work for me now, and guide my dear Natalia toward her own happy marriage.”
Mrs. Hawthorne smiled broadly at Gillian as if her prayers had been answered. Gillian just stared at her. Surely she didn’t actually believe Mrs. Warner about this. And surely the Hawthorne’s could not afford to employ another servant, let alone the wages of a companion, after all she’d heard of their situation. “Will I?”
Mrs. Hawthorne leaned forward, eyes pleading. “Oh, do say you’ll come work with my daughters, Mrs. Thorpe. Everything will work out perfectly for all of us if you do.”
Gillian willed Jessica to be silent for a moment and think of who was sharing such bad news and why. Mrs. Warner had always tried to manage Jessica, like a doll or plaything. They may be sisters but the woman rarely listened to opinions that differed. “I have a position here.”
“Which will not continue when Jessica comes to live with me,” Mrs. Warner informed her briskly. “You cannot remain where you are not needed. Jessica will have my staff to take care of her. My guidance. No more gallivanting around this estate in a condition no properly bred young lady should be in. No more inappropriate conversations with unacceptable men. No more talk of fungus at the dinner table. It is high time I took over the girl’s education. She’s nearly ruined as it is.”
Mrs. Hawthorne gaped at Mrs. Warner, and as a worried frown filled her face, Gillian’s heart sank. Mrs. Hawthorne must regret her impulsive offer of employment now after that outpouring of spite. If Mrs. Warner spoke the truth of Nicolas’ plans, she would do her best to make Gillian unemployable too, just because Gillian had always spoken up when she disagreed over Jessica’s upbringing. “Her father has voiced no objections to my instruction.”
“What father truly knows what is best for an impressionable young woman in this day and age, I ask you?” Mrs. Warner shrugged and the gesture infuriated Gillian. “How can the girl make a suitable match if she’s left to rusticate here?”
“That is true,” Mrs. Hawthorne said softly, her gaze downcast. Worried. The Hawthornes could not afford the expense of a London season for their daughter, and everyone knew they depended on Natalia to make an excellent match.
Gillian caught Mrs. Hawthorne’s eye. “Natalia is pretty and accomplished enough to have her pick of any number of gentlemen when she comes out this spring.”