Page 41 of No Ordinary Lady

“Please don’t go to any trouble on my behalf,” Marian said. “Or expense.”

“My dear, if you wanted to impose, my grandson could be putty in your hands.” Granny searched her face. “But you won’t ask him for help again, will you? You’ll be miserable, and he’ll be even more so without understanding why.”

Marian wet her lips and looked down at her gloved fingers. Beneath the new soft leather were the rough hands of a poor girl, brought up in a world so completely different from this. Danny might have helped her for one night, but asking him for more was utterly out of the question, now she knew more about him.

“His life won’t be miserable. Miss Wilson seems exactly the sort of woman who should be his bride. Beautiful, accomplished, a credit to her family.”

“I completely disagree with you on that score, but I refuse to argue more today. But just think of all the fun we could have together. All of us living happily here, and in London together, too. I can already see my daughter approves of you.”

Marian shook her head. “She would throw me out if she knew the truth of who I really am.”

“Who said she hasn’t guessed yet? She sees a great deal more than she lets on about. My daughter is an intelligent woman who knows how her son behaves beyond these grounds. Provided she doesn’t see any fresh scandal with her own eyes, she will most likely ignore a past one.”

Marian stared back at the old woman in astonishment at that statement. Clearly, she was delusional. “I should let you rest.”

“Nonsense, my dear. There is no time to rest for the wicked. We’re expecting company soon. We must refresh our attire and return downstairs to the drawing room.”

“Who is coming?”

“That physician friend of his, and his ward. I’ve no need for doctoring, but the man’s ward is a treasure. I’m sure you two will have lots to talk about again today.”

That was all Marian needed. Another person to lie to. So much for making a fresh start. Her entire new existence was being bound by lies and none of them were her making. “If I must.”

“You must,” the old woman assured her.

“You really didn’t faint yesterday?”

“I did not faint.”

“But you did swoon,” Marian countered, having seen that with her own eyes. “Why?”

“Well, swooning is an entirely different matter. Seeing your face at the window gave me quite the start, I must say. I thought I was seeing a ghost of an old friend there at first.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone about me? At the window and later?”

“And have them think me mad and seeing ghosts, too?” granny said, and then shuddered. “That is the last thing my grandson needs, given his intentions.”

“Yes, his intentions.” Marian sighed. “Is it wise for me to remain here? I mean…she, the woman he will marry, will notice me. I don’t want to get in the way.”

“You would do me a great favor if you could.”

She wanted Marian to stop her grandson’s wedding. “No.”

“Always so difficult, the young. You remind me of my old life. The life I’m almost forbidden to speak of now. Back before my daughter married up and became a countess. It’s not enough for me to enjoy garden parties and drink fine wine and believe there’s nothing more to life. I know what’s out there. What we all are missing out on. But here, the endless days of dull regularity prevail. I imagine you don’t have any experience with that existence.”

“No, not really. Each new day has always been a complete surprise, and no two were every repeated.”

“I understand that not every woman can come from a good family or a steady situation. My brother and uncles were all rogues and thieves.”

“Thieves?”

“Cutthroats and pirates on one side, scoundrels on the other. Of course, it’s not the done thing to talk about such things in esteemed company. I’m sure Miss Wilson knows none of it still, even after all these years. She hears only what brings her pleasure and ignores the rest.”

“Wouldn’t Danny have told her about your family long ago, or now perhaps he can in the future?”

“It will not be that sort of marriage, my dear. The sharing of confidences is rare in the aristocracy. No, they marry for money and power, and couples hardly speak to each other, with some exceptions.”

“Is that what he’s doing? Marrying for power and wealth?” she asked.