The Unexpected Heiress

by Kaitlin O’Riley

  Simon laughed readily. “I can only imagine what my brother says about me!”

  Lady Katherine shook her head. “Phillip adores you.”

  Meredith tried to catch Phillip’s eye, but he would not look at her. It was as if she wasn’t there at all. He seemed like a complete stranger. It was odd to be so near to him, but not be seen by him. Especially after all that had happened between them that afternoon.

  Ignoring his family, Lady Katherine Vickers turned her golden gaze upon Meredith.

  “You’re that oil heiress from New York worth millions, aren’t you?”

  Startled by the blunt question, Meredith tried to stand a little straighter and answered, “Yes.” She hated having to continue the lie.

  “When are you returning to New York, Miss Remington?”

  “I’m not sure that I am returning to New York anytime soon.”

  The gorgeous woman seemed surprised by Meredith’s response. “So you are staying in London permanently then?”

  “Yes. I have family here.”

  “How lovely,” Lady Katherine Vickers said, but her tone said the opposite.

  “Excuse me”—the Duke of Rathmore interrupted them with a smile—“but Miss Remington has promised this dance to me.”

  Before Meredith could question what he was doing, Phillip’s uncle was expertly leading her out to the dance floor. He grinned at her conspiratorially as he did so.

  “I thought it might be best for us to make an escape before things became even more awkward over there,” he said in a low voice.

  “How did you know?” she asked, filled with blessed relief at the unexpected reprieve.

  “It’s written all over your face that you wanted to flee that situation with Phillip and that woman.” He smiled at her in understanding.

  “Thank you for rescuing me, Your Grace.”

  “It is my pleasure. Besides, I wanted to escape, too, if we’re being completely honest with each other.”

  They took their places on the floor. The music began and they waltzed smoothly together. The Duke of Rathmore was an elegant dancer, and he was quite good looking, for an older gentleman. Meredith liked him instantly.

  “Also, I wanted a chance to talk with you,” he said. “I wanted to get to know you a little. You’ve caused quite a stir, Miss Remington.”

  “Have I? With whom?” she asked, intrigued by his words.

  “You’ve caused a stir because the word is out that you’ve caught the Duke of Havenfield’s attention, and everyone knows he’s looking for a new wife. That in and of itself is big news in this town, especially since you’ve only been here a few weeks. An American oil heiress, especially one as beautiful as you are, is bound to make a splash. But even more importantly than any of that, you’ve caused a stir within my family. I take a great interest in what goes on with my nieces and nephews.”

  Meredith smiled at him. “I can see that you do.”

  He whispered in a charmingly roguish way, “I’m the favorite uncle, you know.”

  “I can’t imagine why,” she retorted teasingly.

  “It’s true. Trust me,” the Duke of Rathmore said with a wink. “I’ve heard that you’re a writer and that my sister-in-law has taken you under her wing. She is very impressed with you and tells me you are quite talented.”

  “Thank you. She is very kind to have said so.”

  Meredith was beginning to wonder where this conversation was going. She was still recovering from how coldly Phillip had treated her. He basically ignored her a few moments ago, leaving her feeling hurt and confused. Looking over the duke’s shoulder, she could still see him standing there with his parents, while Lady Katherine Vickers stood by his side. A deep pain flared in her chest.

  She suddenly glanced back up at the Duke of Rathmore. “You swept me away on purpose, didn’t you?”

  “Guilty as charged, Miss Remington.”

  “Why?”

  “I told you. You looked like you needed to get away, and I wanted to get to know you better.”

  She gave him a pointed look.

  The Duke of Rathmore spoke again. “Not only have you caught Colette’s attention, but it seems you’ve also caught Phillip’s. And his attention is very difficult to catch.”

  Meredith scoffed. “Not that difficult, apparently. Phillip seems quite content with Lady Katherine Vickers. His interest in me is, if he has any, is . . . purely . . .”

