APretenseofLove by Aileen Fish Read Free Book Online Page B

A large lump made swallowing difficult.
He needed a drink, the early hour be damned. He was too likely to snap off the
head of anyone who spoke to him, so he avoided the clubs.
    Instead, he turned the vehicle toward his rooms near Portman
Square. With any luck Ringley would be sleeping still, as he rarely rose before
midafternoon. In a move unlike himself, Ben required his valet to return the
phaeton to the stables. He went straight to his study and poured himself a
whisky. Downing several swallows in rapid succession, he prayed the burn would
ease his pain.
    It did nothing.
    Raking a hand through his hair, he paced behind his desk. A
wise man would pack his bags and return to the country, forgetting he’d ever
had an interest in a wife.
    Had he been a wise man, he would have known how to court Miss
Seton to ensure a successful match. He couldn’t comprehend what she disliked
about him. He was not so egotistical as to believe he had no faults, but could
think of none that would make him a poor husband.
    He continued to pace and scratch his neck, looking for
answers. Looking for peace of mind, if such a thing existed.
    The door opened and Ringley entered, rubbing his puffy eyes.
His voice resounded with the gravel of heavy sleep. “Do you not own any quieter
boots?”
    Ben threw a glare at his friend. “Shall I send for my
slippers, then?”
    “Either that or stand in one place for longer than a
minute.”
    “What has you so cross? You didn’t drink excessively last
night.”
    “My head pains me and your stomping boot heels are out to
kill me. Sit, man, please.”
    Ben ceased his pacing but continued to stand. For the moment
at least, until the frustration overtook him once more.
    Ringley dropped into a chair, throwing one leg over the arm.
“What has she done?”
    “She won’t have me.” Ben wasn’t of a mind to pretend he
didn’t know which female Ringley referred to. The man knew him too well.
    “Are you certain?” Ringley quickly ducked and raised an arm
in front of his face. “Forget I asked that. She turned you down, then?”
    “She asked me to leave Town and allow her to continue her
pursuit of a husband.”
    “Ouch. Sharper than a serpent’s tooth. I hadn’t expected
that of her.”
    “If she’d been speaking sharply it might not have hurt as
much. She was so sad. So resigned.”
    “Resigned to what?”
    “How should I know, Ringley? You have sisters, enlighten me.
I have been the ideal gentleman around her. I refrained from buying her gifts
or sweets after she complained, and have not sent her flowers in more than a
week. I have done everything she asks…”
    “And what isn’t she asking? Why is she so opposed to
your attentions?”
    “Again, you are the one with sisters. I have no inklings of
the machinations of the fairer sex.”
    Tapping a finger on his chin, Ringley sat in thought. “Tell
me all that was said this morning.”
    Ben paced again. “I don’t remember what we said. I mentioned
I would be leaving in a week, and she said it’s important to be needed. And
honest. She wants to be happy and couldn’t bear having her heart broken.”
    “I see. And what would cause her heart to break?”
    He tried to remember her words, but it seemed his heart had
begun to beat so loudly when she’d spoken, he hadn’t heard most of what she
said. Then he remembered another conversation between them. “Her mother had a
broken heart. Mr. Seton apparently admitted he’d loved another, not Mrs.
Seton.”
    “Very well, but how does that pertain to you?”
    “I don’t know. I’ve told her I have never loved. I’m not
even certain I understand how one goes about falling in love, when I only know
the kind my parents found in a marriage of long duration.”
    “Quite the romantic, aren’t you?”
    Ignoring the man, Ben continued to let his thoughts flow.
“I’ve told Miss Seton I have no intention of engaging a mistress when I marry,
so she can’t have any fear of being hurt after she’s