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“Well, I wasn’t expecting her … behaviour. She was a bit too much for my liking. But she was looking for a husband, and I’m friends with Westbury. He was concerned about Aimee not being married at this age, and I wanted to be sure that the viscountcy was safe. You needed a wife, and he needed another daughter to get married. It seemed like the logical solution.”
“Even though you don’t like her?”
“I didn’t say anything about not liking her.”
“You didn’t need to,” Thomas grunted. “I can see the look on your face whenever Aimee is mentioned. You’re not happy about it at all.”
Hawksworth pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I admit that I’m not too keen on her becoming my daughter-in-law with the way she is. But she’s still young, and given her sisters have plenty of children, it’s safe to say she can give you enough children to secure the line.”
“I don’t think you will be having grandchildren from us if I were to marry Aimee,” Thomas said. The thought of being intimate with Aimee made him shudder. “I could marry her, but that would be it. Nothing further.”
“I had a feeling that was the case. I’ve seen how you are around her, and you don’t like her, either, do you?”
“Absolutely not. She’s rude, abrasive, and snobbish. And have you heard the way she talks about and to her younger sister? Her disrespect, especially with the rest of her family involved, is not attractive at all.” Thomas shook his head. “With all that, I can’t marry Aimee. I won’t be proposing this week. I just can’t.”
He didn’t say anything about Sophia. If he mentioned he was in love with the younger sister, this wouldn’t go well. Thomas wanted to leave that until he had dealt with the situation with Aimee before he brought it up; his father wouldn’t be impressed that he had been alone and intimate with Sophia when he was meant to be a gentleman.
Finally, Hawksworth sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. Then he got up and started pacing towards the window.
“This is not going to go down well, Thomas. You are aware that it’s going to be awkward between our families if we break things off now.”
“Only because Aimee and her family are already talking about weddings and the future. Aimee keeps talking as if I’ve already asked her to be my wife, and we’re already in the engagement period.”
“Nevertheless …”
Thomas got to his feet.
“Besides, I’m not your only son. There’s Edwin, and I’ve seen him with Lady Christiana Hales. It’s clear they like each other. There’s a chance that you’ll have a son getting married soon. It doesn’t have to be me who gets married for the viscounty to be secure, does it?”
“I … I suppose you’re right.” Hawksworth turned away from the window. “And you’re certain about Edwin and Lady Christiana.”
“Absolutely. You just have to look at them to know.”
His father was silent for a moment. Then he nodded.
“Alright. You don’t have to marry Aimee Burke if you don’t want to.”
“Really, Father?”
“Yes. If you’re uncomfortable about it and have misgivings, I won’t force you into it. But don’t do anything yet.”
Thomas frowned.
“What? Why not?”
“We’ve got another two weeks before we go back home. I know Westbury is expecting you to propose to his daughter at the ball being hosted here, but if you break things off now, it’s going to make our time here really awkward. Wait until we’re about to leave before you say anything.”
Thomas folded his arms.
“You do realise it’s going to make your friendship with Lord Westbury awkward regardless of when I do it?”
“I’m allowing you not to propose, but I don’t want you to jump straight into it. If we leave early, people will be asking questions, and I’m not interested in answering them.” Hawksworth held up a hand as Thomas started to protest. “I’m not saying to lead her on, but don’t push her aside at the same time. You can just say on the last day that things are not working out, and maybe you should part ways. Just another couple of weeks, that’s all.”
Thomas didn’t know if he could last that long. But it did mean a couple more weeks to see Sophia and try to show that he loved her. Seeing her would make things a little more bearable, even if she was in Pierce’s company.
It felt like he was betraying his own heart following his father’s request, but Thomas couldn’t go against it. Sighing, he nodded.