  She faltered, unsure what to say. What was his interest in her exactly? One minute he was buying her extravagant gifts, paying her compliments, and kissing her passionately, and the next he was ignoring her. Meredith didn’t know what to think anymore.

  “Phillip has no interest in me at all,” she managed to murmur.

  “I’m going to tell you something in confidence, Miss Remington.” He paused. “Phillip doesn’t know what he wants. He only knows that he doesn’t like to be told what to do. Right now, his parents are telling him to stay away from Lady Katherine Vickers, therefore . . .”

  “He’s going to flaunt her in front of them to prove he can do as he likes,” she answered, beginning to understand.

  “Exactly. You’re a very intelligent young woman. I like you more and more.”

  “Thank you, but I still don’t know why you’re telling me any of this,” she said as the music came to a stop.

  The Duke of Rathmore carefully escorted her from the crowded dance floor.

  “Because I think the two of you have feelings for each other but haven’t acknowledged them yet. I watched you both a few moments ago, and I can see what neither of you can. Now I understand that you are an extremely wealthy woman and can have your choice of admirers, but you are so young, Miss Remington. Think carefully before you accept a proposal from someone. Anyone. A great many gentlemen are motivated by money. Even those you least suspect.”

  Meredith should have been taken aback by the Duke of Rathmore’s words, but for some inexplicable reason, she wasn’t. She appreciated his fatherly advice, especially since her own father wasn’t there to guide her anymore. But she was also beset with guilt.

  Everyone believed her to be a wealthy heiress. It was such a terrible lie. She longed to stand in the middle of the ballroom and scream out the truth, but she hadn’t the courage.

  With their dance over, the Duke of Rathmore walked her over to where her aunt Delilah stood watching expectantly.

  Meredith said, “Thank you very much, Your Grace. For the dance, and your advice.”

  “It’s been my pleasure, Miss Remington. If you need my assistance at all, please don’t hesitate to seek me out. I am at your service.”

  Meredith introduced the Duke of Rathmore to her aunt, who almost burst with excitement. After he left them, Aunt Delilah gave a little squeal of joy.

  “My goodness, Meredith! You danced with not one, but two dukes this evening! Not many girls can say that!”

  Meredith hadn’t considered her evening as much of a success as her aunt had.

  Aunt Delilah continued, “I was watching you, and you certainly seem very chummy with the Duke of Rathmore’s family.”

  “They have been very kind to me. They own the bookshop that I’ve been visiting. That’s where I befriended the Marchioness of Stancliff.”

  Delilah straightened the front of Meredith’s iridescent blue gown and then patted down an errant lock of hair on her head.

  “That’s all well and good to be friends with that family, but don’t lose sight of Havenfield. He’s the big catch. You’ve hardly spent any time with him this evening. His nose will be out of joint if you don’t make it up to him.”

  “What should I do?” she asked distractedly.

  Her mind was full of all the information she’d gleaned about Phillip this evening. Between dancing with his brother and his uncle, it seemed his family was under the impression that Phillip was smitten with her.

  And if that was the case . . . Meredith’s heart soared. It changed everything.

  “Say some
thing pleasing to the duke, Meredith. Flirt a little. Make him feel like a man. If you made half an effort with him, he would have proposed to you by now. He’s infatuated with you, but you barely acknowledge him.”

  “Maybe that’s why he’s interested in me?” she asked.

  Aunt Delilah tilted her head to the side, considering this fact. “Hmmm . . . perhaps you’re right about that. You are more of a flirt than I give you credit for, my dear. But the duke will lose interest in you completely if you act too coolly toward him. I know he’s over in the refreshments area right now. Go to him, Meredith.”

  “Yes, Aunt Delilah.”

  As Meredith made her way through the crowded ballroom, she tried to see across to where the Sinclairs were standing. She assumed the little gathering had broken up, because none of them were there now. She glanced around hoping to catch sight of Phillip but was only disappointed.

