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Robert was thinking of Becca as he walked along Central Park’s East Drive, but was still surprised to find her sitting on a bench in front of him. It was at a curve in the path, in front of a small garden of flowers. She was alone except for the strangers passing her on the walkway. As he approached, he couldn’t help but notice the darkened expression on her beautiful face. There was even a small wrinkle between her eyes.
“Ms. O’Hare?” Robert said, approaching carefully in case his company was unwanted.
She turned to look at him, blinking rapidly as if she had forgotten where she was. Those big blue orbs glittered in the sunlight beneath the dark dusting of her lashes. There was a slight pink tint to her creamy cheeks, and he wondered how long she had been sitting there.
“Ms. O’Hare?” Robert repeated, giving her a moment to gather her thoughts.
“Robert,” she said, shaking her head slightly. “I think we know each other well enough to use our given names. I was there for your first day of school.”
Robert felt his chest tighten at the reminder of how many moments he had shared with this woman. He knew she was trying to imply they were like family, but those were not the feelings he had for her.
“Of course, Becca. I just didn’t know if you remembered.”
She gave him a weary smile. “How could I forget? You were always looking for ways to annoy to me.”
“I haven’t changed that much.”
He gave her a smile and was rewarded when she giggled.
“I suppose you have only changed on the outside.”
Robert preened, knowing she had noticed the changes in his appearance. Woman had been gushing on it for weeks, ever since he returned to the city. Becca’s subtle acknowledgement felt better than all the elaborate compliments.
“It was the fresh country air,” he said. “Made me grow over two feet in one summer.”
“That isn’t the only difference.”
He noticed her eyes seemed to linger over the width of his shoulders, barely contained within his tight jacket. Finding clothes that fit him after he developed a worker’s muscles was difficult. He wondered if it was because most gentlemen did very little physical labor.
“Does it make me stand out?”
“You always did.”
He didn’t know if that was a compliment or not, but she smiling as she said it.
“Why are you sitting here alone?” he asked, looking around to see if he might have missed who she was keeping company with.
“I wanted a little peace and quiet.”
That was an unusual answer. He felt his eyebrows go up in an unasked question.
“My parents have decided that I should end my mourning period early and go in pursuit of a husband this during the season.”
That gave hm a chill. “Brandon has only been gone six months. You deserve at least a year.”
“I would agree, but my parents are worried about my age.”
“You are barely six and twenty.”
Becca was only three years his senior, while being two years younger than Brandon. She still had a young and fresh appearance that would be appealing to any man.
“In their mind that is getting too close to being on the shelf. They are pushing me to get back out on the market for a husband.”
Robert should have expected this. Becca was their only child, and the O’Hares had always held high hopes for her marriage.
“They expect me to find another man to marry.”
“That would not be difficult for you.”
“I don’t know if I can love again.”
He heard the catch in his voice as she spoke and he felt a pang of regret in chest. He knew that she had loved his brother deeply.
“Love is not always required. You might be able to find someone you can tolerate enough to be married.”
“So I can enjoy the marriage my parents have?”
“There are worse relationships.”
“There are also better. Your parents are deeply in love.”
“They are...unusual.”
He said that with a bit of a grin and caught her smiling back at him. Everyone knew how deeply in the love the Donovans were. It was almost to the point of embarrassment. Still, Robert had often envied his parents their happiness.
“I find that I am becoming a bit unusual myself. I no longer seem content with a marriage based on money and family name alone. I’m afraid your brother has spoiled me by showing me what love is.”
When she said that, Robert had to force his face not to flinch. Brandon had not loved her properly or he would never have left. Robert would never have done that. Becca was not the type of woman to run from. He knew better than to speak those words out loud.
“You don’t know that you won’t find that again. You weren’t expecting it the first time. How can you know, if you don’t go for a look?”
“You are on the side of my parents now?”
She said that in a wry tone. Robert had his own reasons for encouraging her to come out of mourning. He wouldn’t be able to impress her if she was hiding at home. He needed the chance to charm her if he was going to make her fall in love with him. That was the first step in his plot for revenge.
“I just hate to see you wasting away in your grief. My brother was gone long before they found his shipwreck. You shouldn’t continue putting your life aside for him any longer.”
“I didn’t....”
“We both know you did.”
She looked up at him, with those big blue eyes, and for a moment he forgot that he hated her. He felt those familiar stirring of affection and he had to push them away. He reminded himself that she had never wanted those feeling from him.
“You are still... a beautiful woman. You deserve to find a man who appreciates that.”
He had to be careful about what he said, so that she didn’t think he was being too forward again. It was important that he be able to approach her subtly, until he won her over. Then he could show her what she had turned away when she rejected him and make her regret that choice.
“I don’t know if I can go out into society again. I was barely out when your brother proposed, so I didn’t get very much practice.”
“You will be welcomed.” Becca was a charming woman without even trying. “People are waiting for you to join. You will be swimming in invitations.”
“I must admit, I do sometimes miss the company. It gets very quiet in my house.”
That was most likely because her parents were seldom home, in their efforts to avoid each other.
“It might be a great deal of fun.” Robert used the tone he had perfected in business to convince his partners. “You always loved the theaters and dancing. There are so many wonderful things you could enjoy.”
