Chapter Fifteen
Marina
Marina wasn’t certain she had heard correctly. What could the magistrate want to meet with her brother about?
Arthur looked at his mother and sister. “Is there any chance you are going to let me speak to the man in private?”
They both shook their heads.
He rolled his eyes. “Very well, show the man in here.”
Diana started to take her leave, but Marina stopped her. “Stay. I may need you to relay a message.”
She locked eyes with her friend, ensuring she understood her meaning. Diana nodded and took Marina’s hand.
A tall, heavyset man followed Brooks into the room. Brooks departed and the man’s eyes widened when he noted the women before locking eyes with Arthur. “I thought we might speak privately.”
“The ladies may hear what you intend to share. I assure you, it will be easier this way.”
He looked unsure but spoke. “My apologies, ladies. I’m not sure how to say this.”
Arthur, losing his patience, urged him to continue.
“The earl was in a carriage accident.”
“What? Where is he now?” Lady Sidmouth asked. “Is he all right?”
A commotion rang out from the hallway. “My wife is in there. I must see her,” Graham, the Earl of Powis, said in a loud, sharp tone.
Brooks hurried into the room, just beating Graham and Evan’s arrival. “My apologies. I tried to keep Lord Ockham from entering.”
Lady Sidmouth waved him off. “It’s quite all right. As far as I’m concerned, he should always be allowed to call here.”
With a couple of long strides, Graham was at Diana’s side, wrapping his arm around her. Evan approached Marina.
“What has happened? Why is the magistrate here?” Evan asked. She noted the relief in his expression when she caught his gaze.
“He was just about to tell us. Something about a carriage accident,” Marina said.
Everyone in the room shifted focus to the magistrate, whose wide eyes indicated alarm for the party staring a hole into him.
“Right,” the man said, steeling himself. “I’m sorry to say that the earl did not survive the incident.”
Gasps rang out around the room. Marina stiffened, and her blood ran cold before Evan took her hand in his and gave it a soft squeeze.
“How did this happen?” Arthur asked.
“His carriage was going quite fast and broke an axle. He was thrown from the carriage and trampled by the horse of a passing rider.”
Lady Sidmouth sank into her chair, tears streaming down her red cheeks. “I can’t believe this.”
Arthur rushed to her side.
Marina watched the situation unfold, still unable to move. She was unhappy with her father, but she hadn’t wanted him to die. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and escaped in streams down her face.
“I am sorry to be the bearer of such awful news. I give my condolences,” the magistrate said. “But I must be on my way. I have another family to notify.”
“Another family?” Diana asked. “Was someone else involved in the accident?”
“Er…yes. There is another deceased.”
“Who? And was it because of the accident?” Evan asked.
The man shifted on his feet. “I should notify the family first.”
Marina found her voice. “Please tell us, sir. We must understand what has occurred.”
“Very well. The man was walking down the street when the event occurred and was hit by the carriage. It was Viscount Gordon.”
The gasps that broke out around the room were with a much stronger reaction than the news of Sidmouth’s passing. It was unfathomable to think that her friend, Juliana, was now a widow from this tragic chain of events.
“Edward? You are telling us that Edward is dead?” Diana asked, her voice cracking.
Graham spoke up. “We must let you leave so you can inform his wife. She is a dear friend of ours.”
The magistrate nodded. “I will update you if we learn anything else about the incident. Good day,” he added, but the words rang hollow in the silence of the room.
Graham encouraged Diana to sit as she had already begun to sob. The tears flowed much faster down Marina’s cheeks and her shoulders shook. Evan turned her to face him and pulled her into a tight embrace. He whispered in her ear, “All will be well, love.”
She buried her face in his neck. She hated for anyone to see her cry and if she could have held it in, she would have until she could hide in the privacy of her room. Her shoulders shook as he rubbed her back.
Her mother spoke to her brother. “You are the earl now, Arthur.”
Marina calmed herself, dried her tears, and turned toward her brother, offering him a small smile. “You will be a wonderful earl, brother.”
“I will have much to learn,” Arthur said.
“I can relate,” Graham said. “As I am sure Evan does, too. We can help you as you figure things out.”
“Thank you. That would be appreciated.”
