Page 7 of Marrying a Marquess (Widows of Mayfair #3)

P riscilla’s mother accompanied her to the Trowbridge musicale, where she knew Nick and Baron Latham would also be attending. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of seeing Nick again, which was foolish.

As for Latham, perhaps she would give him a chance if he did ask to court her, which he still hadn’t yet.

Ordinarily, potential suitors would request permission from her father, but since she was married before, it was no longer a prerequisite unless they wanted to.

But her marriage to Jasper was so short that she had never felt like a wife.

Tears threatened to escape her eyes, and she used her gloved fingers to stop them from falling down her cheeks.

“Why are you teary-eyed, my dear?” her mother asked with a worried frown.

“I was thinking about how I’m not your typical widow.

Jasper and I never set up a residence or lived together.

The only time we shared a bed was on our wedding night.

I feel like a fraud. I more closely resemble an unmarried lady than a widow.

I have no experience in what married life entails.

My heart hurts that Jasper and I were cheated of a life together. ”

Her mother leaned forward and touched her hands.

“I can’t begin to understand your loss, but I’m here for you.

When you marry again, you don’t need to worry about running a household immediately.

Whomever you marry will have household servants to handle everything.

Your father and I have brought you up as a lady, and I believe a lady can do almost anything.

Have faith in yourself. As for Latham, Nicholas, or some other gentleman, choose the one which suits you best. I know I’ve shown favoritism for Nicholas, but don’t let it sway you.

After Jasper died and you stayed in your chambers, I worried for you, your health, and your future.

All I want is for you to marry well and be happy. ”

“I know, Mother, and I appreciate your concern for me.”

The carriage came to a stop, the door opened, and the stairs were dropped down.

The footman helped her mother and then her out of the coach in front of a lovely townhouse in Grosvenor Square.

The Earl of Trowbridge had three musically accomplished daughters—or so Priscilla had been told.

She would only believe it when she’d heard the girls play.

Her mother saw several of her friends and parted ways with her, leaving Priscilla standing in the aisle between several rows of chairs, wondering where she should sit.

Lilly waved at her, which caught her eye, and she waved back.

Several unoccupied chairs were near her, Emmeline, Blackstone, and Langford.

Making her way toward them, she sat beside Lilly and whispered, “Thank you for noticing me. My mother left me alone, and I didn’t know where to sit. ”

“I’m so glad you joined us.” She put her hand on her husband’s arm. “Edmund, you remember Lady Priscilla?”

“Yes. It is nice to see you,” he said as he dipped his head.

“It’s good to see you also, Lord Langford.”

Emmeline and her husband had a hushed conversation going on. Priscilla would acknowledge them when the performance ended.

Three young ladies stood in the front of the room, and Priscilla hid her shock when she realized they were triplets. All three girls looked exactly the same, perhaps around sixteen years old. One had a violin, one sat at a pianoforte, and one stood off to the side—the one with the voice .

Nick slid into the vacant seat beside her as they began to play a lively tune. “Fancy meeting you here,” he whispered.

Leaning close to him, she whispered back, “You knew I was attending.”

“So I did. Quiet now, it is beginning.”

Priscilla leaned back into the hard chair and sighed.

As far as musicales went, and honestly, she’d only attended a few, this was one of the best. The sisters were good.

There were only a few missed notes on the instruments and forgotten words during the singing.

Not that Priscilla was judging them. She wasn’t all that musical herself.

Her pianoforte was passable at best, to her parents’ dismay.

“Well, that was fun,” Nick said after the music was done, and he stood, his arm out. “May I escort you to the refreshments?”

She placed her hand on his arm and saw Latham sitting with his brother, James Caldwell, and his wife across the aisle and back several rows.

The baron watched her intently. Their eyes connected, and he smiled at her, making her think he was very handsome when his features were relaxed.

Not as handsome as Nick, but who was? The man was an anomaly.

“Who has caught your attention?” he asked as his eyes followed hers. “Oh. Latham. Do you really believe he would make a decent husband? I’ll give him points for being handsome. His clothing is impeccable, although a little dandified for my taste. But to each his own.”