“While I hunt for a husband...”
“You don’t have to think about that. If you are attending these events, the potential husbands will offer themselves to you.”
That made her laugh. The bubbly sound tickled his ears, and he could feel the blush on his cheeks. He turned away before she could see it.
“You flatter me far too much, but I appreciate it. I only wish I could have that kind of confidence at every event.”
“You could....”
He turned back around to look at her and saw her confused expression.
“You might need a friend to keep you company. I could be that friend.”
“You want to spend your evenings at balls full of marriage-minded ladies? You don’t think you will find that boring?”
“No.” Robert decided to close the distance between them and sit beside her on the bench. He was grateful to see she move over to make room for him. “I am wanting to make some business connections this season. These kinds of events might be a good way to meet the father’s, by courting the daughters.”
“You are looking to get married?”
Robert could see her confusion.
“I am in need of a wife. It would make it easier to conduct my business.”
She chuckled. “I don’t think you understand the way of marriage. It is not easy.”
Robert shrugged. He had enough experience with woman now to feel confident he could handle a wife.
“You didn’t find anyone you fancied in Kansas?” Becca asked. “You were there for years.”
“Yes, but I always wanted to return to the city. I knew I would need a wife who was more comfortable in this sort of society.”
“So you found no one while you were there?”
He looked at her face. The smooth, creamy skin of her cheeks showed only a hint of pink. The dark lashes above her blue eyes fluttered. He wondered if she wanted the truth or was only being polite.
“I gained a lot of experience with women while I was there.” He chose his words carefully.
“I bet the ladies there loved you.”
Those were not the women he was speaking of. He spent a great deal of time with the widows and saloon girls, even a few traveling performers, but hardly any ladies. A lady would have wanted more of a commitment than he was prepared to give. The other women only wanted the promise of passion he gave. They were more than happy to educate him in the ways of desire and for that he was grateful. He wasn’t going to share those details.
“Some of them were fond of me.”
“But you decided to leave them to come back?”
“I wanted to be home. My home will always be New York.”
He expected her to ask why he didn’t bring one of them back with him, but she didn’t. He didn’t know if it was because she could already tell or if she didn’t want to know.
“Would you like to walk for a bit?” she asked him. “I feel that I am in need of the fresh air.”
He was enjoying the illusion of privacy they had as they sat alone on the bench but when she turned those blue eyes on him in such a pleading way, he found he couldn’t say no. Robert stood and offered her his arm. She hesitated, looking around to see if anyone was watching. He knew that even though no one was close, there was always someone watching. You couldn't be anyone important in New York city unless someone was. Still, she decided to take the chance and stood, taking his arm so that he could walk her further down the path.
“I have been lucky enough to see both of the Donovan boys today,” she said.
“You saw Christopher?”
“He was kind enough to bring me to the park.”
“Then he left?” If Robert had been in his place, nothing could have made him leave.
“I insisted. I wanted some time alone with my thoughts.”
As they walked, Robert could feel the gentle sway of her body as she moved forward step by step. Everything she did had such an air of femininity to it She would have never been comfortable in the wildness of the Kansas frontier.
“What did he want to talk to you about?” Robert asked, trying to distract himself from intimate thoughts of her.
“He wanted to encourage me to start looking for a new husband. He and my parents must have the same idea for me.”
“Did he have any suggestions for who that might be?”
“He’s hardly a matchmaker.”
“No, but he always thinks he knows best.”
Becca slanted her gaze in his direction, and he knew what she was thinking.
“No, he hasn’t been trying to give me romantic advice.”
He knew he had guessed right when she ducked her head away to hide her smile.
“That is one area my brother has very little experience.”
Christopher had managed to avoid the marriage mark thus far. He was able to use his position in the company as an excuse and for now, his parents were willing to accept it. That was when Brandon was going to promise them a wedding and grandchildren. Without him, the other two would have to step in soon.
“He will settle soon,” said Becca. “He just needs to find the right woman. That is what you both need.”
“I am willing to look at least.”
They had reached the edge of the park, and Robert could see a frazzled looking driver near the O’Hare carriage, looking around frantically.
“I think your parents sent for you.”
Her gaze followed his arm to where he was pointing out the servant. He saw her purse her lips.
“You didn’t want them to?”
“I didn’t think they would know where to find me.”
Sneaking away without her parents’ knowledge, that was a new behavior for her. Robert didn’t entirely disapprove.
“He has spotted me.” The driver had in fact seen where Becca was standing and appeared to be in a rush to reach her. Knowing he only had a few more moments, Robert had to think quickly.
“I will be at the Robertson ball tomorrow.” He rushed the words out, trying to let his fingers linger on her hand where it held his arm. “May I expect to see you there?”
“My mother says it will be brimming with eligible men, so I suppose I must go.” She seemed reluctant to release him but has no choice but to move to the footman assistance. “I do hope you will say hello.”
“It will be the highlight of my evening.”
He watched her walking away on the servant’s arm and tried not to appeared as anxious as he felt. Then she turned to cast him a glance over her shoulder and he relaxed. He had caught her interest and that made him feel more at ease.