Page 26 of The Notorious Lord Sin
If anything, the fact she was not part of the aristocracy had only increased his like of her.
Or perhaps more ...
Paris knew she should stop eating the cheesecakes, but then, she did not want to insult Dominic's cook, whom she had always coveted for herself, even when he was in France.
The idea of stealing the Lady Astoridge's cook from her had been a temptation that, at times, was hard to deny.
"I'm glad you were happy."
She threw him a small smile. His kindness, his sweet nature that seemed so at odds with the young man who had courted her years ago, was hard to reconcile.
Hard to remain angry and bitter toward him when he seemed to want to change or at least repair the damage his abandoning her had caused.
"You should know that even if I forgive you for what you did to me, I do not wish to marry again," she stated, the idea not as solidified in her mind as it was at the beginning of the Season. Or even several nights ago.
Why she could not fathom. Maybe it was that the idea of taking a lover had reminded her of all she had lost with Hervey's passing. Or perhaps it was because the first man she had ever loved was sitting beside her, attempting to make her fall in love with him again, being sweet, kind, and saying everything a woman who had suffered a broken heart wanted to hear.
"This is a problem," he said, biting into a cheesecake and dropping several crumbs onto his coat in the process. "Because I'm determined to marry, and the only woman I wish to be my wife is sitting beside me. A woman who is being very determined to remain a widow for the rest of her days, even though she is too young to be placed on the shelf."
Paris fought not to grin. On the shelf, indeed. "Just because I do not wish to marry does not mean I will be sidelined in such a way. I agreed to help you at Almacks, and I attend many balls and parties and have friends in high places, do I not? It is lucky for your sisters that I'm good friends with Lady Sefton, a patroness of Almacks. Being so will help smooth their way through the evening."
"I could kiss you for being so generous," he said. "But I will refrain because I'm a gentleman."
Paris slipped another cheesecake into her mouth. Better that than kissing him herself merely because she was starting to think she was far from a lady.
ChapterFifteen
Paris could not remember a lovelier day out of London. Not that they were too far away. The sun shone, there was barely a breeze, and the water was not so cold that her feet, once she had removed her boots and stockings, turned into little blue ice blocks.
Dominic, too, was being the perfect host. He poured her lemonades and even went so far as to chill the bottle in the river when they explored. The horses slept under the trees, which was reminiscent of the times they spent together before everything went so wrong.
As much as she had once wished for Dominic to be her husband, she could no longer afford such luxury. The thought of him seeing her daughter, their daughter, sent a chill down her spine.
The moment he viewed Maya, he would know. He would see that she was his. Thankfully Lord Hervey and Dominic shared similar coloring. Both their hair had been of a darker shade, and their eyes brown.
But he would tell. She knew to the center of her being that he would see the sweep of her eyes, the twist of her lips that was the same as his when he teased. He would see, and then her daughter would be ruined.
"What are your plans after the Season?" she asked him as they walked along the shallower part of the river, the smooth round rocks beneath her feet not unpleasant.
I will return to Surrey and tend to the estate. I'm hoping Anwen and Kate are married and happily settled, but it is only early in the Season, and no gentleman has yet to show interest."
"And your mother? Will she remain in town or return with you to Surrey?" Not that Paris would wish the dour Dowager Viscountess Astoridge on anyone, and indeed not on Dominic's new bride, but her ladyship, when it came to her son, never seemed far away.
"The dowager house has recently been remodeled," he said, his face one of displeasure that Paris wondered about. "She is to move there before the year is out."
"You do not wish her to leave your estate?" she asked.
He frowned and caught her eye. "Why would you ask such a thing?"
She shrugged, staring back over the water. "You looked pained by the fact that she is moving."
"Ah," he murmured. "No, it is not that. There are other things at play that need attending at home. Mother is merely one of them." They waded for a few more minutes in silence before he said, "And what of you? Are you returning to Landon Hall? I understand the earl's estate is quite grand."
"It is substantial, but thankfully I have an excellent steward who runs things while I'm away, and I see weekly reports. I want my son to inherit a profitable estate, and I shall do everything to protect that legacy."
"You are better than some," he said, his words tinged with regret.
Paris studied him, wondering why he suddenly seemed so melancholy. Perhaps it was the talk of her children or her married life with Lord Hervey.
