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When she returned home, her father passed her on the staircase on her way to her bedchambers.
“Just in time,” he said, grinning broadly.
Rowena blinked at him, momentarily confused. Then, she took note that he was quite nicely dressed and the memory hit her—the earl was coming for dinner, and she had to get herself ready.
“As I promised,” she said, smiling weakly. “I best go get ready.”
Before the viscount could remember that she had supposedly been to Nancy’s to fetch another dress for the evening, she hurried up the stairs. Sally followed closely, locking the door behind them when they reached her room. Rowena threw herself onto her bed, despite the time and her need to get dressed.
“I cannot bear the idea of spending dinner with the earl,” she said.
Sally sat down beside her and patted her head gently.
“Would you like me to inform your parents you have fallen ill?” she asked.
Rowena considered the question. That would be preferable to attending dinner with Lord Axenshire. However, she knew her father would be furious, even if she truly was ill. Besides, he had just seen her. He would know very well that she didn’t look unwell at all.
“No,” she said reluctantly. “It would be better to just get through this dinner.”
Sally nodded as she sat up, looking at her mistress with deep sympathy.
“Are you going to consider what the baron asked of you?” she asked.
Rowena sighed. Now she was faced with having to share a meal with the awful earl, Lord Elsbrook’s proposal sounded exceptionally tempting. But it was all so much for her to take in, and she was already sick with strain over the evening that stretched before her.
“I must get through this evening,” she said at last. “Then, I can begin thinking about his mad proposal.”
Sally nodded.
“I understand,” she said softly. “Come. Let us get you dressed.”
Rowena sighed.
“Very well,” she said.
It was fortunate that her father didn’t know which dresses Nancy had given her. She had one that he would easily believe was the best one she had right then, a dark-green gown with frills and pearls. It was actually one of the plainer ones, but she knew her father would be pleased. She handed it to Sally wordlessly, then stood limply as the maid helped her dress.
Sally restyled her hair in a tight bun, framing her face with ringlets, and she pinned an emerald comb in front of the bun, like a tiny tiara. She dusted Rowena’s pale cheeks with a little blush, added a little powder, and Rowena was ready at last.
“You look lovely,” Sally said mournfully.
Rowena nodded, feeling like she was on her way to the gallows.
“Then at least Father will be happy,” she said.And that horrible earl, as well.
Both women were silent as Sally escorted her to the main dining hall. Rowena was marginally relieved to see the earl hadn’t yet arrived. But by the time she was seated with her family, the butler came to announce his arrival. The viscount glared at her as if in warning, so she put on her best false smile.
“Good evening,” Lord Axenshire said, bowing stiffly.
“Good evening, my lord,” the viscount said, leaving his chair to greet his guest. “Please, come and join us.”
Rowena, her mother and sister curtseyed as the earl took his seat. Rowena noticed immediately that he was studying her carefully. He and the viscount made small talk amongst themselves while the first course was served. But when they began eating, Rowena noticed the earl was now almost leering at her.
She could not believe her father was allowing such lewd and disrespectful behavior toward her, especially not at their own dinner table. Yet he seemed entirely unconcerned. It hurt her terribly, but all she could do was force herself to eat her meal and do her best to pretend Lord Axenshire wasn’t staring at her.
She succeeded, until her father said something that made the earl laugh. It was loud and startling, and she looked up in his direction. When she did so, she saw him looking her up and down, even more blatantly than before.
“Well,” he said loudly, “I believe you are fine enough for childbearing.”
