Chapter 9
A knock sounded at the front door and Lizzy discarded her embroidery, listening if it was Dianna bringing her a note from Aaron. She’d heard nothing for two weeks and her heart jumped every time someone came to the door. Di had visited but had neither a note nor news.
She tried to tell herself that it didn’t matter. It was only a temporary arrangement. There was no obligation on his behalf to continue their assignations. She’d just hoped that he would tell her in person if he had no further interest or could spare no more time.
It wasn’t Di at the door and then their butler walked past the drawing room, most likely seeking out her mother.
Lizzy picked up her sewing again, trying to put her attention to her stitching, but failing. Too often her thoughts wandered back to the bed at the Rakes Club and her lascivious behaviour. And how easily she had come to behave that way. How at ease she felt with Aaron. And now it seemed that memories were all she would have.
‘Lizzy, Lizzy.’ Her mother’s voice came from the foyer and then she bustled into the drawing room, waving a piece of paper. For a moment Lizzy’s heart froze, wondering if it was indeed a note from Aaron, Another scandalous note that had fallen into her mother’s hands. ‘Such exciting news.’
Her mother came to sit next to her on the sofa, taking her embroidery off her lap and clutching at Lizzy’s hands.
‘We have news. An invitation.’ She shook the paper again, but Lizzy was none the wiser. ‘To Branson Hall.’ Her mother obviously thought that clarified things, but Lizzy remained silent. ‘What will be your new home.’
A knot tightened in her stomach, and she was lost for words, but her mother hadn’t noticed.
‘We don’t have time to get you a new gown. We will have to make do with something you already have. Oh, Lizzy. You are on your way to being Lady Branson. I must reply immediately.’
Her mother hurried out of the room, caught up in her own preparations, and Lizzy understood her excitement. She would not be the mother of a spinster daughter. She would not have that shame. It wasn’t a love match and Lizzy was relieved that her mother wasn’t expecting her to be bubbling with enthusiasm over the invitation.
Lizzy slumped back on the sofa, despondent. Her time with Aaron had been a revelation, both as to what could happen behind closed doors and that she had enjoyed it. A lot. She should be able to more than adequately fulfil her part of the marital bargain, but what if Di was right and he was old with a barrel belly that she couldn’t bear to look at. Or despite her best efforts, he still sought his pleasures elsewhere?
She hoped the mere fact that Lizzy would be married would be enough for her mother.
Just because this wasn’t a love match didn’t mean she wanted it to be any less of a successful match, but what if it didn’t live up to the expectations that her time with Aaron had given her? Realization came to Lizzy as to why it was quietly and readily accepted that husbands and wives looked beyond their marriages.
In her haste to respond, her mother had left the invitation on the sofa. Lizzy picked it up. Fine, cream-colored paper, the words written in a broad, masculine hand and signed off by a solicitor. Not an elegant script like Aaron’s on the note that lay hidden in the equally hidden book.
The future Marquess of Branston requests the pleasure of the company of Lord and Lady Chester and Lady Elizabeth Charters at Branston Hall this coming Saturday the 15th of May. As you will be traveling some distance, you will be accommodated overnight in the guest wing. His Lordship is very much looking forward to meeting you.
Cold. Formal. Practical. The man—Lord Branson—didn’t even have the time or the interest to issue the invitation himself? Was that a reflection of how he would view her? A practicality?
Lizzy sighed. In all honesty, that was what she was. What this whole arrangement was. A means and end. She would be off her parents’ hands and off the marriage market and this yet-to-be-Marquess would get his title and property. She just hoped there would be something for her.