Chapter Seventeen
Marina
Marina waited until her mother had finished with her bath before taking a seat in her parlor. She’d cried alone in her room for a while, regretting so much about the way her relationship with her father had changed over the last year.
She appreciated how hard she laughed when she heard Minto shouting at their butler to let him in.
His voice boomed throughout the house, and she worried for a moment that he might barrel past poor Brooks.
Minto would return, but at least the man would realize he could no longer throw his weight around with their family.
She could breathe easier knowing that she was no longer expected to wed the horrid man.
Her mother was stoic as she poured them each a cup of tea, passing Marina’s cup to her. “I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“Are you all right, Mama?” Marina sipped her tea, closing her eyes to indulge in the comfort the warm tea brought her. It would take a while to come to terms with her father’s unexpected passing and how it would impact all their lives.
“I’ll be fine, dearest. I’m more in shock than anything.” Her mother narrowed her eyes at Marina. “I’m assuming we have a wedding to plan, do we not?”
Marina smiled softly. “If you are all right with Evan and me marrying soon, we would like to. We feel it would be best to do so as soon as possible and to quit town for the foreseeable future.”
Her mother nodded. “We will all need to leave town for a while. It is to be our mourning period anyhow, so I will inform your brother we must retire to the country after your wedding.” She gave her daughter a small smile. “It is so nice you will live close by. I will spoil my grandchildren.”
Marina blushed, which wasn’t a normal look for her. “I’m sure you will, Mama.”
“I guess I’ll have to get used to sharing them with your father’s mistress.”
Marina’s eyes widened. “You knew?”
“Of course I knew, dearest, though I’m not sure how you did.
” Her mother arched a brow at her, and Marina winced.
“Your father and I never loved each other. It didn’t bother me so much, but I never felt right doing so for myself.
All I asked was for him to keep it a secret so I wouldn’t be the subject of gossip and pity. ”
“It does not signify how I knew,” Marina said. “But Mama, you deserved better. You should never have allowed Papa to treat you as such.”
Her mother patted her hand. “It doesn’t signify now. I am just so happy you are marrying someone who loves you. I can see it in the way he looks at you. He truly loves you, Marina. He will never betray his vows.” Tears misted her eyes. “It was all I ever hoped for you.”
It was all she ever hoped for, too. She hadn’t said the words to him yet. But she already knew he had a firm grip on her heart, and she never wanted him to release it.
Marina clasped her mother’s hand. “You are quite wonderful and beautiful, Mama. You shouldn’t give up on the chance of finding love, especially now.”
“I can’t think about that right now, dearest. I will mourn your father out of respect, and we’ll see how I feel about things next year.” She offered a meek smile.
Marina would mourn her father, too. She didn’t want to think about that right now and refilled her teacup, hoping her silence might shift the conversation.
“So, can I expect your betrothed is going to sneak into your window tonight?” Her mother stared at her with a knowing smirk.
“Mama!”
Her mother laughed. “It is the way of love matches.”
The expression on her mother’s face changed, and she sighed. It must have been so difficult for her mother to never experience love with her husband. It would be an intriguing challenge to help her mother find a match worthy of her hand.
“We didn’t make any plans for him to visit. He wanted to ask Arthur for permission for us to wed, and then he must have left.”
“Oh, you just watch,” she said knowingly. “He will show up tonight. I shan’t say anything to your brother.”
Marina’s heart clung to the hope that her mother’s words held true. As she grappled with the weight of mourning her father and her desire to be away from town and Minto, a yearning surged within her. She craved Evan’s embrace.
Her thoughts danced with desire, hoping she and Evan might anticipate their vows. She wasn’t sure she wished to wait. The mere notion ignited a scorching blush that painted her cheeks crimson. The memory of his gentle caresses and passionate kisses reverberated through her body, setting her aflame.
She forced herself to focus on the conversation with her mother.
“I wouldn’t mind if he did,” she admitted. “But he might not. It’s been a long day.”
“You are quite right,” her mother said, nodding.
“The dinner trays should be up soon.” Arthur’s voice came from the other side of the room as he strode in and plopped into a chair next to Marina’s. “The solicitor has been notified about Father and instructed to draw up your marriage contracts, sister.”
