The Scandal in Kissing an Heir by Sophie Barnes Page B

suspicion that there’s more to it than that. They’re too insistent.” Her brow creased as she shook her head. “There’s something odd about the whole situation if you ask me.”
    The thought had occurred to Rebecca before, though she’d yet to discover if there was any merit to it. “I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve no reason to believe that they just want to be rid of me.”
    “Perhaps,” Laura agreed, though she was looking doubtful. On a deep breath, she suddenly smiled. “So, is there a young gentleman, my lady? Did you meet someone last night from whom you might expect a visit . . . or perhaps a proposal?”
    A slow smile captured Rebecca’s lips as she thought of the troublemaking rake. “There is one whose company I particularly enjoyed.”
    A squeal of excitement escaped Laura. She quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with curiosity. Removing her hand slowly, she spoke in a whisper, as if there had been others present who might overhear. “Who is he?”
    “Well . . .” Rebecca dragged out the word for dramatic effect. “His name is Mr. Neville, and he is the heir to the Marquisate of Wolvington.”
    Laura’s eyebrows shot up. “He must be a handsome devil—charming too, I’d imagine.”
    “Why do you say that?” Rebecca asked curiously.
    “Because of the way you speak his name, my lady.” When Rebecca frowned, Laura imitated the dreamy way in which she’d spoken. She chuckled as she got up from her chair and went to fetch Rebecca a cup of tea. Looking over her shoulder, she gave her mistress a knowing smile. “I believe you’re quite smitten.”
    Rebecca couldn’t lie. “I must confess that I cannot stop thinking about him, although I fear marrying him is completely out of the question—he won’t suit.”
    “And why is that?” Laura asked, returning to Rebecca’s bedside and handing her the warm cup.
    “Because he’s a rake who will never be able to offer me the happy family life I’m seeking. You would be shocked to hear of some of the things he’s done, but even if I chose to accept his faults, I doubt that Aunt and Uncle would approve—not when there’s an earl and a duke in the running.” “But if he’s an heir—”
    “You know as well as I that they won’t care about that. All they’ll see is a man who’s presently untitled and accompanied by a poor reputation.” She shook her head, feeling terribly sad that her relatives were so shallow, but they were not the only ones, as evidenced by the scowls of disapproval Mr. Neville had received from almost everyone the night before. She took a sip of her tea before sinking back against her pillow and closing her eyes. “What am I saying? I’m talking as if I expect him to call on me, which he will be unlikely to do now that he knows who I am. I’m a charlatan, Laura, and not even a very pretty one at that, which makes Mr. Neville’s interest in me so much more suspicious. No, I’ll probably end up with Topperly or . . .” She scrunched her nose. “Grover.”
    Opening her eyes, she found Laura watching her. “How many times must I tell you that you’re beautiful before you believe me?”
    Rebecca forced a smile. “My skin tone is darker than everyone else’s and I have black hair. Don’t think I’ve forgotten the way other girls mocked me when I was a child. They used to call me gypsy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them still do.”
    “If that is the case, then they’ve no idea what a gypsy looks like. You have your mother’s Spanish blood in you, that’s all. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, my lady. If anything, you should embrace how different you are from everyone else. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if this is what drew Mr. Neville to you in the first place. Besides, even if he is a rake, as you say, there’s always the possibility that he might reform,” Laura said. “The duke did.”
    Rebecca sighed. “Yes, I suppose that’s true, but he also had