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The minutes ticked by slowly. Still, Genevieve’s window remained unadorned by any candlestick. Had she forgotten?
“Eden.”
Yelping, she turned, hand at her breast to calm the heart that had just tried to leap out of her throat. “Catherine! Heavens, you gave me such a fright. I did not hear you…come…” The words shriveled on her tongue at the look of cold anger on her stepmother’s face.
“Lady St. Claire called a little while ago to relate to me an alarming tale and to deliver this into my hands.” She held up a distressingly familiar piece of parchment, its seal broken. “I’m sure you can imagine my shock upon learning of its origin and intended destination.” Looking down at the page, she read, “St. James’s cathedral, the second hour.”
Cold inched its way up Eden’s spine. She could do nothing but stare at her stepmother as her plan unraveled before her eyes.
“I can only assume you intended to run away with Tavistoke—as if a marquess would do such a thing.”
“He asked me to marry him weeks ago,” Eden replied with as much dignity as she could muster. “But I knew you and Papa would not agree, so I bade him wait until you could be persuaded to see reason. When you set Ravenwood on me, I knew that day would never arrive. Percy told me the man boasted of having been given Papa’s blessing to marry me. I tell you now, I won’t do it.”
Her stepmother hardly blinked over the news of Percy’s proposal. “Tavistoke is mad, Eden. Not only mad, but depraved. I cannot allow you to drag our family into his scandalous life. Your brother—”
“Is only eight years old!” Eden raged. “By the time it matters, no one will remember to attach a scandal to his name if you will simply allow me to marry Percy properly. I would never have thought of elopement had you been reasonable concerning him.”
“I will not argue with you about that man, Eden. You will not see him again, and that is final. Ravenwood is coming Friday to ask for your hand. You will accept his offer with a smile, and you will marry him.”
“Why are you so set upon having him?” she asked, determined to know. “At least allow me to choose another groom if I am not to wed Percy.” It would buy her precious time. “I do not want Ravenwood, and I won’t marry him.”
“What you want is not important.” Catherine’s words cut like a whip. “He wants you, and you must marry him. He will provide a good life for you, Eden. A home into which you can welcome your guests without wondering what they really think of you and your husband. A name free of scandal. Ravenwood was a bit wild in his youth, but he is now ready to set all that aside to carry out his familial responsibilities—as you should be. This business with Tavistoke is over.”
“I won’t—”
“You will!” shouted Catherine. “Tavistoke is nothing more than an infatuation. That he asked you to marry him is a miracle, I will grant, but news of it comes too late. Your father has made a bargain with Ravenwood, and our family will honor it.”
Ice formed in Eden’s innards. “A bargain? What bargain?”
“I don’t like speaking of this with you, but you obviously need to know in order to understand your position.” Her stepmother drew herself up and continued in a hushed voice. “You have almost no dowry to speak of. Your father’s habits are those of a gentleman, a necessity in order to keep up appearances with his peers. Such habits have of late exceeded funds, and we are in debt. Serious debt. Ravenwood is willing to accept you and to absolve it, all of it, in return for your hand and an heir.”
“What?” Eden croaked as nausea threatened. “And Papa…Papa agreed to this?”
“He did.”
She swallowed hard to dislodge the painful lump in her throat. “You’ve sold me.”
“Oh, Eden, stop it!” her stepmother snapped. “Our position is dire. Ravenwood offered us a way out of our troubles. He fancies you, and he’s a decent, honorable young man. What more can you ask for in a husband?”
A ripping, tearing sensation began in Eden’s chest. “I would ask for love!”
“You really think Tavistoke that taken with you? Even after all I’ve said?” Catherine moved closer, all the anger bleeding out of her expression. “My God, you think yourself in love with him.”
Though she refused to speak, inside something broke. The thought of being forever separated from Percy was too much to bear. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“Oh, child,” sighed Catherine, coming to frame her face with cool palms. “You know nothing of love, not really.”
“I know I can marry none but him.”
Catherine’s eyes closed. “You can, and you must. If you do not, it will be the ruin of us all. Ravenwood knows of our situation. He will remain silent as long as you agree to become his wife.”
She had to ask. “How did he find out?”
“Your father was fool enough to confirm the information our former solicitor gave the man. That was when Ravenwood made his offer.”
“I have nearly sixteen thousand pounds of my own, including the money Mama bequeathed me. If that is not enough, Percy would gladly gift Papa the rest. I know he—”
“It is too late for that, even if you could guarantee such a thing. This is our lot. Your lot, Eden. You must learn to live with it and make the best of it. There are many who would find your position enviable.”
