Chapter Two
Marina
The next morning, Marina was still reeling from the dinner party.
Who did Evan think he was, coming in so high-handed about who she might show an interest in?
Her rage toward him, as well as at herself, consumed her to the point of sleeplessness as their conversation played on an endless loop in her mind.
There were so many more things she should have said to the intolerable man, all of which would have made his ears bleed.
She sprung from her bed with an exasperated sigh, deciding that she wouldn’t sleep.
If seeing that wretched bounder hadn’t been enough, then one of her dearest friends, Diana, thought she might make a match with Evan.
Of all ridiculous notions, her friend was set that he would make a practical match for her.
Marina splashed water from the basin after she had plunged a cloth into the cool water with added force.
Of all foolish notions to think that anything about Evan Villiers was practical.
But her friend would not see reason. She even thought to encourage a kiss with the man so he would be aware of her intentions.
And Marina couldn’t allow that to happen. Evan would just take advantage of Diana and then leave her ruined and miserable. Diana deserved far better than that.
Marina washed her face and then set the cloth aside. She had deserved better, too.
After Millie helped her dress, she took a breakfast tray in her room. With any luck she would be able to avoid her father for the day. She was wound far too tight, and a single word from her father might send her flying over the edge.
Unfortunately, she’d barely finished her toast when Millie appeared again. “Lady Marina, his lordship requests your presence in his study.”
Requests. As if she had any choice in the matter.
She finished her breakfast with agonizing slowness, until she knew she couldn’t keep him waiting any longer. It was her silent victory over her father that she didn’t tend to him immediately.
When she entered his study, her father sat behind his massive oak desk, the very picture of control and authority befitting the Earl of Sidmouth. The morning light streaming through the windows behind him cast his face in shadow, but she could see his frown well enough.
“Marina. Sit.”
She remained standing. “You wished to see me, Papa?”
“The Fletcher Ball is tonight.”
“I’m aware.” She knew she tested his patience, but she didn’t care.
His jaw tightened at her tone. “You will attend. You will dance. You will be charming.”
“As always.”
“Don’t take that tone with me, daughter.” He stood, coming around the desk. “I am referring to how you will behave around Minto. He has expressed particular interest in seeing you there.”
Her stomach turned. The men were long-standing friends, and over the last few years, she’d caught the man’s eyes lingering on her longer than they should have. Who would wish to marry such a man?
“How delightful for him.”
“Marina—”
“I’m not marrying him, Papa.”
The words hung between them like a challenge. Her father’s face darkened.
“You will marry whom I tell you to marry. You’ve had a Season already to find someone suitable, and you’ve done nothing but turn your nose up at every eligible gentleman.”
“Perhaps because my definition of eligible differs from yours.” She thought of Evan, then brutally shoved the thought away. “Minto is old enough to be my father. He looks at me like—”
“Like a man looks at his future wife. You should be flattered by his attention.”
“Flattered?” Marina’s voice rose. “The man has been leering at me since I was five-and-ten!”
“Lower your voice.” Her father spat through gritted teeth. “You will dance with Minto. You will be pleasant. And you will stop this childish resistance to a perfectly suitable match.”
“Suitable for whom? Certainly not for me.”
“For this family. He will settle a fortune on you, giving you a large amount of pin money and your own estate. You would be afforded more comforts than most. And the connection would be advantageous.”
“Advantageous.” Marina laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Of course. How foolish of me to hope for affection, respect, or even basic compatibility in a marriage.”
Her father’s hand slammed onto the desk. “Enough! You think you know better than me? You think your romantic notions matter more than securing your future?”
“I think I should have some say in who I spend the rest of my life with!”
“You are my daughter and my responsibility. Your say is what I allow it to be, and what is for the good of this family.” He returned to his seat, dismissing her with a flippant wave.
“Appear at your best. Dance with Minto. And Marina? If you embarrass me tonight with your willfulness, there will be consequences.”
“There always are,” she muttered, turning on her heel.
“What was that?”
“Nothing, Papa. May I be excused?”
He didn’t bother to respond to her, already returning to his papers.
She huffed and stormed from the study, her hands clenched into fists. How dare he? How dare he treat her like property to be bartered to the highest bidder? Even if legally, that is exactly what she was.
A footman stopped her in the hallway, holding a silver tray. “A letter for you, my lady. Just arrived.”
She recognized Diana’s handwriting immediately. And somehow she knew that her day was only going to get worse.
Dearest Marina,
You appeared concerned with my plan for this evening, but I must determine if Lord Ockham and I might suit.
And a moonlit terrace can be quite illuminating, don’t you think?
I do hope you’ll help ensure we have a moment alone.
And understand why this is what is practical given my intentions for the season.
Your devoted friend,
Diana
Marina crumpled the note, then thought better of it and smoothed it out. Evidence of Diana’s foolishness might be needed later.
Her friend had no idea what she was walking into. If she gave him the chance, Evan would charm her, make her believe she was special, then discard her the moment something more important arose. Just as he’d done to Marina.
She climbed the stairs to her chamber, Diana’s letter clutched in her hand. Her father wanted her to dance with Minto. Diana wanted her to help secure time alone with Evan. Evan wanted her to stay away from his friends. Everyone wanted something from her. And they had all gone completely mad.
Well, they could all go hang. That was a bit too hard for Diana, she supposed. But her friend was certainly still in need of good sense.
Tonight, she would have to see him again. Watch him deploy that devastating charm on Diana or some other innocent lady. That viper, Lady Theodosia, would throw herself at him the moment she saw him. Evan deserved a life with someone as miserable as the vicious gossip.
But even if it would be miserable, she didn’t want to imagine him with anyone else. Not that she could ever say those words out loud.
Marina had never told her friends about her time with Evan prior to last season, and she hoped they would never find out.
Not that she didn’t trust them. They would take her secret to their grave in order to ensure her reputation remained intact.
Her pride wouldn’t allow her to tell them how the man had jilted her.
Well, not exactly jilted, but that was beside the point.
As Marina entered her chamber, she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
Her gown for the evening hung on her wardrobe door, taunting her.
She would wear it because she had no choice.
She would dance with Minto because refusing would make things worse.
She would watch Diana attempt to build her practical match with Evan.
But she didn’t have to like any of it.
And if Evan thought he could ruin another innocent while she stood by and watched, he was about to learn that Marina Osborne was nobody’s temporary anything.
Not anymore.