Page 16

K it took out his handkerchief and wiped the wine off his hand. “No, I could see that when I spoke with her. What I don’t understand is how she thinks to get out of this without a scandal unless we wed.”

“Though I agree with you that your marriage was the purpose all along. She has great faith in her grandmother, and it might not occur to her a match had been planned without her knowledge and consent. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t tell her.

According to Lady Eunice, Mary wants a Season and to be able to choose her own husband. ”

Kit had never known his grandmother to act stupidly.

Hadn’t she and the dowager duchess even considered Lady Mary might very well balk?

“That will make things more difficult than they already are. With that goddaughter of Lady Bellamny’s in London, I cannot take Lady Mary there and court her.

Still and all, I have no intention of enlightening her as to the scheme.

” He almost growled. “The only thing that would accomplish is to set her against me. I had a friend who tried to force a marriage, and it did not go well for him.” At least not at the beginning.

Robert did finally end up wed to his Serena.

Kit rose, careful to put his glass down lest he smash it against the fireplace.

“This will require a much finer hand than I expected when I spoke to Lady Mary earlier.”

The door opened. Doust stood and bowed. Kit moved toward Lady Mary. “My ladies, we’ve been waiting impatiently for you to join us.”

Mary had never appeared so beautiful. The turquoise of her gown brought out the golden hues of her hair. He fought to keep his eyes on her face when all they wanted to do was rove over her shapely form.

When he kissed her hand, she blushed. If anything, she was as innocent as Serena Beaumont had been when she first came to Town, but in a different way.

Mary would have been educated in the ways of Polite Society, yet had not had much of an opportunity to wield the knowledge.

He wondered how much time he had before their grandmothers appeared.

Then the devil would have to be paid. Mary would not appreciate having her choice taken away from her.

He needed to secure her hand before she understood how limited her selection of husbands was.

As Mary strolled down to the drawing room with her aunt, she’d decided her only option while they were at Rose Hill was to play the dutiful wife, to a point.

There was no reason to raise the suspicions of the servants.

She wanted to speak with her aunt about what her alternatives were, yet each time she brought the subject up, Eunice seemed determined to change the conversation.

The growing unease Mary felt that she might be forced to wed Mr. Featherton to avoid a scandal was not comforting. There must be an alternative.

Not that she didn’t like him. He was Mr. Perfect, after all, and he’d been very kind, except when he’d been so angry at first. Still, she did not wish to be forced into marriage and did not want him to feel trapped either.

She could not imagine a worse way to begin a wedded life.

Yet it had worked for her friend, Caro Huntley.

But her situation wasn’t the same. She had been in danger.

Mary was not, at least physically. What a bumble-broth.

If there was a way out of this mess, she vowed she would find it.

Until then, she would stick to her purpose.

Though she did rather wish Mr. Featherton would like to court her. If not, there were other gentlemen who would wish to marry her, of that she was certain. All she needed was sufficient time for them to find her.

He came forward when she and her aunt entered the room, and bowed over their hands, kissing hers. She tried to fight the image of his naked chest and failed. Opening her fan, she applied it vigorously. “My, it is a bit warm in here.”

If he had any idea she was still affected by him, he did not show it; instead, he cupped her elbow in his hand. “Is it? Come nearer the windows. I’m sure the air will be cooler.” He escorted her to the window seat she frequently sat in. “Would you like a sherry or wine?”

It had been hours since she’d eaten, and with the two glasses of sherry she’d already had, Mary was becoming a bit tipsy. “Nothing, thank you. I believe Simons will soon announce dinner.”

“As you wish.” Mr. Featherton leaned elegantly against the window embrasure.

His dark blue coat fitted so well there was not even a crease.

He wore an elegant buff waistcoat with gold and rose embroidery.

His breeches were the same color as his coat.

His evening pumps were so shiny the candle light was reflected in them.

He made poor Mr. Doust appear a bit shabby in comparison, although he had looked fine enough before.

Was it only Mr. Featherton’s clothing, or was there something more catching her attention?

