Chapter Four
‘You agreed?’ Candace asked later that day. The two were in Nora’s bedchamber.
‘I know it seems like an abrupt turnabout, but yes. Lord Ralston’s argument to marry was compelling.
’ Nora had also been surprised at his offer.
Just as surprised as she had been at her own consent.
He convincingly argued that he would support her biology research, even fund it.
And as a countess she would have influence.
The only catch: They’d have to share a bed to procure an heir.
‘I may not believe in selfless love, but you are different,’ Candace said.
Nora picked up a ribbon from her chest of drawers and ran it through her fingers. ‘Love? I’d never risk such a foolish emotion. It would jeopardize my scientific career.’
‘Hmm. I see.’
‘And what of the requisite heir?’ Candace sat on the edge of Nora’s bed and eyed her with sisterly concern.
Nora let out a long sigh. ‘I’m not opposed to children. In fact, the more I think about it, the nicer it sounds. I can teach him or her all about science and even the sea. My love would be for my child and my work only.’
Candace watched her closely. ‘And where would the Earl fall in all of this?’
‘He will be my partner. A businesslike partner. That’s what he seeks himself.’
‘A union without any affection sounds like a cold marriage.’
Nora sat beside her sister on the bed. ‘No! It sounds like a perfect one.’ Her mind was at ease for the first time in a long time. ‘Mother can’t still be mad about Baron Umbridge when she will be the mother-in-law to an earl. A very wealthy one, to boot!’
‘You’re right. But I’m still not sure you are making the right decision for the right reasons.’
‘I’m certain, and I’m ready to face Mother,’ Nora said. No doubt her mother wanted to discuss how best to announce the betrothal at the house party.
As if on cue, there was a single knock on Nora’s bedroom door, and Madeline Magarian swept inside with the force of a summer storm. ‘I still cannot believe your behavior, Nora. I almost fainted from the scandal!’
Her mother had never succumbed to vapors. Nora couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her cry. Not even when their father had died. She must have grieved in private.
‘Mother, I—’
Her mother planted her hands on her hips. ‘Heavens, I disapprove of how you did it, but you managed to snag an earl. An earl!’
Nora wanted to argue she hadn’t intentionally managed anything. In fact, she had plotted and planned to get out of marriage to Umbridge, a mere baron, only to find herself soon to be engaged to an earl.
‘The engagement must be announced before any more gossip travels,’ her mother said.
‘So soon? It hasn’t even been a full day.’ Even though she’d agreed to marry Ralston, she needed some time to adjust to the news herself.
‘A day is as long as a year when it comes to the scandal you caused.’
‘I hardly think—’
Her mother pursed her lips. ‘Do not think, Nora. Thinking is what always gets you into trouble.’
Nora bristled. ‘That’s not—’
‘Yes, it is. Your notion of being a scientist is absurd.’ The disapproval in her mother’s voice was ill-concealed.
Her mother kept cutting her off and Nora had to answer in a rush of words. ‘An interest in science is not absurd.’
‘It is for a lady.’
‘We are not titled and I’m not a lady.’
Her mother’s cheeks flamed red. ‘Precisely! You will be a countess!’
There was no sense arguing with her mother whose sole ambition was to obtain titles for her daughters.
Nora wished her father were still alive.
A Lebanese and Armenian man, he’d imported rare vases, carpets, jewelry, mother of pearl snuffboxes and other collectables from the Middle East that were in demand by the ton and the upper classes.
He had surprisingly modern notions and would often indulge his daughter’s whims. Not that science was a whim, but he’d listened to Nora read a book on invertebrates she’d borrowed from Hookham’s Circulating Library, and he’d gifted her beautiful shells from the Mediterranean Sea.
He would have disagreed with her mother’s matchmaking with Lord Umbridge.
He’d never consent to such a marriage contract.
‘Perhaps you can wait another day before announcing the betrothal, Mother, so that Nora can come to accept the Earl,’ Candace said.
‘Impossible,’ her mother snapped. ‘You of all people know the harm from wagging tongues.’
Candace paled a shade at the reminder of her jilting fiancé.
Nora hurried to place a reassuring hand on her sister’s shoulder. ‘Tonight is acceptable if the Earl is in agreement.’
Her mother’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘Oh, he will agree. I’ll be sure of it.’
Nora stifled a groan. She knew her mother would have her way. She always did.
Later that evening, Nora’s stomach was in knots as she paced her bedchamber before dinner.
