When he moved back, he saw her visage entirely changed. Shaken almost. Had he said something wrong? Whatever had bothered her disappeared in a moment as she shook her head and raised her eyes at him.
“Very well then, your Grace. Let us give them what they truly want,” she said and to his surprise moved a little closer to him, so that their bodies were closer than was socially acceptable – well, for a couple who were strangers. Not for those already set to be wed. For those couples, this kind of closeness was entirely expected. She was sending a message.
He swung her, ensuring to smile at her as he did and when the time came to twirl her he made sure to pull her closer than necessary, much to the gasps of the crowd. Sally’s face took on a more determined expression, as if she wanted to shout her disdain at the crowd. As if she wanted to tell them they would not break her.
As they danced and he watched her come to life again as she did what he’d asked of her Leonard understood that the woman he was about to marry was not a wallflower, nor someone who’d been placed in the shadows.
She was though, formidable – and possessed the sort of quiet strength he’d always admired in a woman. Sally was making sure their story would hold, she – no, they – were showing the ton exactly what they needed to see. The perfect couple.
It was really too bad, Leonard thought as the dance came to an end, that theirs would never be more than a marriage for show, otherwise –
No! He could not allow such thoughts. There could be nothing between him and Sally. Between him and any woman. Ever. In addition, he could not allow Sally to develop romantic feelings for him either. He was not the sort of man any woman should love for he knew he would bring nothing buy misery upon any woman unfortunate enough to lose her heart to him.
He’d have to make sure Sally never got any such thoughts. Starting now.
As the song came to an end, he bowed to her.
“Should we discuss things in more detail?” she asked as around them other couples left the dancefloor. He wanted to talk to her more, come up with a plausible story but they’d spent too much time together already. The less they were in each other’s company the better. This was an arrangement after all, not a love story.
“I will speak to Kenneth as I said, and then call on your home in the morning to speak to your father. For now, I must bid you goodnight,” he said and bowed.
“Good night?” she asked, confused. He couldn’t blame her. They’d warmed to one another again, hadn’t they? And now he was turning cold again, like a candle blown out. There was no other way. He had to act this way. For her own good. And for his.
CHAPTER5
Sally
At the breakfast table the following morning, fine porcelain plates adorned with delicate floral patterns were set meticulously alongside polished silverware. A platter of sliced fruits, including succulent peaches and ripe strawberries, greeted Sally as she sat, aware that this was the family’s good china. The sort saved for holidays or special occasions.
I suppose my forced marriage is a special occasion for them.
“Good morning, Sally,” her father said with a smile as she sat. Across from her, Rosy cut into a freshly baked roll, the crust crackling as she slid her knife through it. A plume of steam emitted from the middle filling the room with a delicious aroma. Likewise, peppermint tea – usually a favorite of Sally’s – stood in the middle of the table, steaming to indicate it was fresh.
Alas, she had no appetite. The events of the previous night sat heavy in her stomach and had robbed her of sleep. She hadn’t spoken to Leonard again after their dance as he’d gone to speak with her mother and Kenneth before disappearing. She’d spent some time talking to Joanna, pouring her heart out about the events of the night, while also venting about their mother’s actions. Joanna fully agreed this was all her doing, but at the same time she counseled Sally to be patient and understanding. Being a mother herself had changed her sister’s stance regarding forgiveness, something Sally grappled with.
“… in the early afternoon,” her father said, drawing her from her thoughts. She looked up and blinked, catching the eye of Rosy who’d been peeling an egg.
“It has been some time since you saw the Duke of Chester, has it not, Father? This afternoon’s meeting will be the first time?” Rosy said, eyes fixed on Sally so she’d understand the meaning.
Leonard was coming … As he said he would. And the fact her father was talking about it meant their mother had filled him in already.
“Yes, at least half a year. The young man has been traveling so much we hardly get to see him. Although I suspect that will change now,” he said, beaming at Sally.
“I suspect not. He did not want this marriage any more than I, and I do not expect he will change his life over it,” she answered and plunged her spoon into a bowl full of thick porridge.
Her father opened his mouth but before he could utter a word, their mother cleared her throat and placed her napkin down beside her, extending her hand. It was clear she was looking to change the subject.
“Girls, look what your father brought me from Brighton for my birthday,” she said, proudly displaying the new addition to her jewelry collection, a shimmering ruby ring.
Rosy, a lover of all things jewelry, leaned in with wide-eyed admiration, marveling at the gem’s brilliance, as if she’d already forgotten what their mother had done to Sally. “Oh, Mama, it’s positively stunning!”
Attempting to include Sally in the excitement, the Countess turned to her eldest daughter, a hint of concern in her gaze as if she was ready for a rebuke. “Sally, my darling, what do you think of the ring?”
There were many things Sally could have said. All of them cutting. She could have reminded her mother that her father had missed her birthday altogether. Or that he had showered all the family with gifts large and small for years since his misdeeds had been revealed. He’d cheated an orphanage out of money and cheated on his wife with their governess. Both these statements would have been true. Although Sally knew these words would hurt her mother, they’d also harm her father who had worked hard to make amends both within his family and in the community.
Besides, Rosy would be reminded of the worst time of her life, when she’d hardly been able to get out of bed, crushed by the truth. No, she kept her words to herself. Instead, she glanced at the ring and shrugged, returning to her porridge.
The Countess exchanged a glance with her husband, who cleared his throat.
