Chapter Twelve
Marina
Marina looked at the 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.
She only 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.”
“If you hadn’t allowed Minto to see you sneaking off with the man, he wouldn’t have felt the need to press his suit. To force my hand—”
She leaned over her father’s desk, bracing herself on her hands. “To force your hand for what?”
Her father squared his shoulders and his face hardened. “I am your father, and I know what is best for you. You will do as I say and will see in time that you will be content.”
“You could give me three lifetimes and I would never find contentment with Minto. He has attempted to sneak inappropriate touches upon my person since I was five-and-ten when he thought you were not looking. Why do you think I refuse to go near the man? Do you truly believe this is a man worthy of marrying your daughter?”
Her father grimaced, and she saw a flicker of remorse in his eyes before he hardened. “You will have the next few weeks to accept it. I have ensured that the banns will be read and there will be no talk of a special license to give you time to adjust to what is expected of you.”
“Do you expect me to thank you, Papa? The fate is still the same. I’m trapped in a life of misery either way.”
Her father rose from his desk and clasped his hands behind his back. “Minto will be here any moment. You will be on your best behavior.”
She scoffed and said, “I make no such promise.”
“Marina, do not disobey me.” Her father narrowed his eyes, his expression pinched.
Before she could offer a retort, Minto was announced, and Marina’s entire body stiffened.
“Good day, Sidmouth. Lady Marina.” The way he said her name made her shudder.
“Good to see you, Minto,” her father replied, but she noted again that he didn’t appear to mean his word.
Marina said nothing, attempting to feign indifference to the odious man’s presence.
Minto laughed. “I wanted to get a good look at my betrothed.” He reached for her hand, and she pulled it out of reach. “Oh, come now, is that any way to greet your future husband?”
“You will never be my husband,” she ground out.
“We may not have signed the contracts yet, but I assure you that you will be my wife.” His gaze shifted to her breasts, and he licked his lips. “In every way.”
Her father cleared his throat. “We can discuss the marriage settlements next week. My solicitor is working on the paperwork.”
“Papa, you don’t really intend to marry me off to this—” she waved her hand “—man.”
“Marina,” her father hissed. “Do not disrespect your future husband.” His glare begged her to comply.
Minto waved him off. “It’s no matter. She will come to accept the situation. I have already put it around White’s that we are betrothed, so the whole ton will know soon enough. There will be no backing out from you.”
Clenching her fists, Marina dug half-moon imprints into her palms. “Of course you did.”
A smirk played on Minto’s lips. “I like your spirit, Lady Marina. Our marriage is going to be quite enjoyable.”
That’s what he thinks. She would be long gone to the Americas before she married him, if that were what it took.
Or even find herself in a scandalous situation with another man.
She cared very little what society might think or what they would say about her.
That was Minto and her father’s problem.
Her father should have thought better than to sell his own daughter for whatever it was that Minto had over him.
But no good could come from continuing to antagonize Minto and her father.
Best that the man not get an idea to wed sooner, so she’d have enough time to get herself out of this situation.
She clasped her hands in front of her and hoped this conversation would be over soon so she might plan her escape.
Her father filled the silence. “I shall have my wife work on the ceremony details and plans for the wedding breakfast.”
“Very well. I wish for us to be married as soon as the banns are read.” His gaze fixed again on her breasts. Marina fought the urge to cover them.
“Consider it done,” her father said. “I will inform my wife and she will see to all the arrangements.”
Minto caught her hand before she could move away from him. He pulled her palm to his lips, pretending to kiss it, but ran his tongue along her skin, closing his eyes before staring her down. “I shall see you soon.”
She swallowed hard and pinched her lips shut. Once he released her hand, she wiped it on her skirts. Refusing him the satisfaction of a retort, she offered a curt nod.
“I shall take my leave. I’ll see you at our club soon, Sidmouth.” The disgusting man departed and once she heard the front door close, she started toward the stairs.
Her father called after her. “Marina.” His tone was almost apologetic, which stoked the fire within Marina even more than before.
“What?” She faced him.
“I understand why you are upset, but—”
She took a couple of steps closer to him. “You don’t understand a damn thing.” He flinched at her remarks. She had never cursed in front of her father before.
“I’m going to speak frankly,” she said, “so you might comprehend what my life shall be. Thanks to you, I am expected to let that beast of a man crawl on top of me whenever he wishes. Even if I do not allow him to do so, do you think that shall matter? I shall be at his mercy. Do you think he’s going to treat me with care, or do you think he’s going to use me to fulfill all the wicked desires he’s had since I was a girl? ”
Her father swallowed hard and shifted on his feet. He didn’t meet her eye, and she thought his eyes might have tears welled in the corners.
At his silence she shook her head. “That’s what I thought,” she ground out. “I think you understand now. We’ll see what kind of father you are if you make me go through with this.” She turned on her heels and didn’t look back.
Her father didn’t deserve an ounce of her respect, and she would not give him the satisfaction of pretending to give it. Tears wet her cheeks as she stormed up the stairs, finding her mother at the top of the staircase.
“Marina, what is the matter, dearest? I thought I heard yelling.”
Marina stopped next to her mother. She could not speak and just looked at her. All the pain, anger, and fear she had for her fate reflected in her gaze.
“Marina, did something happen?” her mother asked, her concern growing.
She opened her mouth to speak and clamped it shut again. She fisted her hands, and tears streamed down both of her cheeks.
“Come here.” Her mother wrapped her arms around her and hugged her close. Marina’s body shook with fury and sadness. “Follow me.” Taking her hand, her mother led her to her private parlor.
“Tell me what has happened, Marina.” Her mother handed her a handkerchief.
Marina blotted her eyes and stared down at her hands for several moments. “Papa has just informed me I am to marry Minto.”
Her mother gasped. “He didn’t. Oh, Marina. How could he?” She pulled her daughter close and embraced her. “I will speak with him.”
Marina sniffed. “I don’t think there is anything you can do. He seems set on this.”
“But what about Lord Ockham?” she asked. “I believe he is interested in marrying you.”
“I told him, Mama. Papa said he won’t approve the match.”
Her mother shook her head, disbelief on her face as she said, “I never thought your father could be this cruel.”
“Neither did I.” Marina leaned against her mother, letting the weight of it all hang between them. She shot forward. “We must write to Arthur, Mama. Right away. He is the only one Papa listens to. Perhaps Arthur can convince him of how wrong this is.”
“Yes,” Mama said. “I will pen the missive right now and have it sent post haste.” Her mother moved to her writing desk and penned the missive before ringing for a footman to ensure its delivery.
Marina hated herself for it, but in her frustration, she blamed Evan for all that had occurred. If he’d married her last year, none of this would be happening. They would be married and living a contented life in each other’s arms, which was a far cry from her current fate.
All the men in her life were unfit to make any of her decisions. She could only hope that her brother remained the one man she could trust and that his efforts kept her from needing to escape in the night.
Because she would disappear and leave everyone she loved behind before she would accept Minto.