Chapter Eight
Marina
Marina sat at her dressing table while Millie worked her dark curls into something presentable to face the day.
The morning sun streamed through her window, but she found no joy in the beautiful day.
Not when all she could think about was Evan…
and how incensed her father had been when they departed from the ball.
A knock at her door interrupted her brooding. Her father entered without waiting for permission, dismissing Millie with a wave.
“Papa, is something amiss?” Although she knew exactly why he had come. He told her that they would discuss Minto again today. It was too much to hope that he might have forgotten.
“Marina, you have been avoiding Minto.”
“What do you mean? I didn’t see him.” She shrugged, feigning ignorance.
“We both know better than that.” He folded his arms, his expression stern. “Even a dance with the man would placate him for the time being. Can’t you understand that?”
“Why is this so important to you? Why are you so intent on me considering his offer?”
He ran his hand down his face, and for a moment, she saw exhaustion in his features. “I’m not explaining this to you again. His offer is the best one you will receive and will ensure your security.”
Marina sighed. “Papa—”
Her father held his hand up to stop her from speaking. “You have three days, Marina. I can’t put Minto off any longer than that. Three days to produce another suitor, or I will be forced to accept Minto’s offer.”
Her stomach turned. “You cannot be serious.”
“This is bigger than your romantic notions, daughter. There are… considerations you don’t understand. Obligations that must be met.” His jaw tightened. “Three days. That is all I can give you.”
He turned on his heel and exited her chamber before she could protest further.
Marina slumped in her chair, fighting the bile rising in her throat. Three days. And she knew her father meant what he said. He wasn’t a man known for jests. She would need to find a potential husband immediately if she wanted to avoid a life with Minto.
When had her father become such an unfeeling man? He hadn’t always been that way, other than where her mother was concerned.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she knew she must clear her head to come to the best solution to her problem. She needed air, space to think clearly about her predicament.
“Millie,” she called, and her maid reappeared immediately. “Fetch my pelisse and bonnet. We’re going for a walk in Hyde Park.”
Twenty minutes later, Marina walked along The Serpentine, her maid trailing a respectful distance behind.
The fresh air helped immensely, though her jaw remained clenched as she worked through her options.
Lord Weatherby might do. Or perhaps Lord Ashford—he’d shown interest last season.
She hadn’t necessarily expected a love match. Not until Evan.
Then Evan’s face flashed unbidden in her mind.
She shook off the thought immediately. The man had declined the opportunity to marry her before.
Declined was far too kind of a word. He’d ripped her heart into tiny pieces.
She wouldn’t beg him to save her from Minto, no matter how her traitorous heart raced whenever he was near.
She kicked a rock in her path.
“Well, aren’t we in a mood this afternoon?”
She looked up from the path, her pulse quickening despite herself. Evan stood before her, handsome as always, that insufferable smirk playing at his lips.
“Must you follow me everywhere I go?” She narrowed her eyes at him, irritated that her very thoughts seemed to have summoned him.
“You’re just so beautiful and enticing. I can’t help myself.”
She rolled her eyes, noting that Millie had fallen several steps back, further out of earshot. “Has flattery ever worked for you, my lord?”
He pretended to contemplate her question. “Well, perhaps no longer with you, but I’m sure some ladies would find me charming, indeed.”
“Then go seek them out and leave me alone.” She attempted to walk around him, but he smoothly stepped into her path.
“Oh, come now, Marina. Surely a public stroll with me wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” He extended his arm toward her. “You can tell me what has you ready to assault innocent pebbles.”
She didn’t take his arm but found herself pausing. “I don’t require your arm, but I suppose you may walk beside me. If you must.”
They fell into step together, and she cursed herself for the comfort she found in his presence. She was playing with fire, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“So…” he said after a moment, “What has you in such a state? And don’t say it’s nothing—you’ve been grinding your teeth since I approached.”
“If you must know, my father has given me three days to find a husband or he’ll accept Minto’s suit.”
The words escaped before she could stop them. Evan halted mid-stride, his entire demeanor changing.
“Three days? Marina, you cannot—Minto is—” He seemed to struggle for words, his hands clenching at his sides.
“I’m aware of what Minto is.” She resumed walking, forcing him to catch up. “Which is why I must find another option quickly.”
“Let me—” he started, then stopped himself.
She glanced at him sideways. “Let you what?”
He was quiet for a long moment, and when she looked at him fully, something in his expression made her heart ache. He looked… defeated.
“Do you ever think you might forgive me, Marina?” His voice was quiet, serious. “What must I do?”
She stopped walking and faced him properly. “Do something that proves you are actually sorry. That I have any reason to believe you are in earnest and deserve forgiveness. That there is some reason that justified the cruelty that you showed me.”
They stood there staring at each other. Something in his eyes reminded her of that first day in the field, when she’d believed…no she had known that he was everything she’d ever wanted.
The church bells chimed the hour, breaking the spell.
“I must go,” she said, motioning to Millie.
“Marina—”
“Please don’t.” She couldn’t bear to hear whatever he might say. Not when she had three days to save herself and he certainly wasn’t an option. “Just… don’t.”
She walked away before he could stop her, refusing to look back. If she did, she might do something foolish like run into his arms. And that would only lead to heartache.
He had already proven that she couldn’t count on him. She couldn’t trust that he would be there for her when she needed him.
As she hurried home, one thought consumed her: she had to find a husband. And it couldn’t be Evan Villiers, no matter how much her traitorous heart wished otherwise.