“Stop it. You are being rude. I never said anything about marrying him. And how would you like it if people gossiped about you behind your back?” The moment she voiced the words out loud, she wished she could take them back. If anyone knew how it felt to be talked about negatively, it was Nick.

His body tensed. “That is not amusing.”

“Apologies, Nick.”

“Apology accepted.” He hit her with a tight grin. “About those refreshments. Shall we?”

“Yes.” And they could not come too soon as her tangled-up tongue was parched. Making their way through the crowd, they entered what appeared to be a small ballroom, where an orchestra was tuning their instruments. “I didn’t know there would be dancing.”

“Me either. This is quite a nice change.”

Long tables with drinks and platters of foods were set up off to the side of the ballroom.

Nick filled a plate with two of everything while Priscilla took two glasses of punch.

They returned to the music room, which had already been transformed into a large receiving room full of tables, chairs, and settees.

Nick gestured toward a small table with two chairs. “Over there is perfect.”

She knew it was perfect for Nick because no one else could join them, and he would have her all to himself.

“Have you given any more thought to our fake courtship?” he asked while stuffing a small confection into his mouth.

“You are not going to let this go, are you?”

“No. I wouldn’t ask again if I weren’t desperate. You are my friend and I’m asking a favor from my friend.” His eyes widened, pleading with her. “If you do this, I will owe you a favor. Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

If she didn’t agree to this she was beginning to be afraid he would simply hound her until she gave in.

She may as well get it over with. “I will agree if you allow me to court Baron Latham simultaneously. He interests me. This can’t be all about you.

” Nick was good at hiding his emotions, and right now was no exception, except for the little tic in his right eye.

When she was a young girl and pouted and yelled about marrying him when she grew up, she’d noticed the tic.

She couldn’t be the only one who had. She wondered how many card games he lost because of it.

“You know that it is highly unusual for a lady to simultaneously court two gentlemen.”

“No, it is not. Debutantes have a slew of gentlemen calling on them on any given day.”

“Perhaps, but that is different than taking them for rides in the park and escorting them to the theatre or opera.”

“I disagree. Besides, I’m a widow, so I will do as I please.

And it pleases me to have you and Latham both courting me.

Since your courtship is technically false, what difference does it make?

You aren’t competing with the baron for my affections, so it shouldn’t matter.

You would only be courting me so that other eligible ladies will look past the rumors and see the deathly handsome and debonair gentleman you are.

In no time, you will be swarmed by ladies, like bees to a hive.

Our so-called courtship will end, and you will have your pick of any number of ladies to marry. ”

“Go on.” He grinned and wiggled his brows.

She rolled her eyes. “So many young ladies will be chasing you that you will beg them to leave you alone,” she said drily.

He cocked a brow. “I highly doubt it.” He leaned forward. “Don’t look now, but Latham is coming this way.”

“Indeed.” Drat, but she felt her cheeks heat. And it didn’t go unnoticed by Nick. And drat him as well.

“Good evening, Hollingsworth, Lady Priscilla,” Latham said with a perfectly turned-out bow.

Without appearing obvious, Priscilla tilted her head to the side, hoping Nick took the hint and left. After several times, his eyes widened, then narrowed, and he frowned. However, he did stand.

“If you will both excuse me, I feel the need for fresh air.” He bowed to Priscilla and winked.

“May I join you?” Latham asked while balancing a plate and cup of punch in one hand.

“Yes, please do.”

He sighed once he was settled, with his cloth napkin draped across his lap on his dark-gray breeches. “I never thought Hollingsworth would leave. I’ve been staring at him for five minutes from across the room.”

She almost laughed out loud at his admission. “He finally did. Don’t be too hard on him, as he asked me today if he could court me.”

The baron’s sad, blue eyes met hers. “I’m sorry to hear this. I was hoping to court you myself. I planned on asking you this afternoon, but he arrived before I could do so.”

“I can court you both if that is acceptable to you. How am I supposed to know which of you suits me better if I can’t spend time with you both?” How her mouth spilled lies so easily these days.

The sadness disappeared from his eyes and was replaced with hope and a little bit of uncertainty. “You have known Hollingsworth your entire life. How are you not certain if you suit one other by now?”