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Andrew chuckled, despite his worries.
“Not at all,” he said. “I know my sister, and I can see she likes you, as well. I know she would love to be good friends with you.”
Rowena sighed with relief and smiled again.
“I already have two wonderful sisters,” she said. “But I feel I shall be gaining another after we marry. And I must confess that I am very excited about that.”
Andrew nodded, but it was a struggle to maintain his smile. Rowena seemed to be finding happiness within their marriage arrangement. And yet, Andrew was very aware that he was marrying Rowena for all the wrong reasons. Could it be that he was making the biggest mistake of his life? Or, worse still, of Rowena’s?
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Miss Whitworth,” Sally said, rushing into the guest chamber Nancy had lent Rowena to prepare for the ball. “Your bath is drawn.”
Rowena rose off the bed, where she sat wrapped in only a thick, soft robe. She had been trying to convince herself that she was not nervous, and that the hive of activity as the final preparations for the party were made did not frighten her. Neither was true, however. She was very anxious and a bit frightened. Mainly, at the prospect of having to see her cold and distant mother-in-law-to-be that evening.
“Thank you, Sally,” she said, following Sally and slipping into the tub.
“Is the water too hot?” Sally asked as she picked up Rowena’s robe and hung it on the partition nearby.
Rowena shook her head, sighing with delight as the hot, lavender-infused water soaked into her skin, instantly beginning to relax her tense muscles.
“It’s perfect,” she murmured, closing her eyes.
She heard Sally turn on her heels.
“I will be just outside,” she said. “Which dress would you like me to lay out?”
“I have decided on the cerulean-blue gown, with the matching gloves.”
Sally made a soft sound of approval.
“I knew it,” she said. “I shall have it ready to help you dress when you’ve finished bathing.”
Rowena nodded; eyes closed.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
She felt Sally leave the room, and she allowed her mind to wander. She could hardly believe there was only one Sunday left for the banns for her wedding to Andrew to be read. She admitted, if only to herself, that she was starting to develop feelings for her fiancé.
She had let herself imagine, more than once, that they could have a happy and loving marriage, despite the original reasons for their union. However, deep down she was sure Andrew did not feel the same.
She thought back to his behavior at the picnic. He had, until then, seemed relaxed and cordial in her company. But at the picnic two days prior, he had suddenly changed, seeming as though he could hardly stand to be with her. He had volunteered to take Benji for a walk, after all, and Rowena was well aware that he greatly disliked dogs.
Not to mention his apparent discomfort with the way she and Gemma seemed to be getting on. Had his mother said or done something to make him regret his betrothal to her?
I am nothing but a spinster in need of marrying a rich man to restore my family’s fortunes, after all,she reminded herself.It makes sense that he regrets making the offer, likely out of pity, for my hand in marriage.
She thought then of Lady Viola. It was clear to her that the young woman had had her sights set on Andrew. Perhaps, Andrew now wished he had offered for her hand, instead. She was young and pretty, and she had no scandals attached to herself or her family name.
Even if she was a bit airheaded, she was still a far better prospect than Rowena. He would be a fool not to think twice about his decision to marry Rowena instead of Lady Viola. She couldn’t help wondering if she should speak with him about it. She knew what it would mean for her, however. So, with guilty reluctance, she pushed the thought aside.
“Miss?” Sally asked, piercing through her thoughts.
Rowena opened her eyes, only then realizing that the bathwater had started to cool considerably. She looked at Sally, who was holding up a towel and looking at her with intent.
“Oh, my,” Rowena said, carefully rising from the tub. “I was so relaxed, I quite lost my sense of time.”
Sally gave her a gentle nod as she wrapped her in the towel.
