“You heard me. Oh, was your ego expecting me to fall all over you in thanks?”
“But-but—”
“Yes, I know. You’re a catch.” She gave a negligent wave of one hand. “Richer than Croesus, handsomer than Zeus, blah blah blah.”
It was Beth’s turn to gape at her cousin.
Evan stared at her, his eyes narrowing with each phrase, each “blah.” This is what she thought of marrying him? Of his apology and declaration of how much he missed her and wanted to be with her? How did he misjudge this whole thing so badly?
Wait, handsomer than Zeus? Damn me, I shall have to bask in that later.
“I confess, you have me at a loss.” The trite words, hammered into every aristocrat from the cradle, rolled off his tongue while he fumbled for what to do next.
“Thank you for the kind offer, Lord Cheltenham, but I am afraid I must refuse. I am sure my cousin can walk you out.” Althea did not sound grateful in the least. And she was staring daggers at Beth.
****
Beth was back through the library door in no time, slamming the door behind her before stomping back to her chair in front of Althea’s desk. She folded her arms over her chest. “What in heaven’s name are you thinking?”
“He offered marriage because—what? Two women told him to? He was ‘bereft’?” Althea heard the sneer in her voice. “Where was the declaration of love? Where was the feeling that he cannot envision life without me? The need to be together? For that matter, what about doing better the next time and not walking away when he gets angry in the future? ’Twas as though he was admitting a minor mistake and correcting his error and doing me a favor by it. No. I shall be no man’s charity. I know you say he supports women’s independence, but how can I trust that he will do so in a marriage given his actions to date? I need an affirmation that we will be equal partners.”
“It mayhap was not the best.” Beth nodded her head side to side in acknowledgment. “But my word, those dismissive things you said to him, cuz. They are actually true. He’s considered the catch of the Ton, as good as a duke and probably better in bed.”
That was certainly true. Althea shook her head and refocused. “There was no mention of love, much less allowing me to keep my shops. He likely saw some of our profits in that letter from Charlotte and feels as though he’s missing out.”
Beth gave her a withering look. “Althea. The man’s worth probably increases more in a month than what you make in a year. You cannot truly believe that.”
Now Althea folded her arms to match Beth’s belligerent expression. “He told me himself he and Charlotte are quite competitive.”
“Not to the extent he’dwedsomeone to win! You are in love with him. You wanted respectability in order to spend time with him. He offered you the most respectable choice we women get. Yet you declined.” She threw up her hands.
“’Tis only respectable with respect. And I never said I loved him.”
“Oh, please. At least admit it to yourself if not to me or him. And how can you doubt his respect? He has never offered a woman marriage before.”
Althea preened internally, just a little.
Beth continued. “I will accede that his offer was not the most romantic, but you could have discussed all that.” The younger woman took a deep breath, her already-impressive bosom heaving upward. “Cuz. I love you. I will always love you. I am not sure I understand your reasoning, but I support your decision. I hope you won’t regret it.”
“I am perfectly happy.”
“I think not. You said so yourself when you wanted to succeed to spite Evan and you have proven it every day these past weeks overworking yourself and then skulking around the house with a dour face. Now, you not only know what you’re missing, but you cannot avoid the man who showed you how wonderful it can be between two people. Cheltie’s circle is broad.”
Althea frowned in disgruntlement. She’d managed well enough before his house party. Their paths had rarely crossed. But is that what she wanted? And their circles had certainly overlapped more and more recently.
How will I face Evan at parties? Charlotte’s house? Even the streets of Mayfair? What if he has another lady on his arm?
Pain stabbed through her chest, stealing her breath. Gasping, she stood and circled the desk to pace the length of the room.
Gads, Beth is right. Not only am I not happy, but I am irrevocably in love with Evan.
Evan of all people should have understood what she needed—more even than an admission of love, a confirmation that she’d be able to maintain her independence. And yet, there had been no mention of that.
She was stuck. Unable to return to her blithely ignorant state pre-Evan but unwilling to trust that her business would remain her own in a traditional marriage. Yet miserable without him. She yearned to marry him. The rest could have been negotiated. Two business-minded people should have seen that.
“Lud, what have I done?”
Chapter Nineteen
