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The following three days were a blur of wedding talk, dress fittings, and plans for the engagement party. Nancy had been thrilled when Rowena gave her blessing for her to host the ball. Rowena’s mind was spinning with the suddenness of everything. And, in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help being disappointed that she wasn’t able to enjoy the whole experience more. She also felt terrible about pretending to be excited so that her sisters wouldn’t suspect anything.
Her mother, she noticed, was beginning to behave more like herself. Rowena could see her struggling with the idea of Rowena being forced to marry, but it was clear that the viscountess was relieved she wouldn’t have to wed the earl. Her mother had even been delighted to help her choose her wedding dress. Rowena guessed that some part of her must believe that, even though her daughter wasn’t marrying for love, she was making the best decision she could, given their circumstances.
And, of course, there were the thoughts of Andrew. Rowena found she thought of him more with every passing day. She even reread his letter about the opera several times, trying to ascertain the meaning behind his desire to spend time with her.
Surely, he was merely ensuring that they appeared every bit the happy, loving couple thetonthought they should be. But what Sally had said also rang in her mind. She doubted he would ever have romantic feelings for her or her for him. But it was an idea that she admitted to herself she could adjust to, should such a thing occur.
The day before the opera, Rowena wrote back to Andrew, confirming that she would attend. Then, she and Sally spent a few hours looking at her wardrobe, which was slowly filling with new dresses of her own. With her marriage to Andrew a sure thing, there was money to buy new outfits for both Rowena and Sybil.
After much deliberation, she chose a deep-red silk dress with matching gloves, shoes, hat and reticule. She also chose a ruby necklace and matching earrings that her mother had bought for her debut season.
For the first time, she began to consider the benefits of marrying Andrew rather than any potential problems. Not only could she buy new outfits now rather than wearing old ones in public, but Sybil would be able to, as well. And her younger sister was assured of having a grand debutante ball, where she would now surely have her pick of the men.
At dinner that same evening, Rowena announced that Andrew had invited them all to the opera. Her mother seemed thrilled by the invitation. Her father, though he accepted it, seemed more than a little indifferent. Rowena couldn’t help wondering if her father was bitter because she would not be marrying the earl. Surely, that would pass, if it was the case at all. Especially as her father had now gotten used to the benefits of Andrew’s wealth.
The next day, Rowena spent much of the day in her chambers reading, with Benji curled up and sleeping peacefully in her lap. With it drawing closer to time to attend the opera, all she could think about was Andrew. She was surprised to find that she was looking forward to seeing him that evening. But she was thinking about something else, as well.
On their walk in Hyde Park, he had opened up to her about something that was clearly very important to him. There was no denying that he had trusted her enough to share something about his childhood with her. That was confirmation to her that he was interested in having a friendship with her. She also couldn’t deny that there was more to her future husband than met the eye.
At midafternoon, Sally entered her bedchambers, disrupting her thoughts of her fiancé. The maid smiled sweetly at her, coming over and scratching the dozing puppy on top of his head.
“I have come to help you dress for the opera, miss,” she said. “Are you ready?”
Rowena nodded, and they started on the long process of getting her dressed for the opera. Finally, pleased with how well the dress flattered her figure, Rowena donned the matching shoes and gloves and sat patiently while Sally styled her hair tightly atop her head, with loose curls framing her face. The final touches were the ruby necklace and earrings and a few dabs of rose perfume.
Then, her maid escorted her mistress downstairs, where her parents awaited her in the drawing room. She and her parents went to the waiting carriage silently, and Rowena wondered if her father had put up a fight about attending. He didn’t smell terribly of alcohol, but he looked haggard and miserable. She hoped he had left his hip flask at home.
The viscountess, however, looked the opposite of her husband. Her green dress gave her blue eyes an emerald sparkle, and there was a flush to her cheeks. Rowena was glad to see she looked much more herself than she had in the previous weeks, but she sensed an awkwardness between her parents.
“Oh, darling,” Lady Worthingwood said as the coach rolled away, “Nancy is making the most wonderful preparations for your engagement ball. Cresingdale Manor is already beginning to fit to host a royal event. Isn’t it wonderful, Gerald?”
Rowena looked at her father, who had his hand over his eyes. He mumbled something incoherent and didn’t look at the women. Rowena realized he was suffering from a hangover, and she prayed that he wouldn’t make a fool of himself, or of their family, at the opera.
When the carriage stopped in front of the theater, her mother’s eyes lit up with joy. Rowena found herself wondering when the last time was when her father had taken her mother out for anything nice. She couldn’t help wondering when her father had changed so much.
He stumbled out of the carriage, helping his wife alight almost as though it was an afterthought. The viscountess didn’t seem bothered by his distracted indifference, but Rowena blushed. When it was her turn to exit the coach, she held out her hand, expecting a footman to take it. But when she looked into the face of her fiancé and took his hand instead, she gasped softly.
“I arrived a few minutes ago,” he said. “I was waiting for you.”
Tingles coursed through her at the touch of Andrew’s hand as he helped her down onto the pavement.
“Thank you,” she said, blushing furiously.
Andrew gave her a warm, charming smile.
“You look beautiful,” he said, gazing at her intensely. “That color suits your complexion. It looks very lovely on you.”
Rowena felt she might swoon as she took the arm he offered her.
“Thank you for saying so,” she said, suddenly feeling very shy. “You look very handsome, as well.”
Andrew smiled at her again, not breaking her gaze for another few moments. Then, he and Rowena led their party past the tall white pillars separating the theater from the street and into the crowded lobby.
They made their way slowly through the sea of people into the auditorium. The center seats were all nearly filled, and the rows of boxes on either side of the room were filling just as quickly. Rowena and her family followed Andrew toward his box, where she could see his mother was already seated. Though Rowena was sure the baroness saw them, she did not so much as acknowledge their approach.
She didn’t know how her future mother-in-law felt about her, though the signs weren’t good, but she thought it best to let the baroness approach her in her own time. She sensed the woman was intentionally ignoring her, but she hoped she was wrong. Perhaps she was just surprised at her son’s sudden decision to marry Rowena.
