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Tricia crossed her arms and took a step away from Thomas. “I’m absolutely fine. I just needed to get away.”
He nodded. He would press her no further. He had needed to get away himself, but as the host of this dreaded ball, he was not afforded that luxury. Though he’d nonetheless found himself on the fourth floor with Tricia earlier.
“It’s no hardship for me to escort you, Tricia.”
She turned back to face him. “Then could you at least be honest with me about something?”
“That depends on what it is.”
She cocked her head. “Would you truly have married me?”
“Without a doubt. I’m a man of honor.”
“But a man of honor would not nearly have taken an untried woman of nineteen years to his bed this evening.”
“Need I remind you, Tricia, that you begged me to do so.”
“Only after you said you wanted it.”
Was she serious? But she was right. As a gentleman, he had to take responsibility for his actions.
“I was abominably out of line, my lady. As I’ve told you before, I apologize profusely.”
“Tell me something, then.”
“What?”
Tricia turned away from him for a moment, breathed in the fresh night air. Then she turned back to him. “Do you plan to take a wife this season?”
He strove to keep his face noncommittal. “I plan to do my duty.”
She took another step toward him. “And what exactly is that, Thomas?”
“I’m now the head of the Ashford estate. I have no brothers. If something happens to me, the estate will pass to a male relative. I can’t let that happen, so I must produce an heir.”
“What happens if you don’t?”
“Just what I said. The earldom shall pass to Jonathan.”
“Mr. Jameson?”
“Yes, my cousin. His father is my father’s—or should I say was my father’s—younger brother.”
“I see. It’s like my grandfather’s marquessate. If he hadn’t found my brother, his true heir, it would have passed to that cousin of his whom he despises.”
“It may have,” Thomas said. “I’m unaware of all the details of that case.”
“So if you do not produce a son…”
“Then once I cease to exist, the earldom will go to Jonathan.”
“This is interesting,” Tricia said.
“Is it?” He let out a small chuckle. “Truthfully, I find it all frightfully boring. Don’t get me wrong. I hold high respect for my earldom. Though I’m probably not quite as conventional as my father was. But there is so much responsibility involved, as I’m sure your brother is also finding out.”
“Yes, indeed, although Grandfather—even after four years, it still seems strange calling him that—still takes care of most everything.”
“Yes, Cameron is probably still being groomed. But you must understand. My preparation began as soon as I could walk and talk.”
