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Tia read for over an hour as Braden spoke with the runner. She looked up from her book several times to wonder how she could convince him that the plan to stage his own death was far too mad of an idea to consider. Perhaps if she could see Jonathon, he could talk some sense into his brother. Of course, that was assuming Braden didn’t lock her in his bedchamber if Jonathon arrived.
There had to be some way of stopping him. She smiled. Perhaps she should lock Braden in the bedchamber, with her. That would keep him from leaving and be quite enjoyable in the process.
Realizing it might be quite a while before he came out of his study, she went upstairs to find another book she’d left in her room. When she arrived, she found Mrs. Abbott packing her clothes.
“Am I leaving, then?”
Mrs. Abbott started. “Dear girl, you gave me such a fright. His lordship asked that you be packed and ready to leave after the ceremony tomorrow. I have time now, so I thought I would get a start on it.”
“Thank you.” She placed the book next to the valise and trunk. “It is still difficult to imagine that as of tomorrow I shall be a viscountess.”
“I would think so,” the housekeeper replied as she folded a chemise.
Tia sat down on the bed with a sigh. “Do you think he is making the right decision, Mrs. Abbott?”
“About marrying you?” she asked, turning her head to look over at the bed.
“Of course, about marrying me. I am truly nobody.”
Mrs. Abbott stopped her packing and walked over to the bed. “I think he must love you very deeply to have decided to marry you. The question is, do you love him in return?”
Tia bit down on her lower lip and shook her head. “I do love him, Mrs. Abbott.”
“Then you have nothing to fear, miss. With love, you both can conquer anything. And you will be a viscountess.”
Then why did she feel such a nagging sense of doubt about her upcoming nuptials? She didn’t question her feelings. Of that, she was confident. And she did believe he loved her. So why did she have any doubts?
“So why am I nervous?” she finally asked.
Mrs. Abbott sat next to her and took her hand. “I suppose it is very natural for a woman to be nervous before her wedding. After all, this is a lifetime commitment. There is no getting out of a marriage, or at least the few options are very limited. Since I cannot see his lordship abusing you, there will be no divorce.”
“I am not worried about that, Mrs. Abbott.” She looked over at the older woman and grinned. “His lordship knows that I have too much of a knowledge of herbs and poisons. He would never hurt me in that manner.”
“Only possibly in matters of the heart,” she whispered.
Tia nodded. “I know marrying him is a risk. He was a horrible rake, but he tells me he wants to be a better person. I should believe that, shouldn’t I?”
Mrs. Abbott squeezed her hand. “Yes, I think you should. After all, since he has been here, the most immoral thing I have seen him do is drag you into his house.”
Tia giggled. “That was rather wicked of him.”
“I hear the front door, so Mr. Brady must be leaving. Go down and talk him about your concerns. I am certain he will set your feelings to right.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Abbott. I am going to miss you when we return to the estate.”
“The next time you come to town, you will be her ladyship. I shall have to be all proper with you.”
Tia squeezed the housekeeper’s hand. “Do you really believe I shall ever be a proper viscountess? I do believe I will need your assistance quite often.”
“Miss Featherstone, I cannot believe I am saying this after how I treated you the first day I met you, but I do wish you nothing but happiness.”
Tia forgot about classes and propriety and hugged the housekeeper. “Thank you, Mrs. Abbott.”
The housekeeper pulled away. “Now, go down and speak with your future husband while I pack these things for you.”
Tia smiled as she walked out of the room. Loud voices boomed from Braden’s study. Odd, Mrs. Abbott had thought the runner must have left. Perhaps someone else had arrived.
She walked closer to the room w
