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Jenny frowned. The Viscount of Down was the father of her dearest friend, Daphne. Although his scandal was the topic of nearly every conversation these days, Daphne was holding herself well. And Jenny did not like hearing such demeaning remarks about him.
“Your father neglected his responsibility at the House of Lords andyouhave done your fair share of soiling the name. Restoring the title’s good standing is paramount.”
“What makes you think I give a tinker’s damn about the title?”
Jenny began to drum her hands on her lap, anxious for this duo to finish squabbling so she could get out of there. If it were entirely up to her, she would not have attended this ball. The dowager was hosting it to welcome Nicholas back to England.
Are they not the hosts of tonight’s ball? Could they not talk about this at another time?Jenny suspected it was the only chance the dowager had been able to get to speak with Nicholas. The man could be very elusive when he wanted.
“I am not going to dance to your tune,” he said.
The dowager chuckled. “Oh, you already are.”
“I am not marrying Jenny! Icannotmarry Jenny!”
Jenny’s heart sank to the bottom of her stomach as his words struck her with coldness.
Do I truly deserve this from you, Nicholas? After everything we’ve been through?
“Jenny is my friend,” he continued to say and she almost blurtedwas. Theyhadbeen friends. Years ago. “She’s a good friend. She’s like a sister, even. Surely, you do not expect me to trap myself in marriage with someone I regard as such.”
And Jenny thought his words earlier had wounded her. She winced and turned her face away even though no one could see it.
The dowager chuckled. “When was the last time you saw the girl?”
Jenny remembered the last time she’d seen him. There was a beat of silence before Nicholas answered. “About six years ago. I’m uncertain.”
“She was in the schoolroom then. I am sure you will take back your words when you see her now. You are aman, after all.”
The dowager’s comment objectified Jenny but at the same time, it acted as a salve for her wounds.
“You know,” the dowager continued speaking, “the marriage mart is like a garden, Nicholas, and I carefully picked this girl for you from amongst the many flowers in there.”
“You mean, you carefully picked her for herfather’sclout. Foryourbenefit.”
They insult my father, yet they need him.
“I’m happy you are following.” She sounded somewhat proud of her grandson. “But Lord Hanover’s influence is not all. She is a suitable match for you. I must admit that she reminds me of myself at that age, full of life and fire.”
Jenny almost laughed at that. The woman must be mad if she thought Jenny was like her. For one, Jenny was not the sort of person to go about manipulating people for her gain.
“I shudder at the prospect of growing old with a woman of your nature,” Nicholas said.
“Your grandfather survived it. For a while, at least, and so will you. But that is beside the point. Giving the Seaton title an heir is paramount and she is more than capable of it. She might be petite but she is rounded in all the right places.”
“Good heavens, Grandmother!” Nicholas snapped. “She is not a broodmare!”
It would seem that she was. Jenny knew by now that all she was good for in society was to marry a man with a good fortune and title, and produce heirs. No one cared about her intellectual propensities or what value she could add to the world in that regard.
“I don’t have time for your impertinence, boy. You are marrying her and that is it. I will not discuss this with you any further. The earl and I have already drawn up a contract and all that is left is for you to reacquaint yourself with the girl.”
“You didwhat?” Nicholas asked.
Just then, the library door burst open and a very familiar voice said, “Jenny, I just witnessed what ought to be the scandal of the century!”
