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“And yet, you haven’t run away,” he whispered in her ear.
“Cad.”
“So everyone believes.” He glanced away from her deliberately. “Personally, I have always preferred blondes. And petite, too. Will this be a problem?”
“I should think someone in your situation cannot be too particular.”
“Yes, but you will find me the perfect wife, or so you said,” he answered. The only perfect thing about a wife who met his description was that she wouldn’t remind him of Jennette.
“Yes, I will,” she said with more force than necessary.
As the music ended, Matthew reluctantly led her back to her brother. Selby stared coldly at him.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Jennette. I quite enjoyed it.” He bowed over her hand, then left her to be chastised by her brother.
Banning led her away from the crowded ballroom. “Have you completely lost your mind?”
At this point, Jennette wasn’t certain. Insanity might be preferable to what she’d gotten herself into tonight.
“Why is he even here?” Banning asked as they reached the salon where only an hour before Sophie had foretold her future, with far too much accuracy.
“He is looking for a wife, Ban. I’m sure you realize that his reputation is ruined and most families won’t invite him to even a musicale.”
“Well, then he shouldn’t have impaled his best friend with a sword.”
Jennette closed her eyes and pressed her lips together. The image of standing over John as he fell to the grassy field was too much for her. She could still smell the repugnant odor of blood. The red liquid flowed from his body like a river rushing to the ocean. For as long as she lived, she would never forget the look of shock on his face. Or his last gasp for breath with a rapier impaled in his lung.
Suddenly, Banning pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, Jen.”
“He was such a good man.” And she had killed him.
“I know. He didn’t deserve to die so young.”
A tear fell down her cheek. Matthew was a good man, too. And he didn’t deserve this, either. If her attention had been on John and not elsewhere, Matthew would never have been put in this position.
“I have to help him find a wife, Banning.”
Her brother drew away and stared down at her. “What?”
“It was an accident. He never would have hurt John. The grass was damp, his foot slipped and John couldn’t react in time.” Every time she told that damning lie, her heart raced with the fear of being discovered.
“They were grown men who should have known better than to practice with swords on wet grass,” Banning said.
Jennette nodded, remembering Matthew’s words of caution to her that morning. “And I suppose you never have made a mistake?”
“That bastard will say anything to clear his name.”
“I was there. I know what happened.”
“I don’t want you anywhere near him,” he said in a ferocious tone.
“It is not your business.” Jennette usually loved a good quarrel with her brother but not tonight. After her encounter with Matthew, her nerves were on edge. “The man’s name has been bruised enough. He nee
ds a wealthy wife to save him from his father and brother’s gambling debts. And I will do my best to find him one.”
Banning crossed his arms over his chest. His blue eyes sparkled with anger as he stared at her. “Just as long as it isn’t you.”
Her lips curved upward. “I have no intention of marrying him.”
