Chapter Eleven
Tia awaited Lia’s arrival in her mother’s sitting room. The twins had arranged at supper last night for Lia to come an hour before morning calls began so that they might discuss the opening night’s ball.
Lia now rushed into the room, and Tia embraced her, grateful that her sister had been willing to come and talk about last night’s events.
But would she open their discussion to anything regarding Lord Merriman?
Already, she knew the answer was no. Though she had always confided in Lia regarding every matter, both small and large, suddenly she wanted to keep something to herself. She knew her sister had done the same regarding her feelings toward Rupert.
The trouble was that Tia now had conflicting feelings toward Lord Merriman.
On one hand, she could not forget the rude man who had treated her insensitively.
Then again, the earl had apologized to her last night for his behavior.
The apology had seemed genuine. She also was confused by that odd feeling which occurred when she had touched him.
Her feelings were completely muddled now.
She would need to think on things and work everything out before she broached the subject with her twin.
“Let us sit,” Lia suggested. “I want to hear everything from your perspective.”
They took a seat together on the settee, holding hands as they often did.
“I also wish to hear what you thought of your first ball,” she said. “Everything is not about me, simply because you are now wed. I thought you looked lovely last night in your ballgown. Did you experience queasiness?”
“No. That is reserved for early mornings only.” Lia chuckled. “This morning, I did not even rise until almost eleven.”
“I did the same. Town hours during the Season are certainly different from those in the country.”
“I have done what has been suggested and kept bread by my bed. I tear off tiny pieces and nibble on them. It does seem to work. Though my belly still roils as I awake, it does calm with the bread. Rupert is pleased. He was becoming worried about me retching all the time.”
“Rupert is going to be just like Julian and Val, acting like a mother hen where you are concerned,” she teased.
They spent several minutes talking about some of the ballgowns they had liked, as well as discussing the midnight buffet.
“I tried not to let my eyes pop out when I saw the display of food,” Tia said. “Of course, I was starving by the time we sat to eat. Thank Rupert for allowing the baron and me to join you for supper.”
“It was enjoyable,” her sister agreed. “And I did like the baron. He was most jovial.”
“Alas, Mama did not like him one whit. You should have heard her go on and on in the carriage as we made our way home last night.”
Lia frowned. “What did Mama not like about him? He seemed a most amiable sort.”
“The fact that he was a baron.”
Both girls burst out laughing, then Tia did an impression of her mother, berating Tia for dancing with a lowly baron and then deigning to spend supper with him.
Lia wiped tears away from laughing so hard. “You do Mama justice. I still do not understand why she is so focused on you wedding a man of high rank.”
“She was pleased when Ariadne wed a marquess. You, on the other hand, only wed a viscount. I suppose it is up to me to bolster the Worthington family’s reputation and set my cap for a duke. Perhaps Reddington will do.”
“He was quite nice,” Lia said. She studied Tia a moment. “I cannot tell if you are teasing me now, or if you are truly interested in His Grace.”
“Reddington seemed nice enough. The trouble is that I barely got to speak to anyone last night after being introduced to so many. I know Mama had warned us that a ball was not the ideal situation to get to know someone. It is much too difficult to talk to a gentleman during a dance. I did visit with a few of them after we had danced and before the next set began, but the topics were very safe ones.”
“The weather?” Lia inquired. “Of everyone I met last night, that seemed to be the subject by default.” She shook her head. “I must say that I am grateful to have wed Rupert and not be going through what you are, my sweet sister. So, tell me about a few of the gentlemen who did stand out to you.”
Tia mentioned the baron, along with Reddington and a viscount. She did not say a word about Lord Merriman.
“We should go to the drawing room now and look at your bouquets. I will admit that I stopped by there before coming to see you. Numerous flower arrangements filled the room, and more were being brought in as I left.”
Why did Tia’s first thought go to whether or not Lord Merriman had sent flowers to her?
