“And foolish.”
She poked him in the bicep. “Young people generally are so. I’m sure you were boringly ordinary in that respect.”
His smile was wry. “Thank you for the reminder, Miss Knight.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I take it she was very pretty?”
“She was a grand beauty,” he said softly. “Janet had hair like spun gold and eyes the color of sapphires. She was a dainty lass too, petite and delicate. But she had a vivacious, laughing manner. She . . . she positively sparkled. Janet could weave a spell around most anyone, even perfect strangers.”
In other words, just the exact opposite of Victoria, as Arnprior had to know better than anyone. “She sounds utterly charming,” she said, trying not to sound like an envious harpy.
“Everyone thought so, including other men.” His tone was not approving.
“That’s to be expected, given she was a great beauty.”
He didn’t answer, instead staring moodily at the fire.
“When did you marry?” she gently prodded.
“Hmm? Oh, we wished to be married as soon as she turned eighteen, but my father was determined I finish university. He did not approve of Janet. I know he was hoping she would throw me over for someone else.”
“Why didn’t he approve?”
He lifted a negligent hand. “He believed Janet was a flighty, irresponsible girl who didn’t have the character to be a future Countess of Arnprior.”
“That seems a harsh judgment of so young a lady.”
“Our discussions on the matter were not pleasant, as you can imagine.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
His shrug seemed anything but casual. “I wore him down, but then Father died in a riding accident, which led to another delay. Janet became so impatient that I thought she would break our betrothal.”
“But you were clearly doing your best.” Victoria would probably wait years if she knew Arnprior loved her that deeply.
“Yes, but when Janet was frustrated, she became . . .” He paused, searching for the right phrase. “Emotionally volatile. I convinced myself that her behavior was due to her eagerness to be with me.” He threw her a sardonic look. “I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry.” What else could she say?
He nodded. “Eventually we married, much to the relief of Janet’s family. They thought me capable of controlling her more erratic impulses.”
She frowned, unsure if she should continue to press him. It was becoming obvious that his marriage was not the idyllic relationship she’d assumed it to be.
He glanced over at her and sighed. “My wife was unstable, Victoria.”
“I see,” she said cautiously. “That must have been difficult.”
“Eventually that was the case. But for the first year of our marriage, we were happy. I took Janet to London, and we then spent several months in Glasgow. She redecorated Kendrick House and became the most popular hostess in town, cutting a swath through society and charming everyone.” There was a fraught pause. “Especially the men.”
Now she understood where his tale was going, and it made her heart ache for him.
“But I couldn’t remain in Glasgow forever. My brothers needed me, as did the estate. We had to return to Kinglas. Unfortunately, she wound up hating everything about it.”
For a young and clearly immature woman, the isolation must have been difficult. “I suppose she missed her family,” Victoria said, trying to be tactful.
His laugh was harsh. “No, but she hatedmyfamily, especially Angus. They fought constantly.”
“Well, he can be rather trying.”
