Page 18 of A Simple Marriage (Millionaires of Mayfair #2)

The next day, Pippa sat in her study, finishing the final trim and touches to ensure that Lady Ravenscroft’s and Lady Edith’s gowns were the talk of the ton. She’d truly finished them yesterday, but having something in her hands to work on usually kept her demons at bay. But so far, it hadn’t helped much.

She never finished her conversation with her brother about her plans to do whatever was necessary to secure that dress shop. After she’d said goodnight to Grace, Pelham had insisted Grace return to his study, where they stayed for hours. Pippa finally retired. Perhaps her brother would realize from their earlier discussion that she would do whatever she had to do to secure that dress shop.

A knock sounded on the door.

When Pippa looked up, she dropped everything in her lap and ran to answer. It was Honor and Pelham together. She launched herself into Honor's arms, and they swayed back and forth side to side as if they hadn’t seen each other in a year instead of two weeks.

“You’re back,” Pippa exclaimed as she took a long gander at her beautiful sister. With her pink cheeks, red lips, and a blonde head of hair that had been kissed by the sun, her eldest sister was a sight. “And more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

Pelham crossed his arms and simply grinned at the two of them.

“I couldn’t stay away any longer.” Honor pulled away but kept holding Pippa’s hands to look at her. “You’re simply beaming.”

“Of course, I am. You’re home.” Pippa waved a hand in dismissal. “Are you staying the afternoon? Is Trafford joining us? We could have a family dinner.”

Pelham tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “If I didn’t possess so much self-assurance, I’d be devasted with how you greet Honor. When I arrived last night, you greeted me as if I was chopped liver.”

“What are you about?” Pippa retorted in glee.

Honor smirked, but there was playfulness in her expression. “Our brother needs sisterly affection, I’m afraid.”

With that, they each took one of his arms and kissed him on the cheek. They both led him to the sitting area where Pippa had been working.

“That’s more like it,” Pelham murmured with a wink and a grin.

“To answer your question, I can’t stay long.” Honor frowned slightly. “But Marcus and I will be here tomorrow to have a family dinner.”

“Tell Pippa your news, darling,” Pelham said, pride ringing through his voice.

“What?” Pippa sat on the edge of her seat.

“Marcus and I are building a foundling home.” Honor’s brilliant turquoise blue eyes flashed with exuberance. “The staff will be the best and most talented in their fields.” Honor’s cheeks flushed and her eyes widened. “We’re picking up the plans from the architect this week.”

Pippa grabbed her hands. “You and he have been talking about that for ages. I’m so happy for you.” She turned to Pelham. “And happy for us. That means we’ll be seeing Honor and Trafford more frequently.”

“I’m thrilled with seeing our darling sister,” Pelham drawled. “But Trafford?”

“Careful, old man,” a voice called out from the doorway. “Your sister and I are one. If you’re thrilled to see her, then you’ll be seeing me. But we are both aware that you’re thrilled to see me too whether you admit it or not.”

Without pausing, Pelham rose to greet their brother-in-law. In a thrice, he had one arm around Marcus’s shoulder. “Welcome home.”

“Thank you.” Marcus returned the affectionate gesture.

They all knew how much the concept of family meant to Marcus. He’d lost his family as a young child. With Honor, he’d found it and had become closer to Pelham also.

Pippa continued to smile, but that familiar emptiness lodged in her chest. Honor and Trafford had a love that was all-consuming. They each thought the other had hung the moon and the stars just for them.

She couldn’t imagine having that with anyone.

That was a lie. That “anyone” was a certain marquess by the name of Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft. She had no doubt that his proposal was an impulse. He didn’t mean it. After he’d shared the pain and hurt he’d experienced seeing his mother’s paralyzing grief, she was more certain than ever.

“Hello, everyone. What have I missed?” A deep baritone filled the room.

Pippa didn’t have to glance at the door to see who it was. It was as if the devil himself had conjured Hugh out of nowhere.

As Trafford and Pelham made their way to greet Hugh, his great-aunt glided into the room as if she owned all of London. She stood inside the door and placed both bejeweled hands over her cane.

Pippa glanced at Honor and lifted her eyebrows. This was unusual behavior even for Lady Edith. Pippa rose to greet the elderly woman, and Honor followed.

Before Pippa could offer a proper greeting, Lady Edith pointed her cane with the silver lion head directly at Pippa. “Is it true?”

Pippa shook her head, taken aback. “Pardon?”

Honor stopped beside Pippa and clasped Pippa’s hand. “Is what true?”