“I apologize,” Mr. Featherton continued, “for not having your maid notified about my bath. It will not happen in the future.”

Mary fanned herself again. It wasn’t any cooler here. If anything, the room had become increasingly warmer. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

Fortunately, before this embarrassing conversation could go any further, Simons announced dinner.

“Please allow me to escort you, my lady,” Mr. Featherton said in a low voice.

Mary took his hand and rose. “Thank you.”

He leaned his head close to hers. “You must show me where the dining room is. I do not remember.”

She gave him a small smile. “Since Eunice and I have never entertained, other than the tenants, we use the family dining room. There is no reason to use the formal one.”

“Very wise and doubtless easier to heat.”

“Yes, although all the windows are in good repair, as are the chimneys,” she responded, unable to hide the pride in her accomplishments.

“And the accounts are in excellent shape. I could not have done better myself.”

This time when she colored, it was from pleasure and not embarrassment. She hadn’t expected his approbation and was glad he had appreciated her efforts. “Since I am the only daughter in my family, I was taught alongside my brothers.”

“Did they learn music and deportment as well?”

She slid a quick glance at him, but he wasn’t laughing at her.

“Not when it came to music, they had no talent, but they did take lessons in deportment from my governess. She left when I was nineteen to marry my brothers’ tutor.

They started a school in the Midlands.” Of course her family had thought Mary would soon be wed. “Here we are.”

The room was one of her favorites. Long windows lined two walls facing south and east, providing light for most of the day.

She had chosen a cream-colored silk wall covering with a loose pattern of roses and vines.

Glancing at the table, she made a mental note to speak with Cook regarding changes in the menu now that Mr. Featherton was here.

“You must tell me your favorite dishes or if you have any dislikes. I am afraid I have arranged the meals to please myself. Aunt Eunice will eat almost anything.”

He dismissed the butler, instead holding out her chair at the foot of the table himself. “I will think on it and let you know. I’m fairly easily pleased. Like your aunt, there is not much I dislike.” After she was seated he sniffed the air. “Asparagus soup? I thought the season wasn’t until May.”

“We have some planted in the succession houses.”

He bowed. “I commend you on your housekeeping, my lady.” Then he whispered, “If you will play along, I have an explanation for my absence.” Her brows came together slightly.

What could he be planning? “It is entirely self-serving.” He gave a boyish grin that appealed to her immediately.

“I would wish to be at least tolerated by my servants and the town.”

This was a slippery slope. Would it not be better to feign coldness? No, that wouldn’t help. It would only make everyone even more uncomfortable. “I shall do my best.”

When he smiled his whole face lit up. He’d always appeared a bit remote, but he really was quite nice.

“Thank you.”

Once Mr. Featherton took his place, she signaled for the meal to begin. After the soup was removed, he raised his wine glass. “To you, my lady.”

Aunt Eunice and the rector raised their glasses as well. Mr. Doust said, “To reunions.”

Mary tried not to choke. “Yes, indeed.”

As plates of roasted lamb, French beans, sole in lemon sauce, and a salad of early greens and cucumbers were being served, Mr. Featherton glanced down the short table at Mary.

“Please forgive me for not giving you notice of my arrival, my lady. Once the ship arrived I went straight to London, then came here. I hope you’ve forgiven me for leaving so soon after the wedding, but it did turn out to be necessary, and you would not have enjoyed the journey. ”

For several moments she was struck speechless. How much bolder could he be, and how was she to respond? “I know you believe I would not have been happy, but that was for me to decide, sir. Nevertheless, I have been exceedingly well employed here and am quite content.”

Let anyone hearing that decide for themselves if she was satisfied with making her way without his interference or not.

His eyes sparkled with mischief. “I see I have my work cut out for me. I do wish to be in your good graces, my lady.”

What in God’s name did he mean by that? Yet perhaps it was all playacting for the servants and, notwithstanding their loyalty, it would be all over town by to-morrow.

She gave her attention to her food. At least she had given as good as she’d got and would continue to do so.

Thankfully, the rector turned talk to the needs of the town.