Marina looked atthe flowers, pink and red roses mixed with pink and purple hyacinths Evan had sent to her the previous afternoon. Her mother’s face lit up with pure joy upon receiving the bouquet, and she couldn’t stop talking about it during tea. Marina’s heart warmed, realizing that she couldn’t recall a time her mother had received flowers from her father. Her mother was ready to push Marina down the altar to Evan as soon as possible.
His words for each of them appeared sincere. He had important business, which called him back to the country. She was still disappointed that he hadn’t been able to keep his promise to come to tea, which he had begged for, she might add. Was this a sign that she was a fool to consider trusting the man again? Would she regret letting herself imagine a future with him? Because she had. She had already imagined what life with him would be like, and she wanted it. More than she was ready to admit to herself.
She replayed their recent encounter over and over again in her mind. It was wicked and wonderful, and she would repeat the experience if he were to suggest it. As much as she delighted in the pleasure he gave her, she most recalled the moment he slid his fingers within hers. The tenderness of his touch had caused her heart to do somersaults, and she knew her feelings toward him had changed in that moment. She found it impossible to continue hating him. Sheonly hoped he would return from the country soon, so that they might discuss all that had passed between them and find out why he had wished to come to tea.
Thoughts of Evan kept her distracted when Weatherby called on her. He hung on her every word, and she believed he might be interested in offering for her if a courtship should begin, but the plan carried no appeal if she and Evan could find their way to each other. She promised Weatherby a waltz at the next ball, but she hoped she wouldn’t have to follow through with considering him as a husband.
Leaning down over the bouquet, she placed her nose close to a single rose, inhaling its scent. She sighed and ran her finger across the petals. A knock at her door pulled her attention away from her thoughts, which were only for Evan. “Enter.”
Millie appeared and said, “My lady, your father has requested you to attend him in his study.”
Marina rolled her eyes. What did he want now? “Very well. I shall be down in a moment.”
She braced herself for the inevitable argument she would have with her father. It seemed she must continue to have the same conversation with the man until she married. She had avoided her father since she learned the identity of the woman her father had taken up with. She feared she would find herself unable to keep from confronting him about the matter. The last thing she wished to do was risk hurting her mother in the process.
Thankfully, she wasn’t worried that Evan could have been her father’s son. He was the spitting image of the previous viscount and looked nothing like her father. She still couldn’t accept the disrespect he showed her mother by taking a lover, and worse, someone her mother would encounter out in society.
Once she appeared before her father, she clasped her hands in front of her, attempting to remain calm and get the discussion over with.
“Shut the door, Marina.”
She did as her father asked and resumed the same position before him. “You called for me, Papa?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Take a seat Marina.”
Huffing, she did as she was told.
He cleared his throat and said, “What I have to say might upset you at first, but there is no other way. You are to marry Minto. The banns will be read this Sunday.”
She shot to her feet. “I will not. I still have today to procure a husband on my own. You cannot be serious, Papa.” He couldn’t do this. She would not allow it, nor would she go through it.
“I am quite serious. It is done.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
“Undo it,” she demanded, her fury overtaking her. “I am not marrying that horrid man.”
“You have no choice in the matter, daughter. You are to marry him. The contracts will be drawn up and it will be done. You will be well provided for, and most women would jump at such a grand match.” Although her father didn’t sound like he entirely believed his own words.
Her mind raced, attempting to tamp down the panic building within her, and she searched for anything that would get her father to change his mind. “Papa, I have suitors. And should have a proposal anytime now. I have options, and I would rather accept one of the other gentlemen.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And who do you believe is intending to offer for you?”
“Lord Weatherby. He called on me just yesterday and I believe he will do so again today.” She did not know if he would call on her again, but whatever it took to appease her father. She plastered a sweet smile on her face. “And he is a marquess. He outranks Minto. You should want a stronger connection, do you not?”
Her father laughed. Laughed. But it wasn’t one making fun of her,it was one of resolve. “You don’t understand, Marina,” he finally said. “Minto is determined and has already discussed matters with Weatherby. He noted your attention toward the man at the previous ball. There will be no offer.”
As the panic set in, she blurted out the only other thing she could think of. “Viscount Ockham will offer for me. Minto won’t convince him otherwise.”
“You will not marry Ockham,” her father ground out.
“What? Why?”
“Because you are marrying Minto,” he commanded, his jaw set in a firm line.
She locked eyes with her father and crossed her arms. “This is because of your relationship with Ockham’s mother, isn’t it?”
He shot forward in his chair. “What?”
“Don’t try to deny it,” she said. “I know who you have been sneaking around with. I saw her at the cabin with you.” Her nostrils flared, and she raised her chin to her father. “You aim to keep me from the viscount.”