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“I was so worried when I received it.I never expected you to take me up on my offer.What happened?”
Mary’s mouth twisted for a moment.“She threatened to marry me off to someone of her choosing.Which means…”
“Old but wealthy.”
“Exactly.Someone she can brag about being connected to but with whom I would never be happy.”
Amelia shook her head.“I know it’s a common practice, but how could she do that to you?”
Mary raised a brow.“I daresay that describes the relationships of most of the ton.Which means that for every love match, like yours, countless others must enter into practical unions that suit their families more than themselves.”
Amelia let out a small huff of air.“Well, you are not going to be one of those people.”
Mary gazed out the window, trying not to think too much about the future.Would she be lonely in her new life?It was one thing to be alone when her sister went into town for the spring.That was a finite amount of time.Mary scarcely had enough time for the daily tension of her normal life to leave before her sister was sweeping back with stories of all the things she’d done and what everyone else was doing.And at least the gossip meant Edwina wasn’t fixing her critical gaze on her sister.
Mary had never been alone for longer than a few months.Her future now stretched out before her, years where she would be on her own.But given the alternative, she had no regrets.She could do whatever she wanted during the next few months before heading out to her quiet life in the country.
“Lord Ashford is going to find me somewhere to stay.He assures me that his family’s holdings are vast and that he’s certain he can find something appropriate.”Amelia’s mouth had dropped open.“I know you said that your husband would find me a cottage where I can live a life of quiet contemplation, but…” She lifted one shoulder, stopping herself from revealing the truth about her agreement with Ashford.
“We can’t allow that,” Amelia said after several seconds had passed.Her voice dropped into a whisper.“Everyone will assume you are his mistress.”
Mary couldn’t hold back her giggle at the ridiculous statement.“No one will care, Amelia.Who would even know where I went after the season was over?”
“Your sister—”
“Won’t say a word if she thinks it might reflect poorly on her.”
Amelia didn’t say anything, but there was something in the way her friend was looking at her that told Mary she very much wanted to.She let out a sigh.“You needn’t fear—Ashford hasn’t asked me to be his mistress.”
“But he’s setting you up in a house.”
“He knows my family… It’s charity.I mentioned something about you and Lowenbrock helping me to find somewhere to live, and he offered to help.”
Amelia crossed her arms.“And you took his help over ours?”
“His estate isn’t all the way up in Yorkshire.I love you, Amelia, but I’m not sure I’m ready to move that far away.”
Amelia huffed out a snort of amusement, bumping her shoulder against Mary’s.“You’re terrible.Now tell me everything about what is happening between you and Ashford.I’m beginning to think you won’t need thatcharityby the time the season comes to an end.”
Somehow she held back a wince.She hated lying to her closest friend, but she and Ashford had agreed that they needed to keep their agreement a secret for now.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Amelia scowled.“Don’t be coy with me.I know the two of you were seen together at Hyde Park yesterday.”
“How on earth did you hear about that?”The question was out before she realized just how silly it was.Of course Amelia had heard about their outing.Mary had seen the stares and whispering and imagined speculation was running rampant about the two of them.That would only get worse as the season progressed and Ashford continued to make her the focus of his attention.
“Why didn’t you tell me?Lord Cranston told John and he, of course, told me.Apparently everyone is talking about it.”
This time she did wince.This was the outcome they’d hoped for, but it was more than a little unsettling to know she was the focus of so much gossip.She who’d never had any attention paid to her.It was no wonder Edwina was so angry.
“It was only one carriage ride.”
“Through Hyde Park during the fashionable hour when everyone was there to see you.”
Mary tilted her head.“I don’t recall seeing you there.”
Amelia let out a breath, her annoyance clear.“That’s as good as declaring his intentions toward you.So I’m asking you again, what is going on between the two of you?”
