What would it be like for him to want her?
Shaking her head, she turned to Anna, not wanting to answer that question.
"Forget that, you both are acting odd. But I must say, I weren't in on the ruse, I'd be fully convinced that you two were courting. I had no idea my brother had it in him, to act so smitten. I had to glance away from watching you dance, it was…" She twisted her lips slightly as if thinking of the correct word. "Passionate."
"Passionate?" Essie questioned, thought it was for Anna's benefit, and to cover up her own secret emotions all confusing and new.
"He was making love to you with his eyes. Disgusting. We're talking about my brother." She shivered delicately and glanced away. "I'm happy to know that you're dealing well with Trighton's ill taste. Bringing Miss Montray. Everyone knows she's only after his title…" Anna's eyes widened and she reached out and grasped Essie's arm. "Do you think his family is," She widened her eyes and nodded slightly, as if trying to communicate something without speaking it.
Essie shook her head in confusion. "I'm afraid I can't read minds."
"Do you think… wait." Anna pulled Essie's hand in the direction of an open balcony, thankfully mostly deserted. "He asked you to cry off, which means he didn't want to create a scandal, or be the source of one. After all, if you cried off, it would be far less of a disgrace for both of you if you were to end it. And since you're here with Cross, people will simply assume that you both parted amicably, for the most part. But, what if, Trighton needed you to cry off?" Anna asked in a whisper.
"He did, he wanted out of the betrothal," Essie answered, still not quite seeing where her friend was heading with this conversation.
"No. What I'm saying, is while your family is far from poor, you're not as wealthy as some…" She let the words linger.
Understanding dawned. "As Miss Montray."
"Indeed. She's already in her third season. So it's safe to say she's feeling a bit desperate. Not to forget, she inherited all that money from her aunt."
"I had quite forgotten about that." Essie glanced down, processing all this new information.
"So, since it seems unlikely he had created a firm attachment to Miss Montray while you were betrothed, it seems logical to assume that he needs her money."
"But the Trighton's are wealthy—"
"Or so we think." Anna nodded with emphasis. "Take the McCords last year. Everyone assumed they were fantastically wealthy; especially after all the money they spent on their daughter's debut. But it had all been a desperate effort to marry their daughter as quickly as possible because they were practically destitute."
"In truth we probably would have never known unless it hadn't worked as they anticipated," Essie replied, thoughtful.
"Yes. And if you consider Miss Montray's prospects… her family's money was produced from trade." Anna lowered her chin, causing her expression to be direct.
"I had quite forgotten her father had, er…"
"Bought a Barony. Yes," Anna finished in her matter of fact tone. "Making it necessary for her to marry into a titled family in order for her family to be accepted by the ton."
"I hadn't thought of that."
"I hadn't either until I started to put the pieces together. Of course, I could be wrong, but, don't you find it odd that Trighton needed you to cry off, only to immediately be seen with another deb who is approaching spinsterhood, and who has a large dowry?"
"When you put it that way…" Essie bit her lip. "It does seem rather probable. But, it doesn't prove anything. It's all still speculation and…" Essie sighed and smoothed her skirt. "Honestly, I don't give a fig." She straightened her shoulders and walked over to the balcony that overlooked the garden.
Essie heard Anna's approaching footsteps before she noticed her out of the corner of her eye as she stood beside her. "You're right. It doesn't matter a whit, I simply thought that if you knew it wasn't well… you… then maybe you'd feel a little better about the situation," she answered softly.
"You're right. And you're a dear friend for considering it. I just… I don't want to think about him right now."
"I hope sincerely that you aren't talking about me," Cross interjected, a teasing tone to his words.
"You? Never!" Essie teased and turned to face him. His eyes reflected the torchlight on the balcony, illuminating his gaze with a smoldering quality that was far from innocent and light.
"Speak for yourself," Anna teased Essie as she strode over to her brother, poking his arm. "Where have you been?"
"There was an acquaintance I needed to speak with," Cross answered, tugging at his coat sleeves.
"Who?" Anna asked, her brow furrowing.
"No one important." Cross shrugged.
"How insulting," Anna teased, earning a confused expression from her brother.
"How so?" He asked.