Frowning, he was quiet for a moment. “What about my father’s first marriage?”
His grandmother slowly shook her head. “He met her at a house party not far from Gretna Green. Before we knew he was wed, it was over and done.”
Mary’s grandmamma’s lips formed a thin line. “Bad blood. Madness ran in her family.”
He rubbed his forehead. “I thought she died in child-birth.”
“She died,” Grandmamma said, “jumping off the parapet of her family’s home with the child in her arms.”
“Your father was devastated,” Grandmother Featherton added. “That was when Constance and I decided to make sure none of our children suffered a bad marriage again. Most of the matches were fairly easy. You and Mary, however, provided an unusual challenge. You were both so reserved, and then Gawain began his harassment. We were almost at our wits’ end.”
“I don’t understand.” Mary stared at Lady Featherton. “How did you know to put us together, and how did you think of your idea?”
Her grandmother gave her the same look she’d give a slow-witted child. “Sometimes a person needs the opposite to complete them. At other times, such as with your Aunt Eunice, they need the same type of person. You and Kit appeared to require mates who would think alike. What made it more difficult, Mary, is that you are also a romantic who has had little experience with men.”
That was true enough. Would she have fallen for a complete rogue, thinking his advances were love?
“On the other hand”—her grandmother smiled—“for all his experience with theton, Kit had never wooed a female. He’d spent his time not giving the young ladies any reason to think he was interested in them.”
“The year you came out—” Grandmother Featherton smiled beatifically. She really was good at this. “We watched the two of you watch each other. Then nothing. Finally, during a conversation with Bridgewater’s steward, Constance discovered the steward’s cousin was at Kit’s estate.”
If he’d been another man, Mary was sure Kit’s jaw would have dropped. “How—how long did your preparations take?”
“After that,” his grandmother said in a cheery voice, “not long at all. We needed the year for Mary to feel safe, so she could be receptive to your courtship, and we wished to ensure that your heart was not otherwise engaged.”
A cold chill ran down Mary’s spine. “And if Kit’s heart had been?”
Her grandmother smiled kindly. “You would have left Rose Hill none the wiser. Miss Brownly would have had to come here for her Season.”
“Remarkable,” Kit commented faintly. “I was firmly convinced you’d both lost your minds, but, and I say this with strong reservations, it appears as if you know what you’re doing. I believe Mary will agree with me when I tell you we are remarkably happy together.”
She nodded her head. “I agree wholeheartedly, yet what of Diana Brownly?”
Lady Featherton grinned. “The last we heard, a very nice gentleman from Cornwall has her interest. He is a country-bred baronet and only in Town to find a wife. He is quite smitten with her as well. She has also been told that your marriage has been undisclosed from thetonfor various reasons which cannot be revealed. Kit, your mother has assured Miss Brownly that all is proper and sworn her to secrecy.”
That was sure to appeal to Diana’s sense of romance.
They had moved from the dining table to a cozy group of chairs and sofas. Grandmamma glanced at Kit. “Get me a brandy and your grandmother a sherry. We will not have tea served. I expect to retire soon.”
He did as he was told, and shortly thereafter they bid their grandmothers a good evening. Once in the carriage, he said, “That was an illuminating conversation.”
Mary removed her bonnet. “Especially for you. How do you feel about their revelations concerning your father’s first wife?”
“It explains a great deal. My older half-brother was never allowed around the younger children as babies. Not that I think he cared. Even when he was with me, there was a groom or nurse present at all times. The older he got, the wilder he became.”
She snuggled into him. “It’s sad.”
“Yes.” Kit put his arm around her shoulders. “I must say, I don’t think them nearly so mad.”
“Nor do I.” Mary wondered who their grandmothers would try to match next and was very much afraid it would be Kit’s sister.
It was their last day in Edinburgh. The city had managed to endear itself to Kit. Mayhap he and Mary would visit again. They were strolling with the Eveshams, Rutherfords, and Huntleys through the squares making up part of the city’s New Town. The ladies walked ahead, chatting, as the gentlemen entertained Arthur and Ben. Kit had never been so happy and at ease, knowing all was right with him and Mary. He hoped they would soon join the others in parenthood. Even now, she could be carrying his child.
Next to him Marcus tensed, and Kit looked at their ladies. A man, dressed as a gentleman, stood directly in front of them.
Kit and his friends approached as casually as they could under the circumstances. Phoebe’s hand stole into a pocket in her skirts, and Anna took a few steps to the side. Caro remained next to Mary.
“Gawain, what are you doing here?” Mary asked.