Diana said something to Graham, and he nodded. They both stood and Diana embraced Marina. “Are you going to be all right?”
Marina nodded. “Yes. It’s still quite a shock. But I am quite worried about Juliana.”
“I am as well. Will you be all right if we take our leave and check on her?” Diana asked.
“I intend to stay with Marina for a while. She will be looked after,” Evan said, stepping closer to Marina and placing his hand on the small of her back.
Marina nodded and gave her friend another quick hug. “Please send me a note with an update on how Juliana is. I will see her as soon as I can.”
“Of course, dearest,” Diana said before she and Graham took their leave.
Arthur reached for the bell pull. A few moments later, Brooks entered the drawing room.
“Brooks, please confirm with us before allowing anyone entry. We are not home to the Earl of Minto today, should he come calling. He can return tomorrow after breakfast if he wishes to speak to me.”
Brooks nodded, and Arthur spoke again. “Also, order a bath for my mother. I believe we shall all wish to take trays in our chambers tonight.”
“Very well, my lord.” Brooks turned on his heel and departed.
“Sister, you will not be forced to marry Minto. I don’t care what arrangement Father made.”
Marina released a large breath of air. “Thank you, Arthur. I fear Minto is going to be rather forceful with you.”
“It does not signify. My mind won’t be swayed.” Arthur helped his mother to stand. “Come, Mother. We will get you upstairs.”
Evan stepped forward. “Might I have a word alone with your sister?”
“Does my sister wish to have a word alone with you?” Arthur looked at Marina, awaiting her response.
“I would, brother.”
Arthur nodded. “Very well. I shall see our mother upstairs and will leave you be.”
They departed, and Marina noted her brother closed the door to the drawing room when he left.
Evan embraced her. “Are you all right? You can tell me.”
He pulled back so that he could see her face.
“I will be fine. The shock will wear off, and we will adjust.” She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath before looking back at Evan’s. “Juliana just lost her husband. They haven’t even been married for a year. She’s going to be devastated.”
He tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “Leave it to you to be more worried about your friend.” Leaning toward her, he kissed her forehead. “We must discuss our change in plans for the evening.”
“Of course. Now that I no longer find myself forced to marry Minto, I won’t hold you to our plan, Evan. It was kind of you to offer, and I appreciate it very much.” She offered him a small smile.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“You don’t have to marry me. I know you only made the offer in order to save me. I won’t force you to follow through with this marriage when you don’t love me.”
With a heavy heart, she turned from him, shielding her emotions from his view. She had wanted nothing more than to marry him, but she couldn’t do so now, given the circumstances. He deserved to choose his bride, and she deserved to be chosen.
“Marina, don’t you see?” He moved to face her.
“I didn’t offer to marry you to save you.
I mean, of course I wanted to save you from that fate, but that wasn’t why.
I intended to ask you to marry me before I was called to the country.
Upon reflection, I regretted what happened between us in the field a year ago. I should have asked you then.”
She frowned and said, “I don’t want to marry you because you have regrets, Evan.”
“Let me say it plainly,” Evan said, a slight smile playing on his lips, “since you are missing the point. I love you, Lady Marina Osborne. If I am honest with myself, I have loved you since the first time you planted your hands on your hips and put me in my place. If I hadn’t been so full of pride and an utter idiot, we’d already be married. ”
He dropped to one knee.
“I only hope you will forgive me and agree to be my wife. Will you please marry me, Marina?”
He held the ring up to her and winked.
She watched him for a few moments before a smirk played across her lips. “Yes, I will marry you.”
He jumped up and swooped her into his arms, brushing his lips against hers.
“Can we marry right away? I know you are in mourning, but I can’t wait,” he said.
“I don’t want to wait,” she agreed, “and I am sure Mama can figure something out.”
Evan set her back on her feet and pulled her close. “We will still need to leave town. There will be scandal once you jilt Minto. Plus, he will be upset and who knows what the blackguard will do.”
“Of course. I shall discuss things with Mama later. She needs to rest now after the shock of the day. You will also need to speak with Arthur.” She laughed. “I can’t believe my younger brother now has a say over my future.”
“Do you think your brother will have any reason to object?” Evan asked.
“Object to what?” Arthur’s voice rang out from the doorway.