Pippa’s heartbeat started to accelerate. Had Lady Edith discovered what she and Hugh had done the night of the musicale, or worse, what they’d done in this very room two nights ago? Heat crept up her chest and was surely painting her cheeks scarlet.

Lady Edith turned to look at the three gentlemen. “Trafford, good to see you.” Slowly, she turned her gaze to Pelham, who bowed. She acknowledged him with a nod. But her eyes burned a hole through her nephew.

Without turning away from Hugh, Lady Edith continued, “Pippa, the gossip today is that you’re going to receive a marriage proposal from Stanhope. Is it true?”

“Aunt Edith,” Hugh interrupted her.

But the grand dame held her palm up.

Immediately, he halted in his place.

“Lady Ravenscroft is in bed because of the news. Stanhope’s mother came to see her.” Aunt Edith notched her chin up an inch.

“Aunt Edith, enough,” Hugh bellowed. He took two steps and blocked Lady Edith from Pippa’s view. “You know that’s not the truth. Mother doesn’t feel well.”

“Do you deny that Lady Stanhope came to visit your mother yesterday?”

Hugh rolled his eyes. “No.”

“Do you deny that Margaret didn’t come today because she doesn’t feel well?” Lady Edith peeked around Hugh. “Pippa, Margaret wouldn’t miss a visit with you for the world. The news has devasted her.” Hugh’s aunt whipped her gaze back to Hugh. “Answer me, my boy. Is that not true?”

“Yes, it’s true,” Hugh acknowledged reluctantly. “But that’s not why Mother doesn’t feel well, and it’s a private matter.”

This time, Aunt Edith turned to Pelham. “He’s just making excuses.”

“A marriage proposal?” Honor turned to Pippa. “What’s this about?” When Honor’s attention turned to her husband, her eyes widened. “Did you know about this?”

“Darling, I had no idea,” Trafford said softly. “Pelham hasn’t said a word.”

“Dane?” Pippa placed her hand over her heart to keep the runaway organ from galloping out of her chest.

Everyone started talking at once. Honor quizzed her husband on what exactly he knew. Aunt Edith lectured Hugh about his inability to act and his disregard for society’s machinations. She continued by accusing him of not taking his responsibilities seriously enough. She wanted great-great nephews and nieces.

“Everyone, please cease this incessant chatter.” Her brother called out in an effort to calm everyone down.

Pippa stood in the middle of the room, speechless. If this rumor had spread throughout London, then there was little chance another man would even consider marrying her. No gentlemen of good ton would encroach upon another’s fiancée or some-to-be fiancée.

She glanced at her brother. Pelham had narrowed his eyes as he studied Hugh. Pippa turned in Hugh’s direction, and that’s when Pippa saw it. The haunted look that had dulled his green eyes.

“That’s enough,” Pelham announced loudly.

Finally, everyone quieted.

Her brother turned to Lady Edith. “Madam, I assure you that if there was a marriage proposal on the table, I would be the first to hear about it. Pippa would be the second.” He took the elderly lady’s hand and bent over it. “And you would be one of the first I confide in. I know how you like to share such tidbits with your friends.” He winked at her. “Stanhope is a fine man, one whom I respect.” He smiled, then continued, “He wouldn’t announce his plans without seeking me out first.”

Pelham turned in her direction, and his brow furrowed. “Darling, you’ve grown pale. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She shook her head in direct contradiction to her words.

Lady Edith studied her. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

Hugh turned so quickly that the tails of his morning coat flew in an arc behind him. Their eyes met.

What was happening to her? As soon as he entered the room, she always admired his figure and clothing. It was one of the first things that had attracted her to him. She bit her lip and stared at the floor. She had to get her wits together. She should be ecstatic that Stanhope appeared ready to propose. It was exactly what she needed. She hadn’t yet persuaded Pelham, and it was a longshot at best that she could break the trust. Perhaps this was her only chance to get the money for the shop in time.

Slowly, she lifted her head. Her gaze met Hugh’s wide eyes. He hadn’t recovered his earlier shock and neither had she. The urge to fall in his arms and comfort each other was neigh near impossible to ignore. She took one step toward him then stopped when Pelham cleared his throat.

“I can assure you that if Stanhope asks for permission to court Pippa, she and I will have that conversation before anything is agreed to.” Pelham’s gaze swept to hers. “Now, if you all will excuse me and Lady Pippa? We have something of the utmost urgency to discuss.

Pippa turned her gaze to Hugh and gave him a brief, private smile. Then she drew in a deep breath and stood tall. Now was not the time to crumble.

Somehow, her brother had shooed everyone away, including his two best friends, then brought Pippa into his study. His big hand dwarfed hers. He’d always held her hands when he had bad news to share, such as when their parents had sent Honor away. The last time she remembered him holding her like this was when their mother had died.

