But first, he had to do whatever it took to convince Marina to forgive him. And he had fewer days to do it.
Chapter Ten
Marina
Standing at theside of the ballroom with her friends, Marina surveyed the room, looking for the right gentleman to pursue. She only had two days left until her father made good on this threat.
Hannah and Tabitha engaged in conversation next to her, and she pretended to listen while she watched the crowd. She caught Lord Weatherby’s eye and flashed him a smile before glancing away, pretending to be embarrassed. She might not have liked the pretense and fakeness that so many of her gender used to catch a husband, but she knew how to execute it.
“Lord Weatherby is heading this way,” Tabitha said, keeping her voice low.
“So he is.” Marina smirked behind her glass of ratafia.
“Good evening, ladies.” He bowed before them. In the ballroom’s candlelight, his golden blond hair transformed into a rich amber hue, and his bright blue eyes held a tantalizing glimmer of mischief. Despite his reputation as a rake, he surprised everyone by announcing his plans to marry this season. As a marquess, he outranked Minto, which should make her father happy.
At least the thought of a life and children with Weatherby didn’t make her physically ill. It didn’t make her happy either, but she pushed that thought aside. He would be the one. He had to be.
“Lady Marina,” he asked, “might you have room on your dancecard for me?”
“Of course, my lord. I would enjoy a dance with you very much.” She held her wrist up to him and smiled under her lashes. Accepting that she had been reduced to this level was a bitter pill for her to swallow. Playing the part of the sweet debutante to win a man’s favor. It didn’t get any lower than that.Well, anything is better than Minto, she reminded herself. It was the only notion that might see her through the feather-brained behavior she would display tonight.
He signed her card and then bowed over her hand. “As would I.”
Once he had moved away from the group, Tabitha grabbed her shoulder. “What was that?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Marina pretended to adjust her gloves.
“Oh, you do. You were flirting with him and being…sweet. What is going on?” Tabitha asked.
Marina huffed. “Well, if you must know, my father is pushing Minto’s suit. I am worried if I don’t seek another option, and with haste, I am going to find myself as the new Lady Minto.”
Hannah and Tabitha both gasped.
“Oh, you can’t marry that beast of a man,” Hannah said.
“Precisely,” Marina replied. At least her friends would agree with her on the matter.
“I can’t believe your father would do that to you. Haven’t you told him of Minto’s advances?” Tabitha asked, taking her friend’s hand in hers.
Marina squeezed Tabitha’s hand. “It wouldn’t matter. I don’t think he would believe me or that it would be enough to change his mind. Papa only listens to my brother.”
“Perhaps it is time you wrote to Arthur and had him come to Town.” Hannah offered a small smile.
“You might be right.”
“You ladies look—” Marina’s heart flipped at the familiar baritoneand then she scolded herself for it “—like you are plotting something. And you are quite lovely doing so, if I might add.” Evan winked at her. He must know what that wink did to her.
“My lord. You flatter us so,” she said, her sarcasm barely disguised.
“I assure you, what I speak is completely in truth, my lady.” He looked at each of the ladies. “Might you all have a dance with me this evening?”
The ladies all held up their dance cards, and Evan signed each one. “I need to speak with Jude. I shall see each of you later.” He bowed and moved past them to join Jude and Hudson.
“I see why Diana thought the man might suit. He is quite charming and handsome, too,” Tabitha said, glancing toward Evan. Her eyes lingered on his form longer than Marina thought proper, and it irritated her. “Perhaps he could save you from Minto.”
“I don’t think so.” Marina’s tone was a little too clipped.
Tabitha narrowed her eyes. “He seems like an amiable gentleman. Why do you dismiss him?”