“That is the point. I have time to find a tolerable husband now—or a way out of marriage entirely. Please, understand. I cannot have my freedom taken away from me. I’d rather risk it all than agree to Father’s plans. As for Kenneth, I believe he will stick to our agreement. He is a good person.”
Joanna decided not to mention the tingle she’d felt when they’d shaken hands nor the fact that she’d found herself thinking of Kenneth in quiet moments, or the odd dream she’d had the night before, during which she and Kenneth had gotten married for real. These were all foolish thoughts that would amount to nothing—not that she wanted them to.
“Just promise me that you’ll stay vigilant and that you won’t let this charade lead you into dangerous territory, Jo,” Sally pleaded, at last, resignation tinging her words.
“I promise, Sally. I’ll be cautious. But I need this to work for both our sakes.”
If Sally had more to say, she was not able to because Rosy returned then to report on the status of dinner.
As the carriage was brought around, Joanna made her way downstairs. The grandeur of the manor seemed to magnify the complexities of the situation, but she held her head high, a picture of regal composure. At the front door, she was metby Hazel, her mother’s lady’s maid, who would serve as her chaperone for the evening.
“Hazel, good evening. Thank you for accompanying me,” Joanna greeted with a polite nod.
Hazel curtsied in response. “Good evening, My Lady. The carriage awaits.”
Joanna, despite her inner turmoil, climbed into the carriage with an air of grace, the layers of her sapphire gown rustling softly.
As the carriage set off toward the opera house, she couldn’t shake the feeling that each turn of the wheels was propelling her further into the unknown, where the lines between strategy and genuine emotions blurred with each passing moment.
The following evening, Kenneth sat in his study, the latest reports from the orphanage in front of him. He went through each report line by line, realizing with vexation that the kitchen still had not received many of the supplies they had ordered, nor had the funds for the new schoolhouse been deposited. He’d attempted to talk to the Earl about this after dinner the previous evening but found himself unable to do so due to his family’s presence.
Indeed, Kenneth was certain that the Earl had not been totally honest regarding the funds, but now that he was involved with Joanna, he found it difficult to confront him.
I was foolish not to consider this before suggesting this ruse… Now, how will I pressure him? Or could Joanna help me?
Indeed, he’d been surprised to learn how much Joanna disliked her father. He had heard the resentment in her tone whenever she spoke of him. Why was that?
Despite their different characters, how they appeared to have things in common was peculiar. They were both deeply invested in the orphanage, and they both disliked their fathers. He wanted to ask her about her dislike for her father but wasn’t sure if this was something he could bring up. He would have certainly asked if they were really courting. After all, he would want to know what sort of family he married into.
Since theirs was a fake courtship, he knew it was perhaps not right to ask. Though if the matter came up during the intermission at the opera, he certainly would take the opportunity.
His stomach twisted as he thought of tomorrow’s event. The prospect of being seen in public with Joanna left him in conflicted anticipation. A part of him was looking forward to seeing her, while another dreaded the increasingly tangled web they were weaving.
A knock at the door drew his attention, and he looked up. “Enter,” he called.
To his surprise, his mother opened the door.
“Mother, I did not know you were going to call. Please, sit,” he said, ensuring his reaction to her unexpected visit was less hostile than the last time.
The Dowager Duchess entered, her earrings dangling as she sat in the chair in front of his desk. She folded her hands in her lap, an eager smile on her lips. “Kenneth, my dear, I was in the area, and I’ve been eager to hear all about your dinner at the Blackmores’. So, I decided to call on you.”
Kenneth took a deep breath, attempting to push aside his inner turmoil. He had to appear relaxed, as if this hadn’t been one of the most stressful events of his life. “Mother, it was a rather ordinary affair. The usual social niceties, introductions, and the like.”
The Dowager Duchess, perceptive as ever, narrowed her eyes at him. “Kenneth, don’t attempt to evade my questions. How did you like her family? Are they well-mannered? Accomplished? I have asked around and found out that they have an elder daughter who has been out for three years and hasn’t secured a match. Will that be a problem?”
“Problem?” Kenneth wasn’t quite sure what she meant.
“The eldest daughter ought to marry first, you know this. Yet, you are courting the middle daughter,” his mother pointed out.
Once again, he realized how ill-prepared he was.
“Oh, I should not think so. Lady Sally appeared to not have any objections. Besides, she might well find a match soon and wed sooner. Lady Joanna and I only started courting, after all.”
“I do hope you do not mean to imply a lengthy courtship. Kenneth, you must remember that you are nearly thirty years old,” the Dowager Duchess scolded.
Kenneth had to curl his fingers into a fist to keep from snapping at her.
Would she never stop? She wanted him to court, now he was courting. But that wasn’t enough?