  When she arrived at the refreshments area, she saw the Duke of Havenfield deeply engaged in a conversation with a group of older men. Aunt Delilah had instructed her to seek him out, but Meredith simply could not do it.

  Instead she kept walking, right past the refreshments and out the door into the corridor. If caught, her intention was to say she was heading to the ladies’ withdrawing room. The crowd was much thinner as she moved farther from the ballroom, and she found she could breathe easier. Perhaps she would get a bit of fresh air before she returned to face Havenfield at the refreshments.

  She didn’t want to talk to the duke or dance with him again. So how could she be expected to marry him? She wished she could run away and just live her own life! Too many feelings welled within her—feelings for Phillip Sinclair.

  Meredith continued down the long corridor of Lady Abbott’s townhouse. It was quieter and devoid of guests, and she was grateful for the moment of peace. She would turn around and head back to the ballroom soon enough.

  Just before coming upon a large portrait gallery, she was suddenly pulled into an alcove by a pair of strong arms.

  Meredith was about to let out a scream, but then she saw just who had drawn her into his warm embrace.

  “Phillip!” she cried in delighted surprise.

  15

  Mum’s the Word

  Phillip couldn’t help it. He had to talk to her.

  He felt like an idiot for how he treated her in front of Lady Katherine. He ducked out of the ballroom after that uncomfortable encounter with his parents, and left Katherine in the card room. He had expected his parents to be cool to Katherine, and they’d surprised him by being perfectly nice to her. They were supposed to put their feet down and demand that he not marry Katherine, not smile and nod graciously.

  Now he feared they would bless the union, and then he would be in a great mess. That was when he went to walk the corridor just to clear his head.

  So much had happened that day. It was as if his whole world had turned upside down. He didn’t even know what he was doing anymore.

  It was at that moment Meredith Remington walked by.

  She looked so lovely in her iridescent blue gown, which made her eyes appear even bluer. Without thinking, he reached out and pulled her into the alcove where he’d been standing.

  He feared she’d be angry with him, but the smile that lit up her pretty face when she recognized him and the way she’d called his name made his heart turn over.

  “Merry, please forgive me. I’m terribly sorry for treating you badly. I didn’t mean to ignore you. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  Without a single word, Meredith stood on her tiptoes, leaned up, and kissed him, her arms reaching around his neck.

  For a split second, Phillip was utterly lost. And then he kissed her back.

  She was eager and warm, and it was even better than their kiss that afternoon. It was wild and unexpected and completely delectable. He held her close, his tongue entering her sweet mouth.

  The passion between them ignited like a fuse, the air around them heating up with intensity. Phillip had never felt this way about a kiss before. About a woman before.

  He couldn’t seem to stay away from Meredith Remington, no matter how hard he tried.

  He could easily drown in her. The softness of her. The warmth of her. The utter essence of her. Those pouty lips of hers . . . he couldn’t get enough of them. He couldn’t get enough of her. She smelled of vanilla and flowers. He shouldn’t be kissing her. He shouldn’t be holding her close to his heart, shouldn’t be running his hands down the length of her body, and shouldn’t be wanting to cup her firm breasts in his hands.

  But he did, and she moaned into his mouth and leaned closer against him as he caressed her, running his hand along her sweet curves.

  There was a strong connection to her that terrified him. What was it about her that drew him to her in this way? Why did he long to touch her and kiss her and simply be in her presence? Why was this woman constantly in his thoughts?

  Even when he didn’t wish to think about her.

  Meredith Remington was all wrong for him. She was the kind of girl a man married, and he didn’t want to get married yet. He didn’t want the responsibility of a wife and a family for years yet. He wanted to have fun. He wanted to be his own man and live his own life. He wanted to spend time with his friends and travel the world. He wanted to spend time with lots of beautiful women.

  Yet no woman was as beautiful as the one he held in his arms right now.