She shrugged it off and stood, knowing the earl most definitely had not sent a bouquet. Linking arms with her twin, they ventured to the drawing room, where Mama and Eden were already present. She was glad she would have both of them nearby.
“Look at all the wonderful flowers which have come for you!” her sister-in-law exclaimed. “I am in awe that the drawing room looks like a garden.”
Eden had never made her come-out into Polite Society. Though her father had been a viscount, she had been forced from her home when her cousin inherited the title, earning her living as a governess. This Season was also Eden’s first glimpse into Polite Society.
Mama crisply said, “Look at the cards accompanying each arrangement, Thermantia. I have already done so, making note of each and the title the sender holds. Remember, the larger the bouquet, the more a gentleman is interested in you.”
She and Lia went from one arrangement to the next, reading the cards. In truth, Tia was a bit overwhelmed at the number of gentlemen who had sent flowers to her.
When they had made a complete round of the room, she said, “Mama, I do not recall meeting some of the gentlemen who sent me flowers.”
“There may have been a few who did not receive an introduction to you, Thermantia. Still, they are showing their interest in you by sending an arrangement, hoping to gain your notice. Over the course of the next few weeks, you will meet all of them.”
She fretted that too many men’s interests was twofold—that she was a duke’s sister and that she possessed a fat dowry. Tia voiced that fear now.
Mama looked at her sternly. “It is natural for you to draw interest because you are Millbrooke’s sister.
That fact alone makes you one of the most sought-after girls of the Season.
You could be a hunchback and bald, and you would still have men vying for your hand.
And yes, there will be those who seek to court you not only for your social standing in Polite Society but the fact that your dowry is more than adequate. ”
Her mother’s words filled Tia with dismay. “Then how am I to even know if someone likes me for me?”
Her mother replied, “That is why you have Millbrooke and me. Dyer, too. We will help guide you in your choice of a husband. I know much about the families these gentlemen come from, while your brother and cousin will know more about a man’s reputation and intentions.”
Mama’s tone softened slightly, and she took Tia’s hand in hers. “You will soon receive several offers of marriage, Thermantia. I do not believe any man will offer for you today, but they will during the weeks to come.”
“How could they offer for me today?” she asked, bewildered. “I barely said two sentences to most of the bachelors I met at last night’s ball.”
“I have tried to explain to you that, for the most part, marriage is a business arrangement. It is to gain social standing within the ton. Unite powerful families. You will not know the gentlemen who offer for you very well. You may dance with them a handful of times. Perhaps stroll through the gardens with them at a garden party. It is not as if you are to become friends with them.”
“But that is exactly what I do wish to do, Mama. I want to get to know the man I will spend the rest of my life with before we wed. What is the point of the Season if not to deepen a friendship and hopefully see it blossom?”
Mama sniffed. “You young people have such odd ideas regarding marriage these days. The old ways are tried and true. At least you will have a bit of say in whom you wish to wed. In my day, many marriages were arranged without giving the bride any voice in the matter. You did whatever your parents told you to do.”
“I will not allow that to happen,” Val said, joining them.
“Tia is not going to be forced to wed anyone she has not gotten to know well.” His gaze turned upon her.
“You will receive a good number of offers to wed. I expect them to start coming in by the end of this week or next. Some of the men will speak to you first regarding their intentions. Others will approach me and not mention a word to you. I will make you aware of the gentlemen who speak to me, but I will not make any arrangements with them. You are to be a part of this, every step of the way, Tia.”
Val turned his attention back to Mama. “I did not wish to interrupt you in the carriage last night, but you were wrong to berate Tia for supping with a baron. I want my sister to be as happy as I am with Eden. As happy as our other sisters are with their spouses. If Tia wishes to wed a baron, she will have my approval—and yours, Mama.”
Mama opened her mouth to speak and thought better of it.
Nodding, she merely said, “I understand, Millbrooke.” Looking to Tia, she added, “I do wish for you to be happy. You will not be forced into a marriage by either of us. Unless you are foolish enough to be compromised, and then you will have no say in the matter.”