The Gentleman Who Loved Me (Heart of Enquiry Book 6)(46)

“What about him?” she said cautiously.

Polly tugged her over to the bed, where they sat side by side. “Given what has transpired between the two of you, I wondered if he would be a part of your future plans.”

Longing beat its wings… which were clipped by hurt as she recalled his refusal to marry her. She understood now why he’d rebuffed her—and why, even during his more recent possessive (and rather thrilling) rhetoric, he had not once mentioned marriage. But just because she understood his reasoning didn’t mean that she was eager to expose herself to more pain.

He was right: marriage wasn’t possible between them. He couldn’t give her respectability, and, if she were perfectly honest, she wasn’t so certain what she had to offer him. With his looks and wealth, he would have no shortage of females willing to share his bed or his life. What was so special about her: an inexperienced semi-virgin who’d brought him naught but trouble?

Why pursue something that can’t have a happy ending? Why open myself to torment?

“He can’t be part of my future,” she said dully.

“Why not?”

“He’s a brothel owner so I can’t marry him. And he’s too good for me, anyway.”

Polly blinked. “I think you’ll have to explain.”

Leaving out the fact that she’d asked Andrew to deflower her, Rosie confessed her visit to him—and her discovery of what he’d done on her behalf.

“Oh my goodness,” Polly breathed when she was done. “If you don’t marry him, I will!”

“Better not let your husband hear you say that.” Rosie was only half-joking; the earl was more than a little possessive when it came to his bride.

“Why, Mr. Corbett is your knight-errant,” Polly said, her eyes dreamy. “He’s protected you all this time without your knowledge. And buying The Prattler? I cannot think of a more gallant and romantic gesture.”

Her defenses crumbling, Rosie reinforced them by slapping on the plaster of common sense. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t get involved with him. Not now, when I finally have what I want.”

Polly’s brows rose. “Do you?”

“I have a title. Once I garner Mrs. James and Lady Daltry’s support, I’ll have a position in the ton too. No one can snub or reject me again,” she said fiercely.

“I know acceptance is important to you, but I’ve always thought you deserved more.”

“Love, you mean?” She shook her head. “That’s for other people—”

“I believed the same thing once. When I wanted to settle for a loveless marriage, you told me I deserved better. Now I’m returning the favor.” Polly took Rosie’s hands, her expression earnest. “If I’ve learned anything, it’s that nothing is as important as love.”

“I didn’t say I was in love with Andrew Corbett,” she said quickly.

Perhaps too quickly because Polly gave her an acute look. “But you do have feelings for him?”

Heat rose into her cheeks. “I may be attracted to him, but it doesn’t matter,” she said a tad desperately, “because he has no intention of marrying me. In fact, I practically offered for him once, and he turned me down flat.”

At least he’s been consistent, she thought forlornly. He’s never pretended that marriage is possible between us. He probably wants a less troublesome wife and a woman who’s good for more than just looking pretty.

“Only because he thought he was doing the honorable thing,” Polly argued. “If you told him that you don’t care about what Society thinks—”

“But I do.” Her hands balled; there was no solution to her conundrum. “I cannot compromise everything that I’ve worked for just to indulge some whim of passion. I won’t prove the ton right by carrying on like the veriest trollop.”

“Falling in love doesn’t make you a trollop.” Polly gently touched her arm. “When I was confused about Sinjin, when I didn’t know what I ought to do, the truest guide was my heart. I hope you will listen to yours. And whatever you decide, know that I’ll be here for you.”

Rosie placed her hand atop her sister’s, said gratefully, “What would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to find out, dearest.”

~~~

Later that evening, Polly’s maid was brushing her hair out after her bath when Sinjin entered through the door that connected their bedchambers. At the sight of her husband, Polly felt a tingle from head to toe. She still couldn’t believe that this beautiful, loving man was all hers.

Dismissing her maid, he came to her, his big hands settling on her shoulders. His eyes, a rich sensual blue, met hers in the looking glass. “Ready for bed, kitten?” he murmured.

“I’m not tired,” she said truthfully. Too much was brewing in her head.

“Capital.” He picked her up, startling a giggle from her, and carried her to the bed. Making short work of her robe and his, he lay her down, crawling over her like a sleek, playful panther. “Now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted this afternoon?”

Desire warred with worry as she stared up at her gorgeous husband.

“What’s the matter?” Concern lined his features. “Are you feeling unwell? Is it the babe—”