“‘First of all, we're going to see about this not feeling well, because Blanche, I remember you as a very vigorous young lady quite capable of holding her own at shuttlecock, including smacking me with a racket..”
“That was before our fathers announced that we would be wed,” Blanche pointed out. “I wasn’t allowed to hit you for being annoying after that.”
Darrius gave a little snort of laughter. “See the physician. Try to feel better. Let us have a few more honest conversations before we decide what we are going to do.”
“I am not at all sure that it will help,” Blanche said, “but I will do as you suggest and begin with trying a different physician.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Darius replied, “for whether we wed or not, we were childhood playmates and I hold you in some regard. But although I am not angry with you necessarily, on the other hand I will be very honest. I am not looking forward to being married to you.”
“Nor I to you,” she retorted.
“There is a simple solution,” he said. “You can cry off. Ladies can, you know, without damaging your reputation. But if I cry off, then people will wonder why.”
“And do you not think that they will wonder why if I cry off, Darius? It might be a long time before you can get another engagement if we break this one.”
“Better that than a lifetime of misery,” Darius said. “I have seen the arranged marriages where nobody is happy and I do not want that for either of us.”
“Thank you for that,” Blanche said. “You are right. Being honest does help.”
“I regret that the dinner was not to your liking. Our cook is quite good at tempting my mother's appetite. Perhaps if we sent down, he could manage something that your system could tolerate. What has tasted good recently?”
Blanche thought about that for a moment. “Honestly, the soup that we had for dinner tasted good. And yes, I know it was chicken. But I think that, and perhaps a little new bread, I could keep down.”
Darrius tugged on the embroidered bell pull that was beside the library door.
When the butler came, Darrius asked, “Could we have a little more of the soup that was served as the first course for Miss Notley? She is not feeling well and the main course is not appetizing to her.”
“Of course. I would be glad to speak with the cook.”
In just a few minutes one of the maids brought in a tray that held a bowl of broth, several slices of new bread, some sweet butter, and a cup of golden milk tea.
The butler and Darius quickly cleared off one of the library tables making room for the tray.
“You should go back to your guests,” Blanche said. “I will do well enough here.”
“Are you quite certain?” Darrius looked anxious.
“Yes,” she replied, “This actually looks good. I think I might have a little appetite, especially if I can sit quietly and eat without people staring at me.”
Darius glanced at her in astonishment. This was a side of Blanche that he had not seen before. “Very well,” he said. “I will be glad to leave you to your repast. The butler will check in on you from time to time. Or should I have one of the maids sit with you?”
“The butler will be fine,” Blanch said. “I have had enough of people looking at me for today.”
“Very well,” Darius said. “I will go see to my guests.”
As he left the room, his mind was in a turmoil.
Have I wronged Blanche by not paying more attention to her? But she is right. She is a pale imitation of a woman when compared to Mrs. Swinton.
But all I can offer a woman like Mrs. Swinton, the daughter of shopkeepers, unapologetically common, is to be my mistress. Nor did she seem to favor my attentions.
Darius found his own digestion roiling as he stood, irresolute, in the hall. But he was a gentleman, and he had his duties to his guests, his mother, and his estate. He straightened his waistcoat, repositioned the pin on his cravat, and selected a slightly worried but confident expression to display upon his face.
Thus armored, he went back into the dining room.
Chapter 16
“Is there anything more beautiful than a cloudless afternoon in June?” Evelyn asked. It had been her turn to provide the picnic luncheon, but Mayson had been unable to refrain from adding a few extra touches to the bread, cheese, and new apples that she had purchased. He had rounded out their feast with some broken meats left from the noon meal and a bottle of fresh-pressed cider.