  He knew he should release her. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. He had no right to be kissing her so thoroughly, but heaven help him, he could not let her go. She was too tempting, too willing, and too hungry for the same thing he wanted.

  Their kiss deepened, if such a thing was possible. Their tongues entwined and they clung to each other. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her. The more he kissed her, the more he wanted to kiss her, and the more he wanted from her.

  He could kiss her all night and still want more. She fit so perfectly within his arms and her curvy little body made him want to remove her clothes and feel her naked body against his. He longed to touch her bare skin, instinctively knowing she would be impossibly soft and smooth. He wanted to reach up and remove the pins from her silky chestnut hair and run his fingers through it as it fell in waves around her shoulders.

  His hands encircled her waist and slid over her hips, pulling her closer to him. She moaned softly and he almost went mad with desire for her. He wanted Meredith more than he’d ever wanted any woman.

  It scared him to death, yet he simply couldn’t stay away from her.

  Every part of his brain screamed at him to end this wild kiss. It would only lead him down a path he was reluctant to go. But she was too irresistible, too tempting, to let go.

  To his surprise, it was Meredith who had the strength to end the kiss first. Bracing her arms on his chest, she pushed away from him. With her breathing erratic, she looked up at him with a stunned and impassioned expression.

  “Phillip,” she murmured his name on an anguished breath. “We must stop now.”

  “I know,” he said. “I know.”

  But he pulled her closer, allowing her to rest her head against his chest while he stroked her back with his hands. He just held her for a moment so they could both collect their thoughts. The strangest sense of peace drifted over him as he held Meredith in his arms. It was the same sensation he’d felt when he was with her earlier that day, just talking with her about her book.

  Even though she was the one who had initiated the kiss, he was still entirely to blame for where they were now. He never should have let her kiss him. He never should have pulled her into this alcove in the first place.

  After a few more moments had passed, she pushed away from him.

  “I must go.”

  He knew she was right. At any moment someone could come walking down the corridor and discover the two of them together, locked in an embrace. Her reputation would be ruined. And he would be forced to marry her. The thought of being forced
to marry anyone, even someone as lovely as Meredith Remington, made him feel suffocated.

  As loath as he was to let her go, he took a step backward.

  “I don’t know what I’m doing, Merry,” he said in a voice so hoarse he barely recognized it as his own.

  “I don’t either,” she murmured, “but this was my fault.”

  She looked up at him, her wide eyes filled with an emotion he could not identify. Sadness? Regret? Longing? It was more than that though. He could read so much in her expression, but he just didn’t understand what she was saying.

  “Don’t say that it was your fault,” he protested. “You’ve done nothing—”

  But before he could finish his sentence, she said, “No. It’s my fault. I’m sorry I kissed you like that.”

  She turned and fled from the protection of their little alcove.

  * * *

  Lady Katherine Vickers was quite irritated.

  Where had Phillip gone?

  She had been looking for him everywhere. He’d escorted her into the card room after that odd little meeting with his family, and then he had disappeared on her. She had checked the ballroom and the refreshments area, and he wasn’t there either.

  She stalked down the long corridor in her golden gown, growing more upset by the minute. Had he left without her? She’d be furious with him if he had!

  What was wrong with him?

  Phillip had acted so strangely with her that afternoon.

  He’d arrived at her townhouse unannounced and kissed her like it was his last day on earth. Not that she had minded at all, for she’d been so thrilled to see him too! Hoping he would stay longer, she was stunned when he’d abruptly left without a word of explanation. Devastated, she thought she had done something to offend him, but for the life of her she couldn’t figure out what it was.

  Her relationship with Phillip Sinclair had taken her utterly by surprise.

  They had started off together as a lark. He was charming, amusing, and handsome, and had been her adorable little plaything. After her horrid marriage to Lord Vickers, she deserved to have a little fun. And Phillip had fit the bill perfectly.