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Rowena swallowed. It was hard enough to go through with a marriage to a man she didn’t love. Celebrating what was essentially a sham marriage felt like taking it way too far. And she didn’t know if Lord Elsbrook would approve of such festivities.
She had, after all, made a big point of not drawing any extra attention to their betrothal and marriage in order to avoid any scandal. Having an engagement ball would put them directly in the center of theton’sattention.
“That is too kind of you, Nan,” she said. “But I really do not want to make a big fuss. And I certainly do not wish to inconvenience you with such a big burden.”
Nancy frowned and shook her head, making Rowena feel instantly guilty.
“Don’t be silly,” she said. “My sisters will only get married once in their lives. It would mean the world to me to host an engagement party.”
Rowena’s stomach somersaulted. The expression on her sister’s face told her that she was not getting out of it. Nancy had made up her mind, and she would surely find it odd if Rowena continued to refuse her offer. She gave her sister a small smile, suddenly wishing she was doing anything at all except discussing her impending nuptials.
But before anything else could be said, the butler arrived and announced “Lord Elsbrook is here to call on Miss Rowena, my lady.”
Rowena exchanged a look with her mother, while her sisters gasped with excitement. They all rose just as the baron entered the room, wearing a charming smile that, to Rowena, seemed quite genuine.
“Good day, ladies,” he said, bowing.
Rowena and the other women curtseyed, returning his greeting. Sybil cleared her throat loudly to get Rowena’s attention. When she succeeded, Rowena could see her sister’s cheeks turn pink and her eyes widen and sparkle with delight. She knew her sister was thinking about just how handsome she thought the baron was. She just wished she could enjoy being engaged to such an attractive gentleman, as her sisters already seemed to on her behalf.
“Good day, Lord Elsbrook,” Rowena said. “How nice to see you. Are you here to speak with me about the wedding?”
She had to suppress a shiver as she said the word. Every woman in thetondreamed of her wedding day from the time she was a young girl. And yet, all Rowena could think of was that she had no choice but to marry him.
The baron shook his head, approaching her slowly with his hand extended.
“Actually, I have come to see if you would like to go out,” he said. “If you aren’t too busy, I would like to take you for a drive along Rotten Row.”
Rowena’s somewhat false smile instantly became genuine. Going out would mean she could get away from the discomfort of talking about her wedding and the engagement ball that now seemed inevitable, whether she wanted it or not, at least for a time. She was glad her mother and sisters were happy for her, but their ceaseless wedding chatter was almost overwhelming. Once again, the baron was offering her the perfect escape.
“I would be delighted,” she said.
As she took the baron’s arm, from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Benji, who was sitting on the sofa. He was watching Rowena with his bright, brown eyes, and his curly tail was wagging. She laughed, looking up at her fiancé and motioning toward Benji with her eyes.
“May I bring Benji along with us?” she asked hesitantly, remembering the baron’s previous reaction to her pet. “I know he would love a walk in Hyde Park.”
She could see the baron considering her request as he eyed the dog. He looked doubtful. Did he really not like dogs? If not, he would have to learn to put up with them as part of their marriage pact. For she adored Benji and fully intended to have several more dogs once she had her own household. But after a moment, he gave her a tense smile and nodded.
“He can come along, if you like,” he said.
Rowena gave him a bright smile.
“Thank you, Lord Elsbrook,” she said.
Her fiancé bowed as she called the dog to her. He came to her side immediately, jumping up and down as she bent down to pick him up. Sally followed right behind with his leash and prepared to chaperone the pair on their excursion.
After brief farewells, Sally followed Rowena and her fiancé from the house and to his waiting carriage. Sally held Benji, while the baron helped Rowena into the carriage. She couldn’t ignore the chills she felt running up her spine as his hand touched hers, but she fought to keep her calm, pleasant smile. When they were all seated comfortably, the baron gave his orders to drive them to Hyde Park.
The first few minutes of the ride were silent. Rowena tried to read her fiancé, but he seemed to be lost in thought, staring out of the window. Rowena realized she should make an effort to get to know the man who would soon be her husband. She smiled at him, though he wasn’t looking at her.
“It is a lovely day, is it not?” she asked, immediately wincing at her foolish choice of conversation.
Andrew, however, immediately turned his attention to her. To her surprise, he smiled and nodded.
“It is,” he said. “That is one reason why I invited you out this afternoon.”
Rowena blushed and nodded.
“Of course,” she said.
