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“Oh?” she asked. “And I suppose you expected to find a marriage candidate in Miss Whitworth’s home?”
Andrew smirked and nodded.
“I did, indeed,” he said. “In fact, I not only found a candidate, but I happened to find my future bride. Miss Whitworth has agreed to give me her hand in marriage and her father, Lord Worthingwood, has given me his blessing.”
The baroness’s mouth fell open, and she went deathly pale. She gasped and, to his shock, her eyes suddenly rolled back in her head. Before Andrew could reach for her, she collapsed to the floor.
Andrew knelt beside his mother, his face creased with concern. He hadn’t foreseen this at all when he’d envisioned telling her about Miss Whitworth. He had expected her to be angry and to give him a tongue lashing. But he’d never thought the news would make her ill.
“Help!” he called, feeling on the baroness’s wrist for a pulse. “Someone, help us.”
The butler came rushing in, took in the scene instantly, and said, “I shall have the doctor called at once, my lord.”
Andrew nodded as the man hurried off, then he gently scooped his mother into his arms and carried her to the sofa in the drawing room. He was just laying her down when Gemma and Edmund entered the room.
“Oh, heavens,” Gemma said, rushing to her mother’s side. “What has happened?”
Andrew briefly explained the events up to that point. His sister was understanding and sympathetic, taking his hand and giving him a weak smile.
“Don’t blame yourself,” she said. “After all this time, I am sure it was just a shock for her to hear that you are actually planning to marry. She has probably just collapsed in surprise.”
Andrew nodded, but he wasn’t convinced. What if he had caused his mother’s heart to give out, or shocked her so badly that it had damaged her brain? He had only wanted her to leave off her nagging about Lady Viola. He would never forgive himself if his mother died because of his rebellion.
A short time later, the butler returned, escorting the family physician. After brief greetings and an explanation of what had happened, Andrew, Edmund and Gemma left the room so the doctor could examine the dowager baroness in private. Andrew closed the door behind them, and they all silently trooped over to the parlor.
Andrew and Gemma took seats in the armchairs, while Edmund poured himself and Andrew a stiff drink. Andrew took his gratefully, taking a long sip. Then came a long silence that weighed heavily on Andrew. Though the physician had only been there for a few minutes, it felt to him like an eternity.
“Brother,” Gemma said tentatively, breaking the silence, “may I ask if you have become betrothed to Miss Whitworth just to spite Mother?”
Andrew winced. He had not done it directly to spite her. He had, however, known that it would be an effect of his choice. He didn’t want to confess his thoughts to his sister, though, especially not while their mother was ailing. But nor could he lie to her.
“My marriage to Miss Whitworth is based on convenience,” he said. “It is true that I knew Mother would be unhappy with my decision. But I chose Miss Whitworth because I simply did not wish to marry Lady Viola. And Mother wouldn’t hear any such thing.”
Gemma nodded, but her brow furrowed.
“Brother,” she said, “I agree that Mother should not have pushed you to marry a woman you do not love. But nor should you choose to wed a lady for whom you have no feelings merely for convenience.”
Andrew scoffed. He could not bring himself to say it; his sister was kind and loving, and he adored her. But she had been given the option to marry for love. He was not afforded any such luxury.
“That isn’t always possible, Sister,” he said, more sharply than he had intended.
Gemma did not flinch. She continued looking at Andrew with calm but pleading eyes.
“You needn’t worry about appeasing Mother,” she said. “You and I both know she will not be around forever. Marriage, however, will be. At least, for the rest of our lives.” She paused, sighing. “I have always hoped that, when you eventually do settle down, you would marry for love. I want you to know the happiness I have known since meeting Edmund. I hoped you would know the joy of having a proper life companion, rather than living with someone you hardly know for the rest of your days.”
Andrew looked away from his sister, his own thoughts racing. In a perfect world, he would have wanted to marry a woman he loved. He might have even wanted to sire children with her. But if his parents had ever loved each other, they had hidden it well. Or, at least, it was not the type of romantic love that one found so easily within theton.
And, of course, his father had been the prime example of a terrible parent. Any hopes of having a loving marriage and happy family had died when Andrew realized that the late baron’s family existed only as a means to an end for him. Andrew didn’t know if such cold cruelty could be passed from one generation to the next, but he intended to ensure that no one would ever find out.
“I understand your concerns, Gemma,” he said carefully. “But you cannot know what is best for my life. And it is better that I make my own decisions, as opposed allowing Mother to push me into something that I will absolutely hate, rather than something I can learn to tolerate. And maybe even enjoy.”
He was smiling, but Gemma did not look convinced.
“Andrew,” she said softly. “I know it must seem foreign to you, but I can assure you that love is real, and happiness is attainable. I am sure, for instance, that Edmund and I have the most blissful marriage in all of London. And now, we are expecting a child. I believe that you deserve the same happiness as us.”
Andrew nodded slowly. He was already well aware that Edmund’s match to Gemma had been one of love. When he’d granted Edmund his blessing to marry his sister, he had done so knowing that Edmund adored her. He had known she would not only be well cared for, as any wife in thetonhad a right to expect as her due, but that she would be practically worshipped.
“Your concern is appreciated, Sister,” he said. “But I tell you, I am sure I am making the right choice formylife. Miss Whitworth is lovely, intelligent and kind. What more could I hope for in a match?”