Without a word, he brought her to a sitting area that overlooked the same courtyard that her study overlooked. Whereas her furniture was light and airy, his possessed the style and bearing of a powerful duke.

He walked to his desk and poured two cups of tea. Without a word, he handed her a cup then sat across from her. Pippa took a gulp of the hot liquid, hoping to calm her racing heart. The liquid burned her throat, and she burst into a coughing fit.

Pelham put his cup down and walked to her side. The concern on his face made her feel even worse. After a moment, she managed to get control of her body once more. Without a word, he hugged her.

“Thank you.”

“I knew you were upset, but I didn’t realize how upset.” He let her go until they were looking at each other. “Are you all right?”

She dipped her gaze again and shook her head. Dane had always been her champion. Anything that went wrong in her life, he was the one who was by her side, helping to wrong the rights. Her parents never did any of that for her. Only her loyal brother.

She forced her gaze to his. “I think I’m all right, but I don’t know what to say. I think we saw a prime example of pandemonium in there.”

“It was quite a spectacle.” He nodded in understanding, then smiled. “Let me start.”

She nodded.

“Last night we didn’t finish our conversation. I needed to chat with Grace and ask her advice about how to handle this situation.” He sat across from her on one of his brown leather sofas, then rested his elbows on his knee. He clasped his hands and let them dangle between his legs. His gaze never let hers. “After Ravenscroft left the Jolly Rooster, it wasn’t long before I had another visitor. Stanhope.”

She let out a stuttered breath. “I see.” She tangled her fingers together.

“He did things correctly when one wants to court a duke’s sister. He came to see me first before he called on you.” He leaned back slightly. “Unlike some people I’m acquainted with, like our brother-in-law, Trafford.”

“Honor and Trafford are happy together,” she argued softly. Suddenly chilled, she wrapped her arms around her waist. A proposal was exactly what she thought she wanted. Now, she wasn’t so sure. She had to remember that she wanted that dress shop more than anything else in the world even if that meant sacrificing her own happiness.

“Do you want to marry Stanhope?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” He stood, then sat beside her on the sofa. “I hate to see you so sad.” Her brother put one around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Why don’t you start at the beginning?” he asked gently.

“I just wanted the dress shop. If I had to marry to acquire it, I would do it. I thought it wouldn’t be complicated, but now, I’m confused.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Mother and Father were a poor example of marriage.”

“The worst,” he agreed as he gently ran his hand up and down her arm offering her comfort. “Is that why you don’t want marriage?”

“It’s not that I’m against marriage. But I want no part of love.” She sniffed as he continued to comfort her. “I wanted a marriage exactly opposite of theirs. I didn’t want any emotion. I’ve always assumed I’d be happy with a marriage to any man.” She tilted her gaze to his. “If I married, then I could acquire Mignon’s dress shop with your blessing.”

“A rather unromantic view of the sacred institution,” he drawled with a grin.

“After seeing our parents together, I don’t think it is romantic.”

“Oh, darling,” Pelham murmured, his voice laced with empathy.

He was so earnest and forthright. She closed her eyes. He loved her like no other. How fortunate to have him as her brother and champion. It was hard to keep it in any longer. Everything hurt. Perhaps Hugh was correct. Mayhap she should share everything with Dane.

“Remember when it was my birthday, and I was in my room?” She swallowed, hoping she wouldn’t cry. “I told you that I didn’t want to come down and celebrate as I was perfectly happy in my room.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Yes.”

“I lied.” She swallowed the abject humiliation that she’d carried for years and forced herself to continue, “The night before, Mother and Father made me sit at the dining room table for three hours and forty-five minutes as they argued about their lovers. I’d had so much tea listening to them that I was in pain, mentally and physically. I begged them repeatedly to let me go to the retiring room or my own room. At first, they refused, and then they just ignored me. Every single time they mentioned my name, I cringed, which just made it more painful to hold it in.”

“My sweet girl.” His voice softened in the way it always did when he was listening to her stories about their parents.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Perhaps it was time to share the truth about everything. Dane had always taken care of her and Honoria. He’d shielded them from as much of the ugliness of their parents’ marriage as he could. As their father’s heir, he could do no wrong…mostly. But as he’d become older, his arguments with their father had escalated. She knew how those arguments upset Dane. Sometimes, he’d storm from her father’s study with his eyes red, but he never cried. One time, she’d seen him leave with a bloody lip.

Pippa never would have forgiven herself if she’d caused him more pain. And that’s exactly what would have happened if she had told him about that night. Dane would have fought their father.

He would have fought for her.

