“Allow me to deal with your family,” Quinn repeated. “If they continue causing you distress, they will soon regret it.”
She sent him a grateful smile. “I don’t want them to suffer. I just don’t want to be a pariah to them any longer. And it would be beyond my fondest hopes if we could return to somewhat amiable terms,” Venetia said wistfully.
“Come here, love,” he commanded. Reaching for her, he drew her onto his lap and lowered his face to hers. After giving her a sweet, lingering kiss that left her short of breath, he continued to nibble at her lips, evidently set on teasing her out of her low mood. “Far from being censured, you should be awarded a halo. You saved your sister from a fate worse than death—marriage to me.”
She summoned a twisted smile. “I was mistaken on that score. Marriage to you is not worse than death.”
Quinn chuckled while Venetia brought them back to the conversation. “Ophelia was likely stricken to lose you.”
“She never had me.”
“But she showed a decided partiality for you. Understandably, she was dazzled by your seductive charm. And my parents expected her to wed you.”
“Their expectations were unfounded.”
“Were they?” Venetia queried. “From the moment Ophelia made her debut, you were very particular in your attentions to her. According to the gossip rags, you stood up with her at three balls and took her in to supper at least once.”
He feigned horror. “A shocking crime.”
“Everyone thought you were on the verge of making her an offer. I’m sure my parents hoped to see Ophelia settled at Tallis Court before the year was out.”
“They will have to be satisfied to see you established there.”
Venetia didn’t argue that she was unlikely to take up residence at the Traherne country seat, given their specific marital arrangements.
“Your parents won’t risk being ostracized,” Quinn added. “If they hope to show their faces in London, they will not only recognize you again but embrace your return to the fold.”
It was a valid threat, Venetia knew. The Earl of Traherne and his illustrious cousins in the House of Beaufort could rule London society if they wished.
“My reinstatement is not my biggest concern,” Venetia asserted. “I don’t want them to force Ophelia to marry for wealth and status. She should be able to marry for love. That was chiefly why I returned to England and sought you out.”
“Why you hunted me down, you mean.”
“I thought it was crucial to prevent your courtship—a courtship that never really existed.” Venetia heard herself sigh. “Mama is set on Ophelia marrying a title, just as she was for me, and she likely won’t be put off. I believe the loss of Ackland’s title disturbed her the most.”
“But now you have an even higher-ranking title,” Quinn pointed out. “I’ve told you before, there are major benefits to being my countess. Your new position wields a great deal of power.”
“In what respects?”
“You can now help Ophelia find a suitable match, for one thing. I can safely promise that Skye and Kate will be delighted to matchmake for your sister once the danger is over.” Quinn abruptly shook his head. “God help me, I can’t believe I am actually considering encouraging their romantic notions.”
“Would they really help Ophelia?” Venetia asked hopefully.
“Of course. You have a new family now. Unlike your relatives, we Wildes don’t turn our backs on our loved ones.”
Somehow that quiet reassurance brought sudden tears to Venetia’s eyes. She ducked her head to hide her response, not wanting to appear absurdly emotional.
Fortunately Quinn didn’t seem to notice.
“That is one unique advantage to my family,” he was saying. “We might commit more than our share of scandals, but we stick together through thick and thin. And you are a Wilde now, whether you like it or not. Now, pray excuse me while I go compose a note to your parents.”
With one final, fleeting kiss, he shifted Venetia off his lap, extricating himself from their embrace, and stood.
Venetia watched him go with a chaotic mix of emotions whirling inside her.
You are a Wilde now. Strange how comforting those words sounded.
She wanted to believe them, too. Even if her marriage to Quinn was not on solid or permanent footing. Even if in the near future she would live her own life separate and apart from his.