Which was for the best, as he had not realized that he was reaching for the coin until she’d told him not to.Still, he did not see what was wrong with using his coin to ask if he would fall in love with his wife.
“I was not going to.”
It was a lie, and they both knew it.
“Promise me, Matthew.”Grandmama gave him that hard look that let him know she was not going to leave him alone until he did as she asked.“Promise me that you will not flip that coin for love.That is not how love works.”
“I promise,” he said.It did not matter anyway.They were getting married; that had nothing to do with love.
His grandmother looked at him as though she was uncertain he was telling her the truth, but after a moment, she sighed and nodded.
“Very well.I will see you at the chapel.Do not be late.”
“Of course.”
He was not going to miss out on his wedding because he was certainly not going to miss out on his wedding night.
Johanna
Rather than going down to breakfast, Johanna took a tray in her room.She was far too nervous to face anyone over the breakfast table.The thought of dealing with her siblings and their questions was too much.Besides, she wanted some peace and quiet before her life changed even more than it already had.
Just being in this room made her feel anxious.Knowing that tonight she would be moving to the duchess’ room… and knowing she was going to have to fulfill her marital duties…
That was both exciting and nerve-racking.
The knock on her door did not surprise her.
“Come in,” she called.
The door opened a crack, and Rose slipped in, a frown on her face.
“You did not come down to breakfast,” she said, coming into the room.She pulled one of the extra chairs over to where Johanna was sitting at the window seat, settling on the other side of Johanna’s breakfast tray.She was dressed in a cream gown with a misty red overgown, the combination lightening the scarlet hue so it was not so bright.
“I wanted to eat here and gather my thoughts.”Johanna gestured at the tray, which was admittedly still quite full.She had not managed to eat more than a few bites, even without the distractions of the rest of her family.
“Doing more of the latter than the former, I see.”Rose pushed the plate toward Johanna.
With an internal sigh, Johanna leaned forward and picked up the piece of toast that she’d nibbled on.She could nibble a little more.
“Your mother’s fever is holding steady.It has not gone down, but it has not gone up.”
Nodding, Johanna sighed.She had looked in on her mother earlier, but her mother had been sleeping peacefully, and she had not wanted to disturb her rest.As much as she wanted her mother to be at her wedding, this might be for the best.This way, she would not have to worry about her mother saying something she should not in the middle of it.Some of the tension she was feeling receded.
Yes.Perhaps it was better that her mother not attend.
Once mother was feeling better, surely this delusion about being a part of the deaths of the dukes would go away.
“What of Bridget and Charlotte?”
“Bridget isin altat the idea of being your flower girl.Charlotte is… Charlotte.I think they enjoyed meeting Emma and Fiona last night.”Rose’s lips quirked.“Did you know that Fiona had a squirrel in her pocket while she was here?”
Johanna’s mouth dropped open in shock and slight horror at the realization of what could have gone wrong.
“I did not,” she said faintly.
“Do not worry, I mentioned it to Kalina, and she promised to ensure Fiona would not sneak any animals into the wedding with her.”Rose smiled.“Apparently, she is a great animal lover and spends a lot of time taking care of injured ones, which is how she got the squirrel.”
“Do you think Lady Stark knew?”Johanna asked, her hand drifting up to her mouth.“She must not have.Can you imagine how she would have reacted?I hope Charlotte does not get any ideas…”