Read Chills for Free Online Page B

of you to offer your brother’s protection, but I doubt it will come to that.”
    “Of course he’ll look after you.”
    Puzzled, Constance stopped. “Why should he concern himself any more than he has? He is under no obligation now. He’s no longer burdened by the guardianship.”
    “While it is true he is no longer your guardian,”—Virginia cupped Constance’s cheek—“my brother is not without considerable influence. If we sponsored you for the season, other gentlemen would try to win your affections for their very own. I know you refused years ago but think of it now. With our support, you could be married before the season is over and be free of difficulties.”
    Constance couldn’t find a word to utter in response. She was already engaged to marry, at least until Cullen received her note. Given Jack’s grumbling over her choice of husband, he’d hardly be likely to help her gain another.
    “Just think, you could marry a peer and we could spend every season here in London. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Virginia continued.
    Constance held her tongue. Jack wouldn’t help her with this. He’d think it beneath him. “No. Absolutely not.”
    Virginia frowned. “I’ve never understood your aversion to marriage. Please, Pixie, let me help you find the right husband. Someone who deserves you and will cherish you for the rest of your days.”
    Constance’s heart squeezed. Cullen had promised her the very same thing, and her letter to end their engagement had already been sent. She wiped her damp eyes. “I don’t know what to say. Who’d want to marry a penniless woman?”
    Virginia caught her hand and squeezed. “Many a man would marry you to gain just a few words in Jack’s ear. You don’t yet realize how valuable your connection to our family could be.”
    “Virginia, that’s revolting. I could never condone a marriage begun on such a circumstance. Besides, your brother considers me an annoying pest to be managed.”
    Virginia chuckled. “My dear, you have more power over my brother than you realize. Just never let him discover that you know. It is unfortunate that he’s engaged already. You could have set your cap for him. He dotes on you and we could have been sisters.”
    Constance couldn’t be more shocked by the turn of their conversation. She wasn’t fit to be a marchioness. The idea was preposterous. “Your brother is a bully. I’ll never marry without affection.”
    Virginia shook her head. “Then we will find someone to love you as we do.”
    Although Virginia’s ‘we’ included Jack, he didn’t love her at all. Constance was an annoying fly buzzing into his life too soon after he’d gained his freedom from the unwanted guardianship. She’d sensed his reluctance to help yesterday. “What if there isn’t someone for me. I had thought to marry, once, but . . ” Constance couldn’t continue. Tears threatened to fall again. She’d not make a spectacle of herself in public. “Let’s return to the house.”
    “An excellent idea. We can compile a list of suitable gentlemen.”
    Constance groaned aloud.
    “Shush, Pixie. We can make a list for you to consider as a starting point,” Virginia offered. “Is there anything that you particularly want in a husband?”
    “I've never seriously considered this before.” That was a lie, but Virginia was nowhere near as good as Jack at detecting them. Constance didn’t think he had told his sister about Cullen because, so far, Virginia hadn’t brought the subject up. If she did know something, she’d want to know everything. “I always thought I would meet someone agreeable and he would propose. I have never contemplated what might make a suitable spouse.”
    “Well, tell me what you don’t like in gentlemen.”
    “Arrogance,” Constance blurted, then shook her head as the image of the Marquess of Ettington popped into her mind to illustrate the point. She couldn’t bear to be wed to a man like him.
    “What else?”