What in the devil could it mean?
What he knew for certain is that the walls of his townhouse felt like they were closing in on him. If he were going to ramble about trees over and over, then perhaps it would be best to be among them.
Because the old oak might know, but he certainly did not.
Chapter Eight
Marina
Marina sat ather dressing table while Millie worked her dark curls into something presentable to face the day. The morning sun streamed through her window, but she found no joy in the beautiful day. Not when all she could think about was Evan…and how incensed her father had been when they departed from the ball.
A knock at her door interrupted her brooding. Her father entered without waiting for permission, dismissing Millie with a wave.
“Papa, is something amiss?” Although she knew exactly why he had come. He told her that they would discuss Minto again today. It was too much to hope that he might have forgotten.
“Marina, you have been avoiding Minto.”
“What do you mean? I didn’t see him.” She shrugged, feigning ignorance.
“We both know better than that.” He folded his arms, his expression stern. “Even a dance with the man would placate him for the time being. Can’t you understand that?”
“Why is this so important to you? Why are you so intent on me considering his offer?”
He ran his hand down his face, and for a moment, she saw exhaustion in his features. “I’m not explaining this to you again. His offer is the best one you will receive and will ensure your security.”
Marina sighed. “Papa—”
Her father held his hand up to stop her from speaking. “You have three days, Marina. I can’t put Minto off any longer than that. Three days to produce another suitor, or I will be forced to accept Minto’s offer.”
Her stomach turned. “You cannot be serious.”
“This is bigger than your romantic notions, daughter. There are… considerations you don’t understand. Obligations that must be met.” His jaw tightened. “Three days. That is all I can give you.”
He turned on his heel and exited her chamber before she could protest further.
Marina slumped in her chair, fighting the bile rising in her throat. Three days. And she knew her father meant what he said. He wasn’t a man known for jests. She would need to find a potential husband immediately if she wanted to avoid a life with Minto.
When had her father become such an unfeeling man? He hadn’t always been that way, other than where her mother was concerned.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she knew she must clear her head to come to the best solution to her problem. She needed air, space to think clearly about her predicament.
“Millie,” she called, and her maid reappeared immediately. “Fetch my pelisse and bonnet. We’re going for a walk in Hyde Park.”
Twenty minutes later, Marina walked along The Serpentine, her maid trailing a respectful distance behind. The fresh air helped immensely, though her jaw remained clenched as she worked through her options. Lord Weatherby might do. Or perhaps Lord Ashford—he’d shown interest last season. She hadn’t necessarily expected a love match. Not until Evan.
Then Evan’s face flashed unbidden in her mind. She shook off the thought immediately. The man had declined the opportunity to marry her before. Declined was far too kind of a word. He’d ripped her heart into tiny pieces. She wouldn’t beg him to save her from Minto, no matter how her traitorous heart raced whenever he was near.
She kicked a rock in her path.
“Well, aren’t we in a mood this afternoon?”
She looked up from the path, her pulse quickening despite herself. Evan stood before her, handsome as always, that insufferable smirk playing at his lips.
“Must you follow me everywhere I go?” She narrowed her eyes at him, irritated that her very thoughts seemed to have summoned him.
“You’re just so beautiful and enticing. I can’t help myself.”
She rolled her eyes, noting that Millie had fallen several steps back, further out of earshot. “Has flattery ever worked for you, my lord?”
