Chapter Fourteen
Marina
Marina spent the entire first part of the day hiding in her chamber, just as she had promised Evan.
She only had a matter of hours to wait until she could run off with the man who would be her husband.
The thought brought a smile to the corners of her lips.
Regardless of the situation, she wanted to be his wife, and everything else that came with it.
She lounged on the settee in her room with a book in hand. Having reread the same page over and over, she couldn’t say that she had been reading. Mostly she was holding the book and waiting for night to come.
Her door creaked open and closed, pulling her attention to determine who had entered. “Marina, Arthur has arrived.” Her mother crossed the room and urged her daughter to stand. “We must listen. He is confronting your father now.”
Marina let the book fall to the floor and took her mother’s hand. “Let us go now.”
The women made their way to the door outside of Papa’s study. It was closed, but the closer they got, they heard raised voices. Both women positioned themselves outside the door and froze in place to hear as much as they could.
“Father, you must cease this folly at once. You can’t marry Marina to that vile man. Marina can do much better.”
Marina smiled, thankful her brother was on her side.
“He is an earl,” her father said.
“I don’t give a damn what his title is. He isn’t good enough for Marina. End it now, Father.”
“It can’t be undone.”
“Have you already signed the contracts, then?” Arthur asked.
“No, but I have given my word.”
“You gave your word to your daughter, too. So break your word to the man and set Marina free.”
Marina beamed. She almost felt bad for the pranks she and her brother played on each other as kids. Almost.
“I will not. You must trust me that this is the best course.”
“You have given me no reason to trust you in this matter, Father,” Arthur countered. “There is no way you missed the nefarious looks he has given Marina for years. He will be a dreadful husband to her. I won’t allow it.”
“You are not the earl yet, my boy, and you have no say in the matter.”
“Then explain it to me, Father. Explain to me why you are giving Marina to this man.”
There was a pause. The only sound was Marina’s rapid breathing.
“I don’t like this any more than you do, son. Of course I know Marina deserves better.”
Marina gasped. It took every ounce of her control to keep from barging into the room and strangling her father.
“Then why, Father?”
“My ladies,” their butler Brooks said, startling both Marina and her mother. “There is a caller for you. Lady Powis. Should I show her to the drawing room?” He made no comment on their eavesdropping.
Marina glanced at her mother and shrugged. They both stepped further away from the study door to avoid detection. “Yes, please.”
The ladies found themselves torn between their insatiable curiosity and their obligation to be polite to their guest. But Diana must have a reason for calling. Once the women reached the study, they found Diana standing near a window.
“Diana,” Marina said, “I didn’t expect you back in town for a few more days.”
Diana shifted her gaze between Marina and her mother. “I heard of your betrothal and thought you might be in need of assistance.”
“You may speak candidly in front of Mama. She would be happy to see me relieved of this situation,” Marina said.
Her mother motioned for everyone to take a seat. “I may never speak to my husband again after this,” Lady Sidmouth said.
“As if that’s some significant loss,” Marina huffed.
“What happened?” Diana asked.
Marina lowered her voice and shared the events surrounding her betrothal to Minto. After she finished telling her friend all the details, she tilted her head to the side. “How did you know to come so swiftly?”
“Graham and I decided to return a few days sooner, and we happened across Evan. His man keeping watch on things here informed him of your brother’s arrival. I came to see if you required assistance, or to relay a message back to Evan.”
A loud commotion caught all the ladies’ attention.
“Father! Father!” Arthur called after the earl. The ladies rushed into the hall to see his back as he left toward the mews. Arthur stood in the foyer, running his hands through his hair.
“Arthur, what is going on?” Marina asked.
“I’m not certain. We were discussing the matter of your betrothal,” he said, the last word filled with disdain, “when he jumped up and said he must leave.”
“Why? Where is he going? To see Minto?” their mother asked.
Arthur shrugged. “I was setting him down for this abhorrent decision, and the next thing I knew, he was fleeing.”
Marina pulled her brother into a hug. “I sure am glad to see you, brother.”
He pulled back and took her hands in his. “I will do all I can to get you out of this.”
She nodded in reply. She hadn’t told her mother of her plan to flee to Gretna Green in order to protect her, in case she was questioned. Marina would apologize for keeping the secret from her mother and brother as soon as she was safely out of Minto’s reach.
“Why don’t we return to the drawing room, and I’ll ring for tea,” their mother suggested.
Marina and Diana shared a settee, while Arthur and Lady Sidmouth each occupied nearby chairs.
Diana told Marina about her new country home while they waited.
Once the tea cart had been brought in, Lady Sidmouth poured out for everyone while they each made a few selections.
Marina wasn’t hungry, but the warmth of the tea helped to calm her nerves.
Why had her father rushed out in such a hurry?
A little more than an hour had passed since her father left. “How long do you think Papa will be gone?” Marina asked.
“I do not know. Your guess is as good as mine,” Arthur said.
Marina tapped her hand on her thigh. She glanced at Diana. “I am surprised Graham hasn’t come to retrieve you yet.”
“I left him with Evan, and I’m sure the two of them have worn holes in Evan’s fine carpets from pacing.” She laughed.
They heard a commotion at the door.
“Well, speak of the devil. I’m sure that’s them,” Marina said.
Brooks, their butler, appeared. He focused his attention on Arthur. “My lord, you have a visitor who must speak with you right away.”
“Who?” Arthur asked, rising.
Brooks glanced at the ladies and gazed back at Arthur. “Perhaps it is best if we speak in the hall, my lord.”
Marina shot up. “What has happened, Brooks?”
Arthur said, “Just tell me who it is, Brooks. My sister will either barge in or listen at the door either way.” He shot her a knowing glance.
“It’s the magistrate, my lord.”