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Gemma sighed and shook her head.
“I am just fearful that you will end up like Father,” she said sadly.
Andrew had to force himself to not bristle at his sister’s words. She had meant no harm, but she had reminded him of how easy it would be to end up just like the late baron.
He shuddered at the idea of having a son and taking his wrath out on him when something didn’t go as expected with a business deal, or when his wife displeased him. He had tried for so many years to receive his father’s unconditional love. And yet, all he had ever gotten was cruelty, coldness and, on good days, being blatantly ignored. He knew Gemma had meant nothing hurtful by what she’d said. But she didn’t know that every choice he made in his life was to ensure he never became his father.
“I love you, Sister,” he said truthfully. “Your concerns are understood. I just ask that you trust my decision. I will not regret the choice I have made. And I will not end up like Father. I can assure you of that.”
Gemma frowned, clearly not convinced.
“You deserve better than Father allowed himself,” she said.
Andrew bit the inside of his cheek to stifle a snort. His father had always gotten exactly what he wanted: money, more and more of it. Even if his father still lived, Andrew knew he would still be pleased with his exploits and not at all remorseful for the way he had treated his family. He said none of this aloud, however. There was no need to hurt his sister. Like him, she had loved their father despite his indifference toward them.
“Lord Elsbrook?” The physician’s voice startled Andrew.
He rose, trying to pretend the man had not caught him off guard.
“Yes?” he asked. “How is she?”
The physician smiled indulgently and nodded.
“She will be fine,” he said. “She is just in need of some rest.”
Andrew walked over to the man, pulling out his coin purse and handing him a handsome sum of coins. Deep down, he had known his mother had simply fainted out of shock. However, he was relieved to know there was nothing seriously wrong with the dowager.
“Thank you,” he said. “I shall call you should anything further occur.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Oh, Sister,” Nancy gushed for the tenth time in two days, “I cannot express how thrilled I am for you. This is quite sudden, but I am so glad that you have found happiness, just as you deserve.”
Sybil nodded, grinning.
“It is rather sudden, isn’t it?” she said. “Oh, to think of how quickly romance must have bloomed between them for him to propose before Rowena even told us she was interested in him!”
Rowena forced a smile as her stomach twisted. She glanced at her mother, who looked tired and forlorn. The women were alone in the drawing room, with the viscount absent once again, as he often was since Rowena’s engagement had been announced.
It was hardly surprising, seeing as he didn’t need worry about money any longer. Rowena’s betrothal to the baron had secured their family financially. Therefore, the viscount was free to frequent his clubs once more, surely boasting about marrying off his spinster daughter to a wealthy man. It occurred to her that she had no idea how wealthy Lord Elsbrook actually was. But she knew her father would have never agreed to marry her off to a man with a small or nonexistent fortune.
“Look at you,” Nancy said, startling Rowena when she put her hand over hers, “you look as if you can hardly believe what is happening.”
Rowena nodded slowly.
“You are correct in that,” she said.If you only knew how much of a surprise this is to me,she added silently. She had not told her sisters she was marrying for convenience. She simply chose not to correct them when they carried on about her having found love.
Nancy smiled knowingly.
“As much as I loved Colin, I was nervous, as well,” she said. “But the moment I was introduced to Society as Lady Cresingdale, my heart soared. I knew I had made the right decision, and I could not wait to start my life as Colin’s countess. I know you will feel the same way, too.”
Rowena nodded, guilt pulling at her insides. She desperately wanted to tell her sisters the truth. Now her marriage was secured, there would be no financial woes, and thus, no strain on her sisters. She despised lying to those she loved most. But the truth would humiliate their mother. So, she had to keep her secret.
“And he is very handsome, Rowena,” Sybil said dreamily. “I dare say that you are a very lucky woman.”
Rowena nodded again. The baron was attractive, indeed. His personality left a lot to be desired, though he did seem to have a warm heart somewhere in him.And he is many times better than that horrid earl,she reminded herself. As uncertain as she was about her future with the baron, she could not deny that one fact.
“I have a wonderful idea,” Nancy said, sounding even more excited than before. “Why don’t you let me host an engagement ball in your honor, Sister? I would just love to do that for you.”
