Evan laughed. “You’ve met my betrothed. She would have your head.”
“Point taken. I’ll just plan a best man party, where I am the only man in attendance, if you catch my meaning. I think it shall commence tonight.” Once the drinks arrived, Jude held his glass up. “I wish you a long and happy marriage.” They toasted and drained their glasses. “But don’t tell any of my mistresses I said that.”
The thought of embarking on the adventure of marriage brought a glimmer of excitement to his eyes. He pictured their future together, and he could almost taste the anticipation.
There wasn’t anything or anyone that would take her away from him.
Chapter Seventeen
Marina
Marina waited untilher mother had finished with her bath before taking a seat in her parlor. She’d cried alone in her room for a while, regretting so much about the way her relationship with her father had changed over the last year.
She appreciated how hard she laughed when she heard Minto shouting at their butler to let him in. His voice boomed throughout the house, and she worried for a moment that he might barrel past poor Brooks. Minto would return, but at least the man would realize he could no longer throw his weight around with their family. She could breathe easier knowing that she was no longer expected to wed the horrid man.
Her mother was stoic as she poured them each a cup of tea, passing Marina’s cup to her. “I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“Are you all right, Mama?” Marina sipped her tea, closing her eyes to indulge in the comfort the warm tea brought her. It would take a while to come to terms with her father’s unexpected passing and how it would impact all their lives.
“I’ll be fine, dearest. I’m more in shock than anything.” Her mother narrowed her eyes at Marina. “I’m assuming we have a wedding to plan, do we not?”
Marina smiled softly. “If you are all right with Evan and me marryingsoon, we would like to. We feel it would be best to do so as soon as possible and to quit town for the foreseeable future.”
Her mother nodded. “We will all need to leave town for a while. It is to be our mourning period anyhow, so I will inform your brother we must retire to the country after your wedding.” She gave her daughter a small smile. “It is so nice you will live close by. I will spoil my grandchildren.”
Marina blushed, which wasn’t a normal look for her. “I’m sure you will, Mama.”
“I guess I’ll have to get used to sharing them with your father’s mistress.”
Marina’s eyes widened. “You knew?”
“Of course I knew, dearest, though I’m not sure how you did.” Her mother arched a brow at her, and Marina winced. “Your father and I never loved each other. It didn’t bother me so much, but I never felt right doing so for myself. All I asked was for him to keep it a secret so I wouldn’t be the subject of gossip and pity.”
“It does not signify how I knew,” Marina said. “But Mama, you deserved better. You should never have allowed Papa to treat you as such.”
Her mother patted her hand. “It doesn’t signify now. I am just so happy you are marrying someone who loves you. I can see it in the way he looks at you. He truly loves you, Marina. He will never betray his vows.” Tears misted her eyes. “It was all I ever hoped for you.”
It was all she ever hoped for, too. She hadn’t said the words to him yet. But she already knew he had a firm grip on her heart, and she never wanted him to release it.
Marina clasped her mother’s hand. “You are quite wonderful and beautiful, Mama. You shouldn’t give up on the chance of finding love, especially now.”
“I can’t think about that right now, dearest. I will mourn your father out of respect, and we’ll see how I feel about things next year.”She offered a meek smile.
Marina would mourn her father, too. She didn’t want to think about that right now and refilled her teacup, hoping her silence might shift the conversation.
“So, can I expect your betrothed is going to sneak into your window tonight?” Her mother stared at her with a knowing smirk.
“Mama!”
Her mother laughed. “It is the way of love matches.”
The expression on her mother’s face changed, and she sighed. It must have been so difficult for her mother to never experience love with her husband. It would be an intriguing challenge to help her mother find a match worthy of her hand.
“We didn’t make any plans for him to visit. He wanted to ask Arthur for permission for us to wed, and then he must have left.”
“Oh, you just watch,” she said knowingly. “He will show up tonight. I shan’t say anything to your brother.”
Marina’s heart clung to the hope that her mother’s words held true. As she grappled with the weight of mourning her father and her desire to be away from town and Minto, a yearning surged within her. She craved Evan’s embrace.
