An Heir of Uncertainty by Everett Alyssa

Author:Everett, Alyssa [Everett, Alyssa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2014-03-09T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

—Luke 14:28

When dinner came to an end, the gentlemen lingered only a few minutes.

“How do you drink your tea, Mr. Vaughan?” Lina asked, pouring.

“The usual way. From a cup.”

“No,” Win said calmly. “She means, would you like milk or sugar?”

“Ah. Milk, please, but no sugar.”

Lina hid a smile. She rather admired Win’s ability to take his brother’s eccentricities in affectionate stride—and, for that matter, the unruffled way in which his brother accepted his advice. As much as she loved Cassie, Lina had never had much success reining in her sister’s fancies.

When it came time for the gentlemen to go, Lina wondered if Win’s leave-taking felt as awkward to him as it did to her. Probably not. He looked as if he was accustomed to bidding adoring women goodbye.

Both she and Cassie saw the gentlemen out. “Good night,” Lina said. “Thank you for coming.”

“It was our pleasure. Thank you for having us.” Win bowed to her and then to Cassie.

Mr. Vaughan likewise bowed. “Good night. I especially liked the haddock.”

Closing the door behind them, Lina was so tired, her shoulders sagged. Though it was still early, she couldn’t wait to climb into bed.

Cassie, on the other hand, was bubbling over with enthusiasm. “Didn’t Mr. Vaughan look fine tonight? He’s even handsomer in evening clothes. And he really is terribly amusing. I’m so pleased he invited us to dinner at the abbey.”

“I believe it was actually Colonel Vaughan who invited us.”

“Even so, I’m sure he was speaking for both of them.” Cassie smiled to herself, and shot Lina a look of contrition. “I’m sorry I said what I did about you and Colonel Vaughan. I don’t know why I imagined the two of you might be developing feelings for each other. You both behaved with perfect propriety all evening.”

“Well, of course. I told you there was nothing to worry about. And as you pointed out, it’s better if we keep our distance. There’s not just the matter of the inheritance, there’s also what people might say.” Despite her words, Lina didn’t feel particularly gratified. She wondered why both she and Win had behaved with such perfect propriety. She, at least, had had Cassie’s admonition ringing in her ears, but Win...?

Was the attraction she felt entirely one-sided? Win had called her so pretty it hurts to look at you—but she’d been in his bedroom at the time. What man didn’t say exactly what a woman wanted to hear when she was mere inches from his bed?

Oh, good heavens. She was turning into her mother, obsessing over the fickle affections of a man. She had her unborn baby to think about now, and Edward’s memory to protect. What did it matter how Win felt about her? She already regretted the brief interlude they’d shared. She wasn’t going to let it happen again. And he obviously felt the same.

She only wished that kissing him hadn’t made her feel more alive than kissing poor Edward ever had.

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