Page 63 of Only Pleasure Will Do

“No. I was just surprised that they would take such an interest in me.”

“They understand what you have been through, Maddy. They would like to help launch you into Society.” Nibbling on the cake now, Kat continued to stare at her.

“I wish you did not think that the only solution.” What she wouldn’t give to be able to simply marry Reginald and begin life over again with him rather than be trotted out at every ball and entertainment in the hopes of finding a husband.

“It is not the only solution, my dear, but it is the best one.” Kat poured their tea and stirred it, her blue eyes trained on Maddy all the while. “You may not believe it, but it is true. Once you are accepted in Town as one of Society, you may do as you wish with regard to marrying. A title is not out of your reach now that you have your inheritance.”

“Do you think I’ll be happy just because I have a title?” Maddy huffed out a breath and snared her cup of tea. “If I must marry, I would prefer a man to whom I’m at least a little attracted.”

“Or very attracted?”

Maddy jerked up her head to find Kat with a smirk on her lips.

“I do have eyes to see with, Maddy, so I’m quite certain you’ve set your cap for Reginald.”

Heat leaped into Maddy’s cheeks, as scalding as the tea that threatened to spill all over her gown as her hand shook. Carefully, she set the cup in its saucer. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Kat snorted. “Of course you do. Your affection for him as been apparent from the moment you arrived.”

Maddy bit her lip until she tasted blood.

With a little shake of her head, Kat sent Maddy a reassuring glance. “Oh, don’t worry. I quite approve, as does Duncan.”

“Then why—”

“Because you must come out in Society as Miss Aimee Forrester and establish that identity for all to see.” Kat patted her arm and the warm touch calmed Maddy. “Reginald is a magistrate now. As such, he will need a wife who can accompany him to both social and political functions. A wife who can be a brilliant hostess when he requires it. If you are forever afraid of Amorina Vestry’s ghost coming back to life, you cannot serve either Reginald or yourself as you should.” Kat shook her head. “You cannot live the rest of your life hiding under a basket.”

Maddy hung her head. That was precisely what she would have done had Kat and Duncan not intervened. She’d this minute be back at the House of Pleasure, Pearl off in Paglesham for another five months instead of being upstairs, where Maddy could see her any time of the day or night. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but she’d had to do things on her own for so long, it was hard to accept the help that was offered her. “I won’t, I promise you.”

“There is no reason you cannot marry Reginald. In fact, he’s made his intention to ask you quite clear to Duncan.”

Maddy’s heart gave a great thump, and she forgot to breathe.

“However,” Kat skewered her with a steely look, “if you wish to do so, you may want to discover his motives for the marriage. Does he have true affection for you? Now that he’s rescued you and Pearl, he may simply feel irrevocably responsible for you.” The marchioness’s gaze bored directly into Maddy’s soul. “Wouldn’t you like to find out if he shares your warm regard as well?”

Helplessly, Maddy cast about for some answer other than ‘No.’ She settled for, “I don’t know. We have not been much in company since he rescued me.”

“All the better to let him escort you and dance attendance on you. Nothing is better for a woman’s morale than to have a gentleman forever doing something for her.” Kat nodded, and Maddy immediately suspected that the woman spoke from experience. “And it will do wonders for Reginald to have to share you with other gentlemen. Perhaps it will clarify his feelings.”

Kat spoke truth, so it mattered little that Maddy did not like the idea one bit. She would prefer to have Reginald all to herself without the necessity of paying attention to other men. But if the marchioness thought this way was best, she would swallow her impatience and trepidation and learn to live in Society.

Hopefully, she could then convince Reginald she could be the perfect wife for him if only he’d give her the chance to prove it.