Hearing the name of his former Oxford drinking haunt on his cousin’s lips surprised him but her talk of women of supposedly low morals sent a chill through him too. He’d met his first sweetheart at a tavern, the very one she named. He’d never confessed to anyone the disappointment he’d suffered at discovering Eve Summers, a custodian’s daughter, had quit Oxford overnight. It had been before Teresa had come to live with them. “What could you possibly know of such matters?”
Teresa swallowed. “Mother said you spent a lot of time drinking when you were younger. She was very clear in her disapproval. I’m glad you never found a similar situation here in Brighton.”
The tavern in Oxford had rented rooms by the hour to lovers with nowhere else to go for bed play. He and Eve had made good use of one.
“I see.” Had Mother been filling Teresa’s head with his youthful indiscretions? He was furious if that were true. Not even Melanie knew of the most embarrassing infatuation of his youth. He met Teresa’s gaze directly and saw embarrassment. She undoubtedly knew about Eve. “What I do in my personal life is my business, cousin. You would do well to remember who has kept a roof over your head all these summers.”
She blinked. “There’s no need for hostility.”
“Isn’t there?” He folded his arms over his chest. Melanie’s warning about Teresa was suddenly all too easy to believe as the truth. Teresa’s habit of calling his parents Mother and Father too was beginning to grate. He leaned forward a touch. “Tell me, how long have you been a spy in my home? And don’t bother to deny you are writing to my mother and father about me. Your own words proclaim you’ve been sticking your nose where it does not belong already.”
“I’m not. Your sister feels very strongly that—”
“Misquote my sister at your peril,” he bit out. “Melanie has known for years what I intended to do with my life and for your information, it was Melanie who had me draw up a plan for my business. She also insisted I marry Julia the very afternoon of our race.”
Teresa glanced around nervously. “She is against the match. Everyone knows how she feels about that girl.”
“I doubt anyone knows her feelings on any matter. She’s not written to anyone but me, and as far as I can tell, no one has written to her. Someone else has been conveying a false report of her opinions and I think it is you.” He flexed his fingers over his arms, furious that he’d not realized what his cousin had been secretly doing to Melanie behind her back. He didn’t need to wait for Walter George’s findings to believe it. “Why would you be so cruel to her? She treated you as a sister.”
“I told the truth!” Teresa tossed her head. “The truth no one sees. Melanie isn’t the saint she appears to everyone else. She’s greedy and manipulative and still everyone adores her.”
“Not everyone adores her, and that is thanks to you. She certainly is not a saint but she’s not against my marriage or my choices.” Melanie had two large flaws, in his opinion. Often tactless and blunt, Melanie also went to pieces instead of helping the ill and infirm. “You cannot live in my home and speak ill of my sister to my friends. She has her faults, just as everyone does, but I will always see the best in her. Today, Melanie was offering Julia, at her request, advice on how to help me in my future endeavors. And what have you done? Sided with my parents, who want to drag me back to their stuffy, ordered world, and poured scorn on an honest and decent young woman.”
“Valentine. Please! Just listen to me a moment. She’s not as innocent as you imagine.”
“Stop.” He held out his hand to silence her. He did not want to hear from her the tale that Julia had taken his father’s money or anything else. He knew Julia. “I’ve heard and learned enough. Choose carefully, cousin. It’s time to decide where your loyalties lie.”
“You’re making a terrible mistake.”
Valentine sighed. After all he’d done for Teresa, allowing her to live in his home because doctors claimed her health improved in the fresher sea air, treating her as a cherished sister and spoiling her as much as his finances allowed. How could she be so dismissive of his choices? “I don’t believe that.”
Teresa licked her lips and glanced around, clutching her new reticule tightly. He studied it and the blinders finally came off.
Teresa didn’t care about him at all. She believed her life would be ruined by his choices. She’d chosen his parents’ side to secure a comfortable life for herself.
He felt sick.
His revulsion must have shown on his face because Teresa paled, edged back a step and then fled
into the hotel, returning to his father and his money.
Eleven
Twilight had always been Julia’s favorite time of day. She’d take stock of her achievements and make plans for tomorrow. Although now her tomorrow had to allow for her suitor. She glanced up at his face and saw a frown there yet again. “You’re very quiet tonight.”
Valentine squeezed her arm. “I am sorry. I have a lot on my mind right now.”
“You’re worried about tonight? I am too. What am I expected to say to them?” Julia asked again of Valentine, her stomach twisting in knots about the last minute invitation. She’d hoped their imminent marriage would appease the company but she’d never imagined she’d have to face them first.
Valentine shook his head. It wasn’t the first time since his invitation to join them that he appeared confused. “I’ve no idea what they want with you.”
“Breathe, and be yourself,” Melanie advised again in a soft voice as they reached the end of a darkening street and the glow of the clockmaker’s shop windows loomed ahead.
Julia halted and glanced around; even with night falling, she felt exposed. “I feel like everyone is looking at me.”
“They are,” Melanie agreed unhelpfully, “and you are doing splendidly, I assure you.”
“Quite right,” Mr. George agreed as well. “Don’t fret until there is a need to.”