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No, an inner voice scolded him,she is under no false pretenses about this marriage. She has agreed to the terms, and she is thrilled not to have to marry the earl. You have vowed to never continue the family bloodline. Developing feelings for Rowena would ruin that resolve.
The voice behind the words that invaded his mind sounded suspiciously like his cruel father’s. And yet, even as he tried to shake away the thoughts, he knew there was truth to them. Even entertaining the notion of seeing Rowena as anything other than the woman who was saving him from having to procreate was dangerous. They could be amicable enough and learn to find contentment with their new lives. But that would be as far as things ever went. It was just how things had to be.
He tore his gaze away from his bride and turned it to the stage. He knew the last thing he needed was to become emotionally invested in Rowena. Even if not for everything else, Andrew reminded himself that she hadn’t seemed too fond of him since first meeting him. Their marriage of convenience would work well enough. He refused to consider complicating it with romance. That was as foolish as it was impossible, and he wouldn’t think of it again.
When the performance concluded, the audience erupted into wild applause. Even his mother clapped with apparent delight, and Andrew realized that he hadn’t paid attention to a single thing that had happened on the stage. He gave himself a mental shake for letting himself become so preoccupied with pointless woolgathering. He made a strict vow to never again forget that he was marrying Rowena for convenience alone.
He escorted his mother and Rowena out of the box, with the rest of their families following closely behind. The walkways leading to the theater’s entrance were even more clogged than when they had entered, with patrons standing around to gossip about the performance. He was paying no attention when he suddenly bumped into another group of people. Then, his mother started cooing and embracing one of them.
“Oh, how lovely to see you,” she gushed, releasing the woman, whom he quickly recognized as Lady Viola’s mother.
Lady Kinswood turned and indicated a tall, well-dressed young gentleman standing right beside her daughter.
“Carol, I would like you to meet the Marquess of Solingdale,” she told the baroness.
Andrew recognized the man instantly. Much like Rowena’s father, Henry had a penchant for drinking and gambling. He couldn’t believe that even a lady as shallow as Lady Viola would find herself in the presence of the irresponsible marquess.
Henry bowed, trying to seem charming and refined. But Andrew had seen him, on numerous occasions, throw glasses full of drink against the walls of several clubs in fits of rage, having lost money betting. Andrew had no business confronting the man then, however, he decided. What would be the point? It was nothing to him who Lady Kinswood allowed her daughter to consort with.
His mother gave him a pointed look before beaming at Lady Viola.
“You look very elegant, my dear,” she said, patting the young woman’s arm.
Lady Viola gave his mother an overly sweet smile as she curtseyed.
“Thank you, Lady Elsbrook,” she said. “It is so lovely to see you again.”
Andrew rolled his eyes as the women gushed over each other. He wanted nothing more than to get his mother and fiancée out of the theater and away from Lady Viola.
“Likewise, dear,” she said. Then, she turned toward Henry and said pleasantly, “You are very fortunate to be in the company of such a lovely lady, my lord.”
Andrew’s hackles instantly rose. He understood that his mother didn’t know what he knew about the marquess, but her behavior bordered on deliberate provocation. She was also embarrassing both him and, more to the point, Rowena, who was standing next to him.
He glanced at Rowena, and he could see the hurt in her eyes. He shot his mother a sharp, heated look before clearing his throat very loudly and deliberately.
“We best be on our way,” he said firmly. “Have a lovely evening.”
With that, and with Lady Viola’s burning gaze on his back, Andrew continued pushing his way toward the lobby, until at last they were spilling back onto the pavement outside, where a line of carriages waited. Suppressing his anger toward his mother, he escorted Rowena and her parents to her father’s carriage, giving her a small smile. He noted that she still looked wounded, though calm, and blamed his mother’s inconsiderate actions.
“Good night, Rowena,” he said, kissing one of her gloved hands. It was something a man should only do if he had romantic feelings for his intended, he knew. But he hoped it would cheer up Rowena, as he hated seeing the hurt in her eyes. Plus, he secretly admitted that he hoped it would anger his mother.
When he and the dowager had boarded their own carriage, he turned a hard glower onto his mother.
“Do you mind telling me just what you thought you were doing earlier?” he asked.
His mother shrugged, feigning innocence.
“I was simply greeting a dear friend and her beautiful daughter,” she said.
Andrew snorted.
“Funny then that you knew precisely what I was referring to,” he snapped. “Why was it necessary for you to make such rude insinuations with Rowena standing right there?”
The baroness sighed and shrugged again.
“Darling, the truth hurts,” she said. “I can see that you are jealous that Lady Viola has already found another suitor.”
Andrew laughed out loud, which startled his mother, much to his satisfaction.
