Page 6 of The Notorious Lord Sin
She downed her wine and finished it. "Friends, my lord? I think the time for such companionship is at an end. And if you cannot remember when any affection I had for you vanished, I'll remind you." She tapped her chin, thinking of the worst day of her life. "That we were intimate before you so bluntly told me that I was not worthy of your hand but days later. In the Romney library, this very house if you need reminding," she said, watching him and enjoying the blush that stole across his cheeks. "But I do wish you well in wife-hunting. Do keep my suggestions in mind. You will not find better," she said, walking away, unable to hide the smirk from her lips.
ChapterThree
Dominic watched as Lady Hervey lifted her nose and strolled away without a backward glance. He soon lost her in the sea of heads and inwardly swore.
"Well, that did not seem to go as planned," Gage said at his side, cringing before handing him a glass of wine.
"No, it did not," he agreed. "She is angry with me, which is understandable, I suppose, but I thought after five years, we may be civil to one another."
Gage nodded sympathetically but looked less than convinced. "It may take time. She has not seen you in so long, and she has only recently come out of mourning. With the death of the earl, she has not been in town for over a year, and some of her decorum may be a little ... unpracticed."
"Unpracticed?" Dominic repeated. "I do not think that is the case. She knew what her words meant and how to strike at me. She's mad still, and there is little I can do about it."
Gage clapped him on the shoulder, gesturing to all the guests before them. "Mingle, dance, there is certain to be a young lady who suits you here, or at many other entertainments you shall attend in the coming weeks. Unless you're looking to make the widow Hervey your new viscountess?" Gage asked, pinning him with a stare.
Dominic's gut clenched at the thought. He liked the idea of Paris being his wife, even after all the years they were apart. She was once all he had ever wanted until his mother reminded him he had two sisters to marry and care for, and a good marriage for himself was paramount in throwing them into other suitable matches.
Not that he had to concern himself too much, for his sisters were only now coming of age. He could have married Miss Smith and secured her position in society for five years already, therefore not impacting his name in any way. Maybe her accounting may have been better than his, and he would not have found himself in such dire financial circumstances.
Miss Smith is penniless with no family connections worth a penny.
His mother's warning echoed in his mind as he caught a glimpse of Paris through the throng of guests. She spoke with Lord Spencer. The marquess was the same age as himself, and as rich as Croesus.
Unlike himself.
A penniless viscount.
He downed his wine, shame washing through him. He was a failure in every way. If society found out about his downfall, there would be no saving himself or his family's standing.
And he could not fail. His sisters needed to marry, and he was determined they all married well.
A hypocritical thing to do since he had not afforded the same courtesy to Miss Smith.
"She would not have me now, even if I wished to reconcile. I broke her heart, and she will not allow me to heal it, I fear," he admitted.
"Then I suggest you start to court a woman who appeals to you." Gage paused. "You are allowed to make mistakes in the past and be forgiven for them. I'm certain in time Lady Hervey will become a friendly acquaintance once more."
Dominic nodded but wasn't as sure. Paris seemed very cutting and angry still. Not to mention she did not need to remarry, not if she did not wish.
"Did she have any children with the earl?" he asked, drinking her in as she spoke freely with Lord Spencer.
Gage cleared his throat. "Yes, two. A daughter in their first year of marriage and then two years later a son."
Dominic ground his teeth as jealousy coursed through his blood. Two children and one an heir to keep the family line going. Two children he could have had with her had he been strong enough to refute his mother's demands. He had been so young then, new to being out in society and with a title. In truth, he did not know what he had been doing.
And now he was going to court a woman, become a scroff, a leech who married for money. Nothing but his good name keeping him and his family afloat in society.
Not that there were no families willing to marry penniless, titled gentlemen in exchange for their daughters stepping into the world of nobility and gaining a title.
But how could he face Paris if he were to marry under such circumstances? And the truth would come to pass. Society would become aware eventually of his impoverished state, and then she would hate him even more.
For he had become what he condemned her for. What he had stated so unemotionally was why he could not marry her.
What a bastard he was for treating what they felt for each other with so little respect. He would not blame her if she never spoke to him again.
He deserved no less.
Paris returned to the Duke and Duchess of Romney's side and breathed a relieved breath that she had survived her first meeting with a ghost of her past whom she had never wanted to encounter again.
