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Her father exchanged a grin with her mother.
“As for me, I would love to read that book,” she muttered, at the same time quite irritated with the men at the table. “Who wouldn’t want to know if they were about to exchange wedding vows with the wrong person?”
Innes cast her an impatient glance. “It isn’t a problem for me. I am never getting married.”
Hyacinth set down her spoon with a clatter. “That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Of course, you must marry. It needn’t be to me. But I would consider you supremely foolish if you did not consider me. I would be perfect for you.”
Everyone’s spoon dropped with a clatter.
“Hyacinth!” her father intoned.
Perhaps she should not have said that.
“What?” She frowned back at all of them. “He is certainly old enough to marry. He is smart and handsome. No point in denying it since it is obvious to everyone…the handsome part. He looks magnificent in his uniform, and my eyes are still blinking from the shine on his medals. However, I’m not sure how smart he is. His statement about never marrying is quite idiotic, don’t you think? I’ve never met a man more in need of a happy home life. He already has a beautiful house. And a lovely carriage that he almost certainly overpaid for. Why let it all go to waste?”
Her father was staring at her in dismay but addressed Innes. “I don’t even know what to say. I cannot begin to apologize for my daughter’s sudden insanity.”
Hyacinth knew she had been more than a little outrageous. “No, Papa. You needn’t make excuses for me. I’ll apologize.”
She turned to Innes, hoping she looked contrite. Only, she wasn’t really contrite at all. He needed saving. He needed people around him that he could trust and who would make him happy. “I am sincerely sorry, Innes. In my own defense, I feel as though I’ve known you all my life and can be honest with you. For your own good, of course. You are the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother. This is why I did not censor my words.”
“Instead, you said whatever popped into your head,” her father admonished.
“Did you not raise me to always tell the truth, Papa?” She turned once again to Innes. “Perhaps it was a little too much truth, too soon. I have to remember that we haven’t seen each other in years and are, in fact, strangers.”
She hoped he would not leave the table and walk away from them forever. Her parents would never forgive her if he did. “But you truly do not feel like a stranger to me. Never mind what I said about your marrying me. I wasn’t proposing to you. I only meant that I wanted you to be happy and cherished as you deserve to be. The same way my parents adore and cherish each other.”
Since no one uttered a word, she felt compelled to continue. “I told you yesterday that eligible young gentlemen are lining up outside my door. Well, the truth is, they are not. This is the reason why…I am not very good at keeping my mouth shut and simpering prettily. I talk too much and do not hesitate to give my opinion, usually unasked for and rarely appreciated. But don’t blame my parents for my failings. They would be crushed if you avoided them because of me.”
Innes raised his glass of wine and slowly sipped it, his gaze never leaving hers.
She cleared her throat. “Indeed, I can remain locked away in my room whenever you visit. You won’t ever have to see me again if you don’t wish to. Unless you do wish to see me. Do you think you might ever want to see me again?”
He put his elbows on the table and propped his chin on his hands. “Are you always like this?”
She glanced at her parents in desperation, but they did not appear at all inclined to jump in and save her. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”
No one said anything as the footmen cleared away the soup and brought out the next course, a venison pie. “I remembered it was your favorite, so I asked our cook to make it for us this evening,” Hyacinth said, wishing someone else would talk and relieve her of her misery. “Do you still enjoy it, Innes?”
He nodded. “Still my favorite.”
His expression gave away nothing. However, he remained seated at the table, which in itself spoke volumes. Her accidental marriage proposal—and it had been purely accidental—had not chased him away yet. “Good. I’m glad.” She cleared her throat again. “Mama, is that a new gown you’re wearing?”
“No, dear.”
Ugh. Her parents were now smirking at her.
So was Innes.
“Oh. Well, it looks lovely on you.” She dug into her venison pie. It was delicious. She remarked upon it several times, hoping to spark a conversation. No one took her up on it. She spared a peek at Innes and saw he was enjoying the meal, just as she’d hoped he would. “The crust is delicious, isn’t it, Innes?”
He arched an eyebrow and kept eating.
“Um… I’ll have to compliment our Mrs. Mayhew. She cooked a splendid meal, don’t you think so, Innes?”
He set down his fork and eased back in his chair. “I think my plate speaks for itself. There isn’t so much as a crumb left on it. It was good of you to remember, Hyacinth.”
She smiled in relief.
