“Do you even know him, Vincent?” Lavender asked, still reeling.
“I do not need to know him well,” Vincent explained. “Many lords and ladies marry each other without even meeting beforehand. In this case, you will be betrothed and get to know each other during the course of the Season, before your wedding. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
“I did not mean for you to shackle me to a gentleman whose first words to me were ruder than anything I have ever heard before!”
Vincent frowned at that. “You sound displeased, Lav.”
Lavender shook her head, trying to rein in the overwhelming horror she felt at this news. Her brother was trying, at least. After all this time, when it felt as if he always had more important things to do than heed his promise to her, it was a step in the right direction. But if that meant she was heading straight to the earl then perhaps they needed to take a few steps back.
“I ask again, Vincent,” she said as calmly as she could. “Do you know who he is?”
“If you are referring to his former status as a bastard then yes, I am aware.”
“What will others say if I am to be the bride of a gentleman who was once a bastard?”
“They will say nothing because he is no longer one. He is the Earl of Derby and no amount of rumours will change that.” Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose, looking weary. Lavender hated whenever he put that expression on his face. “Give it some time, Lav. You will come around to the idea, and to him, in time.”
Lavender swallowed her protests. She seriously doubted it. Being the earl with such rumors attached to their name was onething. But he had already proven himself to be nothing but a rude brute with no proper upbringing. Lavender couldn’t promise that she would stay civil in his presence, let alone marry him!
But she was getting what she wanted finally after all this time. A step into the life of the upper class, though tethered to the earl. At least now she would be able to enjoy the London Season and the intricacies of elite company the way she’d always seen in the books.
Perhaps it would not be as bad as she thought. God she prayed that was the case.
Chapter Four
This might have been a mistake.
Austin couldn’t recall how many times he’d thought that since he’d left Latrice Manor yesterday afternoon. Now that he was back the next day, the thought ran through his mind with increasing speed and urgency.
Everything had changed. It was a little alarming how quickly everything moved. Vincent Latrice had made good on his promise to pay double Lavender’s dowry up front. Austin had barely had enough time to meet with his steward to assist with the allocation of the funds. But it was so much money that Austin felt a little unsteady now that he could go about with a full wallet.
Perhaps that would have been enough to put a smile on his face. But forcing himself to dress up this afternoon, hire a new coachman, and head to the Latrice Manor to meet with his new betrothed, was enough to put him in the foulest of moods.
Come and see me at noon. Lavender.
The note he’d received early this morning had been simple yet bossy. Austin already resented the fact that he had to heed her request. He was a man of his word, even if he was beginning to wonder if the money he’d received was worth doing all of this.
“Welcome, my lord.” The uptight butler greeted him formally upon opening the door and it took all of Austin’s strength not to shove right past him. “Miss Lavender is expecting you.”
“Let us get this over with then,” he grumbled under his breath. He brushed past him, shaking off the feeling of discomfort that settled in his bones.
“Please, follow me then.” It seemed the butler didn’t care to hide his distaste. Austin caught a glimpse of disdain in his eyes before he turned and made his way toward the sweeping staircase that sat to the left of the foyer.
Austin ignored him, his attention drawn to the ornate paintings lining the walls. A keener eye might have been able to determine the value of the pieces but it seemed rather expensive to Austin’s untrained eye as well. His discomfort only grew as hestudied the gold-lined banister of the staircase and intricate carvings in the wooden floor when they came to the landing. It seemed as if the Latrice family was content to display their wealth in every manner they could.
They may not be a part of the upper class, Austin thought, but he doubted they were any different. The butler brought him down a long hallway with far too many large mahogany double doors. Austin couldn’t fathom why anyone would need this many rooms. Even Derby Estate in Bath was not this large, though the land surrounding the manor outshone that of Latrice Manor in droves.
At long last, the butler came to a stop in front of yet another massive double door and knocked. “Miss Lavender? Lord Derby is here to see you.”
“Send him in!” came an urgent voice from the other end.
The butler turned and bowed to Austin. Austin scratched the back of his head, resisting the urge to turn and walk right back the way they came. He would never get used to such displays of reverence.
“Please call if you need me, my lord,” the butler said, sounding rather humble considering the way he had looked at Austin just a few minutes prior.
Austin didn’t bother to respond. He waited until the butler walked away then faced the door again. He didn’t want to go in. He would much rather be anywhere else but here.
But duty called, he supposed.
