Page 24 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

At the soothing sound of his purring, her breathing slowed and her eyelids, once wide open, now were too heavy. They drooped little by little until she was shrouded in darkness and dreams.

When Priscilla saw the sun’s rays the next morning, poking into the room where the curtains gapped in the middle, she was shocked.

She had believed she would never fall asleep the night before.

Priscilla arched her back, her arms over her head as she stretched the kinks out of her body from being curled up into a ball on the chaise.

She popped up as she remembered... Nick.

She glanced at her bed, and her stomach fell.

The only signs that he had been there were an empty chamber pot, a discarded blanket, and the impression of his body on the counterpane.

When had he snuck out? The last she’d spoken to him, he’d been in no condition to leave and find his way home.

An hour later, Priscilla broke her fast with both her parents, and Nick was not mentioned, nor did any household servants glance at her slyly. Nick must have magically entered their townhome last night and exited in the early morning the same way he’d come.

*

That afternoon, Priscilla entered the drawing room dressed for a carriage ride with David to find her mother entertaining him while they waited for her arrival.

She had put off coming downstairs for as long as she could, unable to entirely shake the unease with him she’d felt the night before.

The moment David saw her, he stood and bowed, looking dashing in buckskin breeches, brown clawhammer coat, cream shirt, cravat, and riding boots.

Too bad clothes had no sway over a gentleman’s personality or honesty.

“Lady Priscilla, are you ready for our outing in the park?”

She curtsied. “Yes.”

He indicated the doorway. “Shall we?”

“Yes. We shall not be long, Mother.”

“Take your time and enjoy this rare sunny day,” her mother replied.

It was sunny, and David drove them in an open-air phaeton.

He appeared quite adept at driving, and she tried to relax, but all the while, she kept thinking that he was parading her around in the park, showing her off as his.

She politely nodded her head in acknowledgment to anyone who did the same.

Some other riders blatantly stared and whispered.

Was it because she was not in Nick’s company or because of David and his prior reputation as a ne’er-do-well?

All she knew was that it wasn’t an easy, comfortable ride with David, as it was when she rode with Nick.

Halfway through the park, he pulled the carriage over and turned to her, taking her gloved hands into his.

“Priscilla,” he said in all seriousness, “I’ve been waiting for the right time for this. I spoke to your father and received his permission.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Priscilla, my dear, will you marry me?”

She did not gasp out loud in shock, even though she wanted to, because truthfully, she was not shocked.

Her intuition warned her this was coming today, which perhaps was why she had procrastinated in leaving her chambers.

She could not believe her father had not warned her about something so monumental as a marriage proposal.

No doubt he was disappointed that it wasn’t Nick asking permission but probably also glad to have someone, anyone, ask for her hand .

“Is it too much to ask if I may have some time?” He had been nothing but a gentleman, yet she still had doubts about him.

She was not in a hurry to get married, not until the person and time were right.

Or her doubts about David were solved. She also wanted a few answers regarding Nick.

After his visit last night, clearly the two of them had things to discuss.

David squeezed her hands, and she realized she’d been woolgathering in the middle of a proposal, which did not bode well for the man.

“If you said yes, I would be the happiest man alive.” He gently squeezed her hands.

“But I understand you need time. After all, this is your second marriage and should not be taken lightly. I’ve come to care for you deeply and would be honored if you chose me.

I promise to spend my life proving I am worthy of being your husband. ”

“Thank you,” she whispered as her stomach knotted up tightly.

For some reason his words didn’t ring true.

He released her hand, took up the reins again, and flicked them.

The carriage entered the traffic flow meandering along Rotten Row.

Thank goodness they were on their way. It had turned into one of the most difficult rides ever.

Neither one spoke for the entire ride back to her family’s townhouse.

David had said he was fine with her needing time, but the tension radiating from him told her otherwise.

Did she blame him? No. It could not be easy for someone to propose. Thankfully, women need not do so.

When the carriage stopped, David climbed down and helped her exit the phaeton. He bowed. “Please send word to me when you have an answer, as I am most anxious.”

“Forgive me.” She curtsied. “I don’t mean to cause you distress. Good day.”

As she ascended the stairs, the door opened, and she was glad when it closed behind her. It felt as though David’s eyes bore needles into her spine.

“Priscilla,” Mother’s voice called out from the top of the staircase. “ A word.”

Her hand moved up the banister, pulling her body up one stair at a time. Mental exhaustion weighed her body down, and she wished she could crawl into bed and stay there for days... weeks... months.

She followed her mother into the family parlor, where a fresh tray was on a low table.

They both sat on the settee. Priscilla waited silently as her mother poured tea, put several biscuits on a plate, and handed the plate to her.

“You look pale. A little sugar should help. Now, tell me what happened.”

Laughter bubbled out of Priscilla’s mouth, and she smothered it up with her hand as it quickly turned into sobs.

“I do not want to marry Latham.” Drat, but she was crying again.

However, if there were ever a time to cry, it was now when her future was in the balance.

“Why didn’t you warn me he would propose today? ”

“My darling daughter,” her mother said as she patted her hand. Her hand was overly warm from the teapot. “A marriage proposal is meant to be a surprise.”

“Yes, but it is not my first marriage proposal or marriage.”

“You knew the baron planned to propose.”

“Yes. But not so soon.” Deep inside, where she kept her secrets and wishes even from herself, she had hoped David would lose interest in her and find another lady to marry—one with a more considerable dowry. Why had she encouraged him? She had misled him and now she had to make it right.

“I married once, knowing the future was uncertain.

Jasper was a wonderful man. I was young, and the thought of eloping was exciting.

Deep down, I know part of me married Jasper because I wanted to hurt Nick, and a small part of me hates Nick because it did nothing to him.

And when Jasper died, I realized I cared for Jasper deeply and that we were both robbed of a future together that would have turned to love.

“But now—I don’t want to settle and marry Latham when I know I will never love him, and I do know it.

I like him and enjoy his company, but I can’t foresee it moving beyond that.

I almost had love once, and I want the chance again.

There must be someone else out there besides Nick for me to love.

I need to pay attention to other eligible bachelors and find someone new.

I hope you and Father won’t be disappointed when I refuse Latham. ”

“Drink your tea. It will help calm you down,” her mother said.

“And no, we will not be disappointed with you. You are still young and have time to marry and have babies. We will respect your decision. And I promise I will stop pushing you and Nicholas together. He is certainly old enough to know what he wants. He has had years to marry you and chose not to. I will get over my hopes of merging our families. Starting today, I will not mention him unless you do first.”

At hearing her mother’s words, her heart constricted in pain. But what she said was true. Nick had had years to make up his mind about her. “Thank you. Excuse me, I’d like to rest before dinner.” Her hand went to her stomach as she stood. “What day is it?”

“Yes, I realize what tonight is.”

“Please make my excuses.” Tonight was the monthly dinner when they hosted Lady Hollingsworth and Nick. But she couldn’t face them, not tonight.

“Will you not feel uncomfortable hiding in your chambers?”

“Perhaps, but I’m going to.”

“Very well. I’ll come up with something to explain your absence.”

When she entered her chambers, she didn’t bother ringing for Eugenia. She removed her hat, gloves, boots, and spencer and climbed into her bed, dress and all. She wanted nothing more than to be alone and fall into a dreamless sleep where David and Nick didn’t exist.