But the time had come to show her scars. She was tired of living in her parents’ shadow.

“I soiled myself at the table.” She closed her eyes as the horror and humiliation of that night enveloped her. She shivered, unable to get warm. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I couldn’t hold it any longer.” She sobbed and covered her mouth.

Her brother simply held her tighter. “Go on.”

“Suddenly, the only sound in the room was water hitting the floor.” Her voice grew weak, but she wouldn’t stop. “Father and Mother turned to me. Father’s lips were shaped in a vile sneer, and Mother wore an expression of shock.” She shook her head. “Nine years old, and I had peed at the table like a baby.”

Pelham took her hand and squeezed. “You couldn’t help it. They were cruel to keep you there.”

“Father banished me from his sight for a week. I asked if I could leave my room on the morrow since it was my birthday.” Her father’s face loomed before her, his hatred still as vivid now as it was then. Her shoulders curled inward. “Father said…‘untrained heathen don’t deserve birthdays.’”

“Oh, my love,” Pelham murmured as his lips rested on the top of her head. “He was a monster.”

Dane’s warmth gave her comfort, and she squeezed his hand in return. “But that wasn’t the worst of it. Whenever I was alone with either of them, they’d ask me questions about the other. They were extremely clever. They’d mention me in their questions, and I foolishly thought they were interested in me.” A tear fell down her cheek. “I was so stupid. I didn’t see what they were doing until that dinner. They kept on saying, ‘Pippa shared this or that.’” She bit her lip. “They were so cunning and knew exactly what questions to discover information about the other.”

“You’re not stupid. Don’t ever say that,” he growled. “Damn them for making you sit there. Damn them for hurting you like that.” He tilted his head and stared at the ceiling for a moment. “They were the heathens. Not you, Pippa. Never you. God, I wish you would have told me on your birthday. I would and should have taken you from them.”

“And have you confront Father?” She shook her head. “He would have banished you just like he’d done to Honor or worse.”

He stared at her. His eyes had reddened and glistened with tears. He swallowed thickly and turned away. “I wasn’t afraid of him.”

She reached for his hand. “I know but I was afraid for you.”

He took it and squeezed. “So, my little sister was trying to protect me.”

She leaned toward him and smiled. “Your little sister learned that from her big brother. He always defended his sisters. It was time he had someone who would protect him.”

A tear fell down his cheek, and she brushed it away. “Don’t try and take the blame for those two years you and Honoria were away at school.” She leaned against him again. “It was inevitable when you’re the youngest of three siblings that you’d be left at home while your dashing siblings were at Eton and Mrs. French’s Finishing School.” She grew serious. “I witnessed Mother and Father’s love turn to hate. I can’t go through that again. I can’t risk it.”

He groaned and squeezed her. “People should have to take an exam before they procreate.” She laughed slightly, and he smiled. “Thank you for finally telling me. Now I understand your hesitation about marriage. Tell me, what do you want?”

“I thought with a dress shop, I could make my own found family without ever having to put a husband’s interests before my own.” She sighed slightly and shook her head. “But now…I don’t know. I think I might want a real family.”

“And you don’t think Stanhope could give you that? Or perhaps, you don’t think you’d be happy with him?”

“I don’t know.”

“What about Ravenscroft?” He asked gently. “Would he make you happy?”

She shook her head. “He doesn’t want to marry me. Besides, what happens if there are feelings? Could I trust those? All of it is too great a risk.”

He brushed another kiss against the top of her head. “Sometimes it’s worth the risk.” His voice broke, and he cleared his throat. “Love can bring you happiness. And there is nothing wrong with expecting happiness.”

“My, my. You’re turning into quite the sage.” She poked him in the rib with her elbow. “Do you ever worry about your own happiness?”

He nodded. “But I’m not going to dwell on it until I see my sisters happy. I have one down.” He gently returned her poke with his elbow. “I have one to go.”

“Thank you for helping me. You’re the best brother anyone could have.”

He tightened his grip around her shoulders and lowered his voice. “I have the best littlest sister anyone could have. She’s brave, protective, and has a heart of gold.” He took her hand in his. “Pippa, you can’t make the right decision until you know what’s going to make you happy.”

Her brother had never spoken more truer words. “I know the dress shop will make me happy. As regards to marriage, I’m still trying to determine what I want.”

Frankly, she didn’t want to make a mistake. That’s why it was so hard to acknowledge what would make her happy.

“Perhaps you should hear Stanhope’s proposal. You might know what you want by talking with him.” He winked with a lighthearted grin. “Let me share a secret that you’ll find hard to fathom. I believe in love. It makes us stronger. ”