Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“For all they know, you’re taking me out here to ruin me,” Tricia said softly though sarcastically.
“That is not their concern,” Thomas said. “I’m the head of the estate, and they dare not say a word to me about anything.”
Tricia rolled her eyes, and God, she looked beautiful. He was having very impure thoughts about her.
“Truly, I shall be fine,” Tricia said. “You needn’t escort me anywhere. I only wish a breath of fresh air.”
“You disappeared from the ballroom for quite some time,” Thomas said. “Is everything all right?”
Tricia crossed her arms and took a step away from Thomas. “I’m absolutely fine. I just needed to get away.”
He nodded. He would press her no further. He had needed to get away himself, but as the host of this dreaded ball, he was not afforded that luxury. Though he’d nonetheless found himself on the fourth floor with Tricia earlier.
“It’s no hardship for me to escort you, Tricia.”
She turned back to face him. “Then could you at least be honest with me about something?”
“That depends on what it is.”
She cocked her head. “Would you truly have married me?”
“Without a doubt. I’m a man of honor.”
“But a man of honor would not nearly have taken an untried woman of nineteen years to his bed this evening.”
“Need I remind you, Tricia, that you begged me to do so.”
“Only after you said you wanted it.”
Was she serious? But she was right. As a gentleman, he had to take responsibility for his actions.
“I was abominably out of line, my lady. As I’ve told you before, I apologize profusely.”
“Tell me something, then.”
“What?”
Tricia turned away from him for a moment, breathed in the fresh night air. Then she turned back to him. “Do you plan to take a wife this season?”
He strove to keep his face noncommittal. “I plan to do my duty.”
She took another step toward him. “And what exactly is that, Thomas?”
“I’m now the head of the Ashford estate. I have no brothers. If something happens to me, the estate will pass to a male relative. I can’t let that happen, so I must produce an heir.”
“What happens if you don’t?”
“Just what I said. The earldom shall pass to Jonathan.”
“Mr. Jameson?”
“Yes, my cousin. His father is my father’s—or should I say was my father’s—younger brother.”
“I see. It’s like my grandfather’s marquessate. If he hadn’t found my brother, his true heir, it would have passed to that cousin of his whom he despises.”
“It may have,” Thomas said. “I’m unaware of all the details of that case.”
“So if you do not produce a son…”
“Then once I cease to exist, the earldom will go to Jonathan.”
“This is interesting,” Tricia said.
“Is it?” He let out a small chuckle. “Truthfully, I find it all frightfully boring. Don’t get me wrong. I hold high respect for my earldom. Though I’m probably not quite as conventional as my father was. But there is so much responsibility involved, as I’m sure your brother is also finding out.”
“Yes, indeed, although Grandfather—even after four years, it still seems strange calling him that—still takes care of most everything.”
“Yes, Cameron is probably still being groomed. But you must understand. My preparation began as soon as I could walk and talk.”
Tricia’s beautiful mouth curved down into a frown. “That’s so sad.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Were you denied a childhood?”
Thomas couldn’t help another chuckle. “I had a lovely childhood, as I don’t know anything else. Was I allowed to run around the countryside, do the things little boys do? Not usually. My studies were quite important, and once I could read and write, my father began to teach me the ways of the earldom. But I also learned to ride, and I’m a damned good horseman if I do say so myself. I learned to hunt, and once I was of age, my father took me to gentlemen’s clubs.”
“All of that is fine and well, Thomas, but when did you play?”
Thomas scratched his chin. “On rare occasions. I played up on the fourth floor. Or out-of-doors, weather permitting. But I was—for all intents and purposes—an only child. Lily and Rose were quite a bit younger than I, and they were girls.”
Tricia’s forehead wrinkled. “That’s just the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Thomas shook his head. “There’s nothing sad about it, Tricia. It’s the way of an heir. When I have an heir, his life will be the same.”
Tricia scoffed. “Not if I have anything to say about that.”
Thomas stopped his jaw from dropping.
There was no reason to be so surprised. After all, had he taken her to bed earlier, he would’ve married her. Eventually there would be a child, the upbringing of whom Tricia would surely play a part in.
And in that moment, Thomas could think of nothing he wanted more.
He didn’t fancy himself in love. He wasn’t sure what love was.