Closing her eyes, she said, “I’m sorry. I never should have let you believe what I did. Nicholas and I are as much like brother and sister as Banning and I. Nicholas’s father was not a very agreeable man so Nicholas spent holidays and most summers with us. He took great pleasure in teasing me over everything, again, much like Banning. And yet, I’ve always been able to talk with him in a way I can’t with my brother.”
Matthew had no idea what to say to her. His jealousy of Ancroft now seemed petty and immature. And yet, he was curious why she hadn’t told him the truth at the beginning.
“Why didn’t you tell me this when I asked you the first time?”
She chuckled. “You were so furious when you found us out on the terrace.”
“You were wearing his jacket and he had his arm around you!” They had looked like lovers, not friends.
“And you looked as if you wanted to tear him apart.”
“I did,” he admitted.
“Why?”
He couldn’t tell her how jealous he’d felt that night. He had no right to be resentful of their relationship. Even at this point, he wondered if he had any rights where she was concerned.
“I know of Ancroft’s reputation. I didn’t want to see you hurt again,” he finally replied.
“Oh,” she said in a flat tone.
Had she wanted him to admit how he actually felt? She couldn’t possibly care when she obviously still loved John.
After pushing the covers off his torso, he sat up and looked down at the clothes strewn across the floor. “We should dress before someone finds us.”
Jennette nodded slowly.
As he dressed, the realization struck him that he didn’t want this afternoon to end. He wanted to continue their conversations and learn even more about her. What did she fear the most from marrying him? What was it that he felt certain she was hiding from him?
He would love to talk to her in more detail about his estates and his plans for the future. What ideas would she have for refurbishing his homes? He wondered if she would have any issues with hiring servants. Most ladies learned early on the proper way to hire help.
She could refurbish his houses. They could have children who would learn how to manage the estates properly. There was a conservatory in his home in Essex that would be a perfect place for her to paint. They could be happy.
He glanced back at her as she hurriedly dressed. They would be happy…if she could ever love him as much as she’d loved John.
They waited in silence for another twenty-five minutes, but she dared not ask him of his thoughts. With every minute that passed, his face darkened until he looked as if he might just strangle whoever walked through the door. The sound of horses neighing forced her to her feet. She raced to the window and looked down.
“Who is it?” he asked in a harsh tone.
“I cannot be certain.” She tilted her head, attempting to get a better view of the person. “I think it’s a man.”
“A man?” He exhaled sharply. “Your brother?”
“I don’t believe it’s Banning.”
“Then who?”
“I already told you I don’t know. I can’t get a good sight of the man.” She turned away from the window and crossed her arms over her chest. “What difference does it make? We’re caught.”
“So we are.”
Jennette pressed her lips together upon hearing the rough tone of his voice. He sounded very angry at the idea of marrying her.
Footsteps fell heavy on the wood floors. Doors opened and slammed shut on the lower level.
“Where the hell are they?” a man’s voice sounded from the second floor hallway.
“Somerton?” Matthew murmured. He strode for the attic door and shook it. “Somerton, we’re in here.”