Page 62 of Wedding the Widow

“How clever of you to have seen the discrepancy, Lord Robert,” Elizabeth said, picking up the thread of the conversation instantly. She smiled and placed her hand on his arm and caught her mother’s approving nod.

“Not a’tall.” He cleared his throat and looked away.

This would be a tedious courtship, but mercifully short. The marriage, however, would likely last an eon. “Mama and I were discussing the possibility that I might make myself useful in the local village. Your estate is in . . . ?”

“South Shropshire. Near the village of Ditton Priors.” His furrowed brows made him resemble a worried beagle. “There may be some charitable work you can do about the parish, but I seldom venture to the village. My studies and the running of the estate itself occupy almost all of my waking hours.”

“So you do not attend church regularly?” The scope of her new world was shrinking by the minute.

Lord Robert shook his head. “Got away from it after Oxford. Never seemed enough time for my studies when I was managing Lord Craigmont’s affairs. The only time I had to myself was Sunday mornings, so I took advantage.”

“But you would have no objection to my taking the children to services each Sunday?” Only once a week, but she’d take the escape it offered her.

“No, oh no, my dear.” He blinked at her father. “I would not dream of preventing Mrs. Easton from attending worship if she so chooses.”

“Of course not, Robert. I am sure Elizabeth didn’t mean to imply such a thing.” Papa glared at her, but she stared straight back at him, defiant.

“No, indeed, Lord Robert. I was merely attempting to define the parameters I may expect once we are . . . wed.” The words almost stuck in her throat, and Elizabeth swallowed convulsively. Could she truly be thinking of doing this? “Do you come to London often, my lord?”

“Heavens, no.” Lord Robert looked so alarmed at that prospect he shrank from her as though she had said she had the plague. “The journey alone takes two days in good weather. I find all my wants provided for amply on the estate.”

“You do not come even for the Season, my lord?” The shocked look on Mama’s face made Elizabeth smile to herself. Finally, something about Lord Robert had displeased her.

“I do not hold a seat in Parliament, nor would I wish one, my lady.” He shuddered. “Therefore, I see no reason for traveling so far. I am only in Town now because of my brother’s funeral.”

Arching her brows pointedly at her mother, Elizabeth returned her attentions to her suitor. “I am so sorry for your loss, Lord Robert. It must be very difficult to lose one’s brother.”

A fleeting spasm of grief passed over his face, then Lord Robert shrugged. “I had not seen him in over ten years. Our family, though large, is not close. Still, I did think it my duty to attend the funeral.”

“Quite the right thing,” her father said, then added, “Brandy, Robert?”

“Why yes, thank you, Wentworth.” Lord Robert perked up. “Quite a lucky thing to have seen you at White’s right after the funeral. I’d have left Town immediately after, if not for your request. I’m in the midst of a manuscript, a translation of Ovid with some really exciting new interpretations of the works.” His face flushed with the excitement of his work, he took a pull at the brandy, his cheeks turning almost red. “We will leave directly after the wedding, if that is quite convenient for you, Mrs. Easton. I simply must get back to my work, you understand.”

Gritting her teeth, Elizabeth summoned a smile. “I am sure that can be arranged, Lord Robert.” She narrowed her eyes at her father, who hastily dropped his gaze to his glass. “When do you wish to wed?”

“Tomorrow.”

“What?” Elizabeth bounded to her feet.

“That is rather sudden, my lord.” Her mother pulled her back down. “I was hoping you would stay through Christmas with us.”

The scandalized look on her betrothed’s face almost made Elizabeth chuckle. And Mama looked as put out as she’d ever seen her.

“At least let us have time to arrange a proper wedding breakfast. It would only be family and some of Elizabeth’s friends, so it would take but a day or two.”

“I am afraid not, my lady. We must leave for Ditton Priors no later than the day after tomorrow. We will have a day to marry, the wedding night . . .” Lord Robert mumbled the last of that sentence, his face turning bright red to his hairline. “Then we will leave the following morning.”

“I cannot possibly have everything packed and ready in—”

“We will see to it, Lord Robert, that Elizabeth is ready to travel day after tomorrow.” Her mother nodded emphatically, daring Elizabeth to contradict her.

“But the children—” Elizabeth tried to bring the voice of reason to bear on the proceedings, but her mother had the bit in her teeth and would not be gainsaid.

“I will oversee the maids in packing up all the children’s belongings, my dear. So there will be no question of when it can be done. It must be done by tomorrow night.” Mama glared at Papa, who hastily nodded assurance to Lord Robert.

“You’ll find the air so bracing in Shropshire, Elizabeth, that once you arrive, you will never want to leave it either.” Papa beamed largely at her. “I daresay after a year of two up there, you will come to enjoy the solitude as much as Robert does. Country estates are a challenge at first, but I know you will rise to the occasion beautifully, daughter.” He raised his glass. Mama and Lord Robert did likewise. After a long moment, feeling like nothing so much as a traitor to herself and Jemmy, Elizabeth raised hers as well. Sometimes one simply had to embrace the inevitable.

Chapter 23