“None of your affair.” The dowager rapped Aurora’s knuckles with her fan. “Don’t be impertinent. Now let us discuss Mr. Charles Worthington.”
Aurora turned back to the dancing. Better not to face the dowager after such a question. “What of him? Worthington is a friend of the family. My brother’s business partner. He taught me cards and bowls.”
And pleasure. A great deal of it.
“The color on your cheeks at the mention of his name suggests a deeper acquaintance though you attempt to hide it.” She sighed. “I would caution you, Aurora, that Worth is aconfirmedbachelor, one with a somewhat poor reputation.”
“You mean he’s a rake. I am aware. Who could not be?” Aurora’s fingers curled into her skirts thinking of the way Lady Bryant had so boldly followed him.
“Not an entirely terrible one,” her voice softened. “But his intentions toward you,” she held up a hand before Aurora could protest, “could not possibly be honorable.”
“What would cause you to say so?” Aurora spun about. “He’s always behaved in an honorable fashion toward me,” she lied.
“Cecily Millstone,” the dowager intoned. “They were to wed, Cecily and Worthington. You were all still at Dunnings,” her lips tightened, “when the scandal broke. Worthington behaved like a cad. Ending the betrothal without explanation. Humiliating Cecily. He took up with a string of women. Cecily’s father was furious at the slight done his family and nearly called Worthington out. There were rumors, you see, that Worthington had already ruined her.”
Aurora swallowed down the lump in her throat. “How terrible.”
“Not the actions of an honorable gentleman, Aurora. I do not wish you to endure the same fate.”
“You need not worry, Your Grace.” Her mind reeled from the dowager’s words. Worth was an unrepentant bachelor. He’d never disagreed when Aurora claimed he’d be a terrible husband.
“Cecily eventually wed a marquess. She was beautiful enough that her future husband chose to overlook the fact she was,” the dowager leaned forward, “damaged goods. You do not wish to be damaged goods, Aurora.”
“I don’t think any young lady would wish such a thing, Your Grace.”
Aurora kept trying to believe Worth was more than a rake. That he cared for her. And she supposed he did, on some level. He had warned her away, more than once. But in her heart, Aurora hoped—
He’d offer for me.
Now, after hearing about Cecily Millstone, Aurora knew how truly foolish she’d been. There had never been any chance of Worth deciding differently. Hadn’t she known it? Wasn’t that why she’d ended things with him? Her heartandbody had been compromised. And yes, had things continued, Aurora would have allowed him to ruin her.
I would have begged him to do so.
And that bloody confusing kiss at Tate’s? Just another example of his flirtatious behavior. For all Aurora knew, he followed Lady Bryant home immediately after. And even after all of that, knowing well what their relationship truly was, Aurorastillallowed that tiny seed of hope inside her to flourish.
“I fear I’ve distressed you,” the dowager said quietly.
“Not at all, Your Grace. I am not blind to Worthington’s faults. Nor have I mistaken his kindness to me as anything other than mild affection. The sort one has for a friend’s younger sister. He would make a terrible husband. When Drew was wed, Worth declared quite adamantly that he never wished the same for himself.”
Aurora’s heart tightened painfully.
“I’m glad to hear it.” The dowager took her hand. “Though I grant you, Worthington is splendid. More than enough to turn a young lady’s head. Now, let us discuss Mr. Healey.”
“Mr. Healey.” Aurora didn’t want to think about him at present. Healey would one day be an earl. He was solid. A bit priggish, but Aurora could fix that. Most importantly, she andHealey had a great deal in common. Mostly books, but she felt safe in assuming there would be other things if she took the time to look. And while Healey didn’t inspire Aurora in exactly the same manner as Worth, she thought with enough kissing and direction, he would.
“Mr. Healey comes from good family. He’s smitten with you. Healey will be stalwart and loyal I think. You could do worse.”
There was the matter of his dislike of Aunt Lottie, but perhaps she had misinterpreted his actions. Maybe it was merely a case of him being overly protective of Kenebruke. If she ended up wed to Healey he would have to accept Aunt Lottie’s relationship with his uncle because Aurora would insist upon it.
“I will consider his proposal when it is offered.”
“Good.” The dowager waved her hand. “Because he approaches.”
Aurora composed her features, shutting away the anger at Worth and the pain of her misguided heart, and smiled at Mr. Healey.
Chapter Twenty-One
Charles ducked intothe room put aside for cards, sliding about the tables, nodding to those he knew. He’d caught sight of Hildie dogging his steps as he made his way down the hall. Rotten luck to be spotted by her and Lady Longwood the second he entered the ballroom. He had an urgent need to speak to Aurora, particularly after what happened at Tate’s, though Charles had no idea what he’d say. Only that things were not finished between them.