‘I’m nervous,’ she told Candace. She knew that at that precise moment, their mother sought a private audience with their hostess, the Duchess of Everly, requesting permission to announce Nora’s engagement to the Earl at the evening meal.
Preferably with champagne from the Duke’s vast cellars to toast the ‘happy couple’.
Candace watched Nora pace. ‘Nerves are normal.’
Although she’d already agreed to an engagement, Nora was still anxious about having it announced so suddenly. ‘Not like this! I haven’t spoken with him since early this morning. I must have a private word with Ralston before mother announces our engagement.’
‘How?’ Candace’s delicate brow furrowed.
Nora tossed up her hands. ‘I don’t know. Can you help me find a way?’
Candace bit her lip. ‘Mother is as tenacious as a terrier to have her way.’
Nora felt nauseated. How on earth was she to agree to marry a man she barely knew? His proposal was logical and convincing, but now that time had passed and she could think, he was still a relative stranger. A stranger very skilled at kissing, but a stranger nonetheless.
Nora looked in the dressing glass. She’d been in a daze and had gone through the motions as she’d dressed.
She’d allowed her mother to select her gown and her maid to style her hair in a coronet of auburn curls.
The blue silk emphasized her breasts, her small waist, and the length of her legs.
The colour brought out the green in her eyes.
Rather than feel lovely, she felt like a horse at auction at Tattersall’s.
Panic settled in her stomach. ‘My corset is too tight. I fear I’ll faint.’
Candace clutched her hand. ‘It’s not the corset, darling, but the nerves. I will find a way for you to speak with the Earl beforehand.’
Nora squeezed her sister’s fingers as they exited the room and descended the grand staircase together.
It was custom for everyone to meet in the drawing room before the doors to the dining room opened and the guests took their seats.
Approaching the door, Nora leaned against the wall and glimpsed inside.
Most of the house party guests had already gathered.
A wealthy baron, Lord Grant, sat beside local gentry, Mr and Mrs Mercer, and a thirty-year-old widow, Mrs Charlston.
Viscount Ardmore and the Marquess of Worth were with their wives.
Nora spotted Sir Simon drinking a glass of wine and speaking with one of the guests.
Simon’s fair hair gleamed from the firelight, and he was dressed in a bottle-green coat with a paisley waistcoat.
The signs of dissipation were evident—the red-rimmed eyes, the slightly yellow tinge of his skin.
She’d never felt the slightest attraction towards him.
Her gaze went to the Earl of Ralston across the room.
He leaned against the fireplace, one hand on the mantel the other holding a sherry as he spoke with his friend, Lord Adler.
Dressed in a navy coat, buff trousers and Hessians that hugged muscular calves, Ralston looked striking, and her heart skipped a beat.
In a rush, memories returned of her hand pressing against the breadth of his broad, naked chest. The mat of hair had teased her fingers and awakened her awareness of him as a man.
His kisses and touch had easily caused her already heightened senses to spiral. She was left shivery and aching.
Her mother was in conversation with the Duchess of Everly. She smiled and nodded at something the Duchess said.
‘We’re lucky Mother is occupied,’ Candace whispered. ‘Wait here and I’ll fetch the Earl.’
Nora fidgeted outside the drawing room. Her nerves were in knots. If only she had an extra day to think things through, she would not be as anxious. Thankfully, her sister was successful and, minutes later, Ralston joined Nora outside.
His brow furrowed. ‘Miss Magarian, your sister said there was something important to address.’
She swallowed. ‘I apologize for any inconvenience, my lord. I only seek a word in private please.’
He looked at her with curiosity. ‘Now? It’s highly unusual.’
She knew he was right. Nonetheless, she still felt the need to speak privately. ‘So are our circumstances.’
He hesitated for a moment, and she worried he would reject her request, then he nodded. ‘Fine. The library?’
Nora was aware of the Earl behind her as she hurried down the hall to slip inside the library. He closed the door behind him.
The colourful spines of books on the tall mahogany shelves should have comforted her. Instead, her insides churned as she faced him.
‘Pray tell me what is so important,’ he said.
She took a deep breath, her breasts rising in her too-tight bodice. ‘You don’t have to do this.’
‘By this I assume you mean announce our betrothal tonight.’
She felt herself pale. ‘Yes.’
His gaze held hers, a startling intensity in the shimmering dark depths. ‘I do not have second thoughts. But I suspect you are nervous.’ He stepped forward and took her hands in his. She felt the warmth and strength of his fingers. ‘Our betrothal will be a simple announcement over dinner.’
‘Are you certain you know everything about me?’
He arched a dark eyebrow. ‘Such as?’