Passions of a Gentleman (Gentlemen of Honor #3) - Rose Gordon Page 0,41

at Simon’s strange expression followed by his sudden coughing fit.

“I know you think I’m charming and humorous and all of that, but your reaction is a little much, wouldn’t you say?”

Simon held up a single finger and coughed one last time. “I wasn’t laughing,” he clarified, his face a dark red. “I was choking.” He sliced a hand through the air before resuming his hold on her. “Never mind me. Let’s just say my search for my Princess Charming as you’ve termed her is just a wee bit more complicated.”

“Oh, are men who have lost their virginity considered unfashionable this Season?”

The left side of his mouth tipped down into a frown. “No, but virgins who unknowingly pursue married ladies and their mysterious half-brother’s betrothed are.”

Shame washed over her. While she’d been able to keep her own misdeed covered up, London was still buzzing about Simon’s pursuit of Lady Belgrave. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said on a sigh. “I’ve muddied these waters myself.”

“Would you care to talk about it?” She didn’t realize until she’d said those words just how much she wanted to hear his side of things. Not because she wanted some juicy gossip to share around town, but she was truly interested.

“No, I don’t wish to drive you to tedium with tales of my stupidity.”

“It might make you feel better to talk about it,” she said, running her knuckle against his chiseled jaw. “I know I feel better telling someone.” She dropped her hand back to her lap and gave him a slim smile. “I gave Lady Townson a much abbreviated version consisting of the words: I’m ruined in truth. Then let her overactive imagination fill in the details.”

A wide grin split Simon’s face. “All right, you win.” He reached one of his ungloved hands up and finding a loose tendril of her hair, wrapped it around his finger. “It all started out with the best of intentions.” He released a hollow chuckle. “Unfortunately, it ended up worse than an overturned carriage.” He shook his head. “Are you sure you want to hear this?”

Rae wiggled her bottom a little against his lap and then leaned her head against his chest. “I have the most comfortable seat I could imagine.”

“Well, I don’t,” he said under his breath.

Panic and a tinge of embarrassment shot through Rae. Did he think she was too heavy? She attempted to scurry off his lap, but his strong hands held her there.

“Stop,” he ground out. “It’s that gentleman’s curse again. But it’ll stop if you’ll stop.”

Rae searched his eyes. He didn’t appear upset and if he truly wanted her off of his lap, he’d have let her, wouldn’t he?

“In April, I met Isabelle Knight,” he began, heedless to her thoughts. “My father suggested I befriend her as she was new to London and shadowed by a scandal that would keep her from having a friend in the world—no matter how large her dowry.”

Rae settled back against him, listening to his heavy breathing.

“At first she was just an acquaintance—”

“But you always danced with her.” Rae covered her mouth with her fingers. “Sowwy,” she said against her fingers.

Simon pulled her hand away. “It’s all right. I asked you questions.” He intertwined their fingers and then lowered their hands to her lap. “My mother is as bad as Lady Townson,” he said as if that explained everything—and it did. “She was just a friend, if you could call her that—” he shrugged— “but when Giles came…”

His jaw clenched and a muscle ticked in his cheek.

“Giles is Lord Norcourt, your half-brother from your mother’s first marriage,” she said more so he wouldn’t have to. Though she, and perhaps many others in the ton, wondered if there wasn’t a little more to that story.

He nodded once. “My mother married Lord Norcourt when she was younger than you. She never spoke of either of them while I was a child only of my father—and me. When I was a wee lad I asked her if I’d ever have any brothers or sisters.” A shadow covered his face. “Her eyes grew distant and she said that she’d had one other child but he’d been born with his life’s cord wrapped around his neck…” He shook his head once. “That’s all she said and I just assumed…”

Rae’s chest constricted painfully. Though he’d told her as much the other day, it seemed different this time. He seemed different this time.

“That’s all she ever said about Giles.” He scoffed.