wanted to be responsible for another person and now he’d managed to saddle himself with one simply because he’d stepped up to do the honorable thing.
This was what happened when he didn’t sit idly by. No matter what he did, trouble ensued.
“Matilda is lovely,” his mother said from across the carriage.
He felt the pulse in his neck tap-tap-tapping at the mere mention of her. “Yes, she is lovely.”
“In an unconventional way, of course. I don’t suppose she could be considered truly beautiful with her freckles and teeth. But she is certainly pleasant to look upon and seems sweet of temperament. Much more so than her sister.” His mother’s facial features pinched at her mention of Melanie, Thomas’s wife.
“I’ve always thought of Tilly as beautiful.” Was she the great beauty that their mutual friend Agnes was? No, but still there was something compelling in Tilly’s unique features, and he’d always been attracted to her. That midnight admission of love she’d mistakenly given him instead of his brother had stuck with him for years. She’d been the tender age of ten and eight at the time. Her wide green eyes set in that fair face with freckles kissing every inch of her skin, her cinnamon-colored hair and her tall, lithe figure…yes, Tilly was quite beautiful.
He could not afford to think about how damned good it had felt being pressed against her in that bed, especially not while in the close confines of a carriage with his mother. Yet every time he remembered the feel of Tilly’s bottom against his hard shaft and her soft breast against his palm—
Or how her hand had reached behind and gripped his erection. He squinted and looked out the carriage window in an attempt to distract himself.
She clicked her tongue. “Your poor brother saddled with that shrew of a woman. And she cannot even bear him any children. The man is simply miserable,” his mother said.
“There are plenty of unhappy marriages in town. Thomas is not the only one.”
“I know, dear, but it doesn’t make it right. He’s such a sweet boy.”
Sullivan swallowed a groan of disgust. Thomas easily fooled people all the time with his charming smile, but Sullivan kept waiting for the day when their mother would see the truth. “Perhaps it’s time for me to take control of the books and holdings. Thomas did an admirable job in my absence, but they are my duties as viscount.”
“Oh, darling, please don’t take them from him yet. He’s so frustrated about not having an heir, and I believe these tasks keep his mind occupied.”
“Until Matilda and I are married and settled. Then I shall speak to him.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a smile.
“I have many errands to handle today, Mother, least of which is to secure a special license. I’m afraid I shall drop you off at the house and I will see you for dinner later.”
“Sullivan, you are a good man and you know I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy. I know you were saddened when Lady Agnes became betrothed. Perhaps Lady Matilda will bring you happiness.” She patted his cheek, then allowed the groom to assist her out of the carriage.
The truth was he hadn’t been saddened at all. He’d never wanted Agnes. Not that way. He’d bided his time with her, mostly to keep his mother appeased, since it looked to everyone else as if he were courting her. But he hadn’t been. She belonged with Longley. And instead he would be married to a woman he desired but who hated him fiercely. Perhaps there was justice in the world after all.
Matilda fell backward onto her bed, staring up at the canopy of fabric surrounding her.
This had always been her solace; the place she could go and forget about all her troubles. It’s where she’d gone when her favorite nanny had been sent away, all because Melanie had complained about her “harsh treatment.” It was where she went every time her parents showed their favoritism of her sister. Melanie had always been prettier, more poised, more graceful, more talented.
There’d been so many times when she’d wanted to look to Melanie for sisterly advice or approval, but time and again she’d been disappointed. Then when Tilly had foolishly chosen to share of Thomas’s interest in courting her, Melanie had gone behind her back and snared him. He wasn’t titled, but he was from a good family and had a sizable income. But as far as Tilly was concerned Melanie had done it