APretenseofLove by Aileen Fish Read Free Book Online

and should he wish to marry someday he’ll
not have enough to keep two homes. I had begun to enquire about a position but
when Mr. Tilbury came to me with his proposition…well, I confess, I thought it
was an answer to my prayers. He has been more than generous, embarrassingly so,
and I’m not quite sure how to ask him to please not spend any more money on my
account.”
    Mrs. Granderson pursed her lips and shook her head. “You
don’t know him as I do, so of course you wouldn’t see it, but the young man is
quite taken with you.”
    “I—but he’s not—it’s merely—”
    Mama gave Jean a look like a cat that’d discovered a bowl of
custard. “I thought so too, Araminta, but I couldn’t speak to you about it
without breaking their confidence.” She seemed quite pleased with the news
Gil’s letter carried.
    Jean frowned. “As I told him, he is not taken with me. He
simply discovered he enjoyed the companionship Mama and I offered. He would be
equally pleased with whatever woman he took as his wife.”
    Mama laughed, making Jean glare in her direction. “If you
knew him as I do, you’d see it’s so,” Jean explained.
    “This from the girl who has recited poems of love and romance
since she was old enough to understand the inflections. Dear, he has formed an
attachment with you. Is that so hard to accept? Are your feelings for Lord
Milford so strong you feel nothing for Mr. Tilbury?”
    “I—” Her protest died on her lips. Her mother and Mrs.
Granderson knew enough about love to see through most of the arguments she’d
given herself. “Mr. Tilbury is a kind sort of man, I’m learning, which
surprised me to find in one who would consider fooling his grandfather on his
deathbed. He is generous enough with supplying what I needed for a London
Season, but does that mean he will be equally so with his heart?”
    “I can say this for him,” Mrs. Granderson said. “He never
gives up on any undertaking he begins. I’ve never known him to not be
successful in getting what he wants.”
    Mama reached for Gil’s letter, folding it away in her
pocket. “I believe you need to determine exactly what you want, Jean, so you’ll
know how to respond when he speaks to you.”
    Jean took her letters and fled the room as gracefully as she
could. They didn’t realize he’d already spoken to her and she’d turned him
down. More than once, in a manner of speaking.
    Such a vexing man. His nerve, to write Gilbert without
asking her if she would consider his proposal. That was not part of their
agreement.
    Had she ever really rejected him? She continued to walk out
with him and accept rides in his phaeton, which she would never admit she
enjoyed greatly. Especially when he took them away from the traffic where he
could give the horses their heads. There was something so exhilarating in
driving so fast.
    She’d asked him not to buy her treats, yet she’d refused
none of them. He’d even managed to buy an occasional gift, claiming he was
replacing something lost or damaged during her stay in Greater Yarmouth. It was
all highly improper and she should have put an end to it. If she continued to
allow such indiscretions, she was little better than a Cyprian who offered her
body in exchange for coin.
    Mr. Tilbury could not buy her body or her heart.
    When he arrived later, she would tell him not call on her
again. She would tell her mother and Mrs. Granderson of her decision so they
didn’t continue to encourage the match. No matter how much she enjoyed his company,
the fact remained there was nothing to stop him from acquiring another mistress
at any time after their marriage. And that would surely devastate Jean.
    * * * * *
    Ben nearly bounded through the entryway of his aunt’s
townhouse. Miss Seton seemed to be softening in her opinions of him, if her
behavior at the ball last night was any indication. He should be able to
conclude his business here in London and return home soon.
    He peered into the morning room