She patted her brother’s arm. “Thank you.”
“You have yourself a good man there,” Arthur said. “I think he’ll be a great addition to our little family.”
“I quite agree.” She was already certain she was making the right choice, but the heartfelt words of her family about her betrothed filled her with an even greater anticipation of finally speaking their vows.
Their mother poured Arthur a cup of tea, added the cream and sugar the way he preferred, and handed it to him.
“What will you do about university, Arthur?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. Can I still attend? Don’t I have many responsibilities here?”
“Of course you may attend, and you should. A gentleman’s education is important. We can tend to things here. You also have stewards looking after things who can send you reports. It’s not ideal, but we can manage,” Lady Sidmouth said.
Arthur beamed. “I wish to attend university, Mother.”
Marina jumped into the conversation. “Evan and I will be just an estate over. I am certain we can help, too.”
Brooks cleared his throat in the doorway. “Would you like the trays all brought here?”
“That would be perfect, Brooks,” their mother said. “Thank you.” She shifted her attention to her children. “I don’t think I’m ready to be alone with my thoughts for the evening just yet.”
Both of them nodded in agreement. Somber silence hung between them.
To distract them from the gravity of the day, Arthur transitioned the conversation to more stories from his time at school.
As he animatedly spoke about his academic achievements, it was a welcome distraction from the grief of the day.
Marina couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in Arthur’s eyes as he recounted his desire to pursue further education.
Marina’s stomach growled, reminding her she had hardly eaten all day. She would finish every bite of food on her plate and not feel the least sorry for it.
Brooks returned to direct the staff in setting up their dinner trays. Once they were settled with their meal, Marina ignored the chatter between her mother and her brother. She enjoyed her dinner while her mind wandered to thoughts of Evan, her heart fluttering with anticipation.
She eagerly awaited the moment she would become his wife.
The arduous journey they had taken to reach this point flashed through her mind.
She recalled the day outside the hunting cabin, where anger consumed her, and she swore she would hate him forever.
She could finally admit to herself that she had long ago already given him a piece of her heart.
There was no other man who could bring her true happiness.
They were destined for each other. If only the bacon-brained man hadn’t taken so long figuring it out.
She mentally scolded herself, her brows furrowing with frustration.
She had forgiven him and wouldn’t hold the past against him.
The past was the past, and the only thing important now was for them to build their future together.
As she reflected on her own actions, she felt a pang of guilt, the bitterness of her past words still lingering on her tongue.
“Don’t you agree, dearest?” her mother asked.
Marina’s attention snapped back to her family. “What did you ask?”
Both her mother and brother laughed at her. “Woolgathering, sister?”
“Leave her alone, Arthur. She’s in love. I only hope that you’ll marry for the same thing.”
Arthur groaned. “Mother, you will not start pushing me to wed, will you? I may be the earl now, but I’m only eight-and-ten.”
She waved him off. “Of course not, son. You must attend university and experience life so that you can find your match. Marriage can come later.”
His eyes widened, and he stared in disbelief at his mother. “You mean you will not push me to get an heir as soon as possible to save the title and whatever other reason that mamas of the ton come up with?”
“I intend to keep you safe and well for many, many years, and hopefully for long after I am gone. If something should happen to you, I shan’t be worried about anything as shallow as a title. Your happiness is far more important.” She reached forward and clasped her son’s hand.
“You are the best of mothers. I am sorry I never noticed how unhappy you were,” Arthur said.
“How typical that a man doesn’t take notice of what a woman feels.” Marina scowled and rolled her eyes. “I only hope you figure it out before you take a wife.”
Their mother jumped in before Arthur could offer a retort. “Now, now, my children. It is true I didn’t love your father, nor did he love me. But I wouldn’t have you two if it weren’t for our marriage, and I will remain eternally grateful for you both.”
“I love you, Mama,” Marina said.
A couple of tears ran down her mother’s cheeks. She wiped them away and then clasped her hands together. “I think I shall read for a while before I settle in for bed.”
“I’m going to retire to my chamber, too,” Marina said.