Page 29 of Rogue of My Heart

“Scandalous gentlemen?” Francesca lifted a brow. “There were five, but one fell in love at the house party. He married your cousin, Adeline.”

“The Earl of Winchester?” Francesca asked. “Who are the others besides the marquess?”

“Your duke is one.” Iris grinned. “They are the unattainable gentleman. Every lady hopes to win their heart, but they have other plans, and none of them include marriage. Instead, they leave scandals in their wake.”

“Hence the nickname,” Violet said. “The other two are Viscount Goodland and Earl Hampstead. We mentioned him earlier.”

“Well, they certainly look good on their mounts,” Francesca said as she stared in their direction. “It’s a pity they’re morally corrupt.”

Matthew turned in her direction and then glanced at her. The moment he realized she was there she should have turned and gone in the opposite direction. She didn’t though. Francesca didn’t want to need him; however, she also realized a woman in her position couldn’t have the luxury of ignoring him. He motioned for his horse to walk toward her, and his friend followed. Francesca smiled. If her friend did have feelings for the marquess she hoped Violet would forgive her. She was about to flirt outrageously with him in an attempt to make Matthew jealous.

Matthew couldn’t believe his luck. He had a marriage license secured, and now his bride-to-be was in the park. He still had to learn some more about her, but he could visit a little with her. It would help him to make a decision. He hadn’t yet told Merrifield he planned to marry her or that he had a special license. He was about to tell him about his impending fatherhood, or the possibility of it when he caught sight of her. He could tell Merrifield everything later.

“Where are we going?” Merrifield asked, surprised at their detour.

“I see a lady I must speak with,” Matthew said. “It shouldn’t take long.” Cesca didn’t appear too pleased to see him, but he could change her mind. Their conversation last night hadn’t ended on a pleasant note, but he’d had time to consider everything. Matthew couldn’t let her go, and she’d know that soon enough.

He stopped when he reached Francesca and the other two ladies by her side. Matthew dismounted, the bowed. “Lady Francesca,” he greeted. “How fortuitous to find you here.”

“Is it?” she lifted a brow mocking him. “Somehow I do not find it so.”

Merrifield, who had dismounted when Matthew did, chuckled. “I do believe I like you.” He bowed. “I’m Lord Merrifield. Who might you be?”

Cesca turned toward him and tilted her lips upward into a sensuous smile that Matthew wished she had bestowed on him. Why was she looking at Merrifield that way? If she didn’t stop soon, he’d have to murder his friend. “I am Lady Francesca Kendall.” She gestured toward the other two women with her. “This is Lady Violet Keene, and her sister Lady Iris Keene. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Merrifield.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Merrifield said in a husky tone. Matthew recognized the shift in his voice. He found Cesca attractive, and at the first opportunity he would discover why that was a bad idea. “Are you enjoying your walk in the park?”

“I am,” Cesca said, focusing all her attention on Merrifield. “Would you care to walk with me?”

The hell? “He wouldn’t,” Matthew said through gritted teeth. He handed the reins to his horse to Merrifield and then turned back to her. “However, I would.” He looped her arm with his and forced her to walk with him. He left her companions and Merrifield alone. When they were some distance away, he turned his attention to her. “What games are you trying to play?”

“I’m not the one playing,” she said. “Your friend seems nice enough and more worthy of my attention.”

Cesca was still angry with him. He would have to soothe her ruffled feathers. He’d been with plenty of angry women. She was no different. “Merrifield is a rake, and you would do well to steer clear of him.” He hadn’t meant to say that. Bloody hell. What was wrong with him?

She burst into laughter. “And how is that different than you?”

“Matty?” A female said in a throaty purr. “Is that you?”

Matthew stilled. There was only one woman that had ever called him that, and he had hoped to never see her again. Slowly he turned his gaze to meet hers. “Countess Briarton,” he said in a cool tone.

“How lovely to see you.” She turned her attention to Francesca. “And who is this? A sweetheart? I thought you no longer believed in love.” Edith Whitcomb…now the dowager countess of Briarton was as beautiful, and as poisonous as Matthew remembered.

“You do not know me and never did.” He hated her and probably always would. He wanted to tell her that despite what she might believe he did not live his life to spite her; however, he couldn’t. She had ruined his life and made it impossible for him to believe in love, or that a woman might be telling the truth. It was because of her he’d been so horrid to Cesca. He owned his actions, but he couldn’t help wondering who he’d be if not for Edith. He didn’t introduce them. He didn’t want Edith’s poison to touch Cesca or their child. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we were enjoying our walk.”

“Who is she?” Cesca asked quietly.

“No one of importance,” he said quickly. “She is nothing.”

“Now who’s lying?” She shook her head. The disgust in her tone was unmistakable. “You like to claim it is me, but we both know the truth. Is she right? Are you incapable of love?”

“That is not what she said.” That evil woman was already ruining his life again. “She said she thought I no longer believed in love.”

“I see,” she said quietly. “Because you used to love her and no longer do? Or is it because she still holds a piece of your heart and you hate her for it?”

“I do not love that woman.” His tone was a bit harsh, but his feelings toward Edith were not congenial. He didn’t want Cesca to think he cared one bit for Edith. “She’s not to be trusted.”

“Like all women?” She lifted a brow. “I understand.”