“What was that?” she asked breathlessly. A dumb question, but he answered with all due seriousness.
“An inducement.”
CHAPTER 16
“DID YOU JUST SAY MYbrother proposed to you?” Elizabeth squealed as she entered the countess’s sitting room, where Abigail was having tea with the lady.
“Shush, Elizabeth.” The countess admonished her daughter as Abigail winced. “Come in and close the door, please.”
The girl did as she was bid, but her high spirits had not abated. She came and sat next to Abigail, turning to her and catching her hands. “Well? Did he?” Her eyes shone with excitement and romantic dreams.
Abigail lowered her eyes, sighing. She had decided to talk to the countess and ask for her opinion, because she was not sure she could make the wisest decision by herself. Her own desires and fears were too tangled up.
But she had no wish to make the business known to all and sundry. Elizabeth’s exuberance did not make her the most discreet of confidants, as evidenced by her unchecked holler. And she was too young and inexperienced to offer sound advice. But the cat was out of the proverbial bag now. The girl had heard enough, and trying to dissemble now would do no good.
“Yes, he proposed a marriage of convenience. Mainly to help me in my effort to launch you into society.” Abigail replied in as neutral a tone as she could manage.
“Pish, nonsense.” Elizabeth exclaimed, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture. “He doesn’t need to marry you for that reason. If he proposed, it must be because he has a tendre for you.”
Abigail didn’t know how to respond to that. The passionate kisses he had given her flitted through her mind. Did he? She looked on at a loss for words. Thankfully, the countess intervened.
“Elizabeth, Abigail was talking tomein confidence, and you just barged in and inserted yourself into the conversation. I hope you realize that what we discuss here must not leave these walls. And please refrain from speculating about your brother’s motives and badgering Abigail. Adults have many reasons for the way they approach marriage.”
“Well, of course I won’t tell anyone, mother. Who would I tell anyway? And besides, I said nothing bad. I apologize if I intruded, Abby.” Elizabeth replied, chagrined.
“It is all right, Elizabeth. I just don’t want you to get fanciful ideas.” She said, squeezing the girl's hand momentarily before letting go and standing to pace by the fireplace.
“Yes, your brother and I have developed a friendship of sorts while working together on estate matters, and he has a need for a wife and an heir, now that he has inherited the title. I was the obvious choice since I’m already here, and it also helps with the issue of launching you into society. It is a convenient arrangement for all involved.”
“And how do you feel about it? Is it convenient for you, dear?” The countess asked quietly.
That was the crux of the matter, wasn’t it? How did she feel? Excited, terrified, eager, hesitant, happy, melancholy. She had run the whole gamut of emotions since yesterday morning when he proposed. Sometimes several of them attacked her at once.
Was the marriage to her benefit? Well, she would be provided for. She could have a child, a hope she had all but given up on. And he had said they could live separately after she conceived, or a year had passed. So even if they didn’t suit, they wouldn’t be tied to each other indefinitely. If he could be trusted to keep his word. Could he be trusted? Her heart said yes. But her head urged her to be cautious.
She realized she could not make the right decision on her own. She would be a fool to accept. And she would be a fool to refuse.
