“Sally, I understand that last night’s events may have come as a shock to you,” he began gently, pouring himself a cup of tea. “But you should feel fortunate. Leonard Harding is a fine gentleman—a man of integrity and kindness. I’ve seen firsthand the good work he’s done with the orphanage and other endeavors. I am certain if business did not take him away so often he’d be a compassionate peer at parliament as well.”
Sally glanced up briefly, offering a polite nod before returning her gaze to her plate.
“He may be a wonderful match for some lady but this particular lady would have preferred to make her own choices. Or have you forgotten how difficult it was for Joanna when she was robbed of her choice?” Sally asked, keeping her tone even. Across from her, Rosy’s hand stopped in the air, the egg yolk wobbling on the spoon. Likewise, her parents stared at her.
“Sally, the situation is different,” her father said but the strain had crept into his voice. “I made a mistake putting Joanna in the situation she was in. You on the other hand were caught …”
“Because Mother arranged it all!”
“I intended for you to be pushed into getting to know the Duke better, that is all. I did not know you’d be half disrobed,” her mother replied. Lord Carlisle closed his eyes and rubbed his eyebrows so furiously, Sally wondered if they might come off entirely.
“I do not need to hear about my daughter’s state of dress or undress as it were. And I do not need this tension at the breakfast table. Sally, it is what it is. You must marry him” he said. “As far as calamities of this nature go, we were lucky. He is Kenneth’s best friend and a Duke. Many young ladies would envy such a match, and you will ascend to the title of Duchess.”
Sally, however, remained unconvinced. “But, Father, do you truly believe he wishes to marry me?” she challenged. “He seemed to enjoy his life with his travels and let us not forget the women.”
“We must not put stock in what the scandal sheets say,” her father replied. “Kenneth always said it was nothing but Banbury tales and I believe that to be so.”
Sally steamed inside. She knew she had no choice but to agree to this marriage, but that didn’t mean she was pleased with it. While she was distressed, she knew she’d have to make the best of this – whatever the circumstances. It wasn’t as if she was blind to the truth in her father’s words. She would be a Duchess, and for the daughter of an Earl that was an achievement. Marrying up was something many ladies dreamed about. Yet, she’d dreamed of more …Most of all, she’d always wanted children and in an arranged marriage, that would likely never come to pass. Not the way Leonard had reacted.
“He said he wouldn’t marry me at first,” she pointed out, but her father waved his hand, the light reflecting of his fork as he did so.
“It was the shock speaking, surely. You are a paragon of beauty, kindness, and grace. Your accomplishments and impeccable manners speak volumes. It’s a wonder no one has proposed to you before.”
Sally’s heart softened as she recognized the sincerity in her father’s words. She realized then that his fears of her ending up a spinster mirrored her own, perhaps even more intensely than she had imagined. And if her father was so concerned, then her mother’s worry had to have been multiple times that – being that she knew how hard it was to make a good match. As she looked at her parents now, she saw the strain of two people who’d thought their daughter’s fate sealed lifted from them.
The realization weighed heavily upon her, tempered by the understanding that her parents’ concern stemmed from a place of genuine love and care.
Quietly, Sally withdrew into herself, her earlier defiance melting away. She observed her mother’s reassured expression, understanding the depth of their shared apprehension about her future. In that moment, the gravity of their unspoken fears spoke volumes, prompting Sally to hold her tongue and retreat into a contemplative silence.
* * *
The garden, bathed in the soft hues of the early afternoon, provided a serene backdrop as Sally sat on a weathered bench, her gaze fixed on the winding road from where Leonard would arrive. She was training her mind to think of him as Leonard rather than the Duke or His Grace, for she’d have to call him by his Christian name once they were wed. She’d waited to see him for she realized they’d not discussed when they be married or where. None of the details had been resolved nor their approach to this. He’d left her so suddenly, she’d still not recovered fully.
As she waited in silence, lost in her thoughts, the sound of approaching footsteps drew her attention. Turning her head, she saw Rosy making her way towards her, her expression a mix of concern and sympathy.
“Hey, Sally,” Rosy greeted softly, taking a seat beside her sister on the bench. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Sally managed a faint smile, grateful for her sister’s company. “I needed some fresh air,” she admitted. “I love the spot under the oak tree, don’t you?”
“I do. Do you remember when we had a swing hanging here? Father took it down when Joanna decided to climb up it,” Rosy giggled and despite herself, Sally joined in.
“I miss those days,” Sally said and stretched her legs out a little as a squirrel leaped from branch to branch above. “I wonder if there will be a tree like this at Leonard’s estate.”
“There is,” Rosy exclaimed. “Do you not remember? We had a picnic there just before he left for his first journey.”
Sally nodded, recalling the afternoon now. “We played shuttlecock with him.”
“Yes, you and he paired up against Kenneth and Joanna. And you won. I thought the two of you were a lovely pair even then,” Rosy paused and turned to her placing a hand on her back. “I still think you could be.”
Surprised by her sister’s admission, Sally turned to look at her, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “You do?”
Rosy nodded, her expression solemn. “Faith, yes! I mean, then you and Joanna would be married to best friends. I really thought that if he hadn’t left and been gone for such long periods you might have found one another. I wonder where he always goes, he is gone for weeks at a time.”
Sally shrugged. “Business. You know his family owns vineyards, and not just here but in Spain and Portugal. Joanna said his father’s sudden death left the estate in somewhat of a shambles. He tried to send his steward and representatives, but I suppose he wasn’t satisfied and thus went himself. Plus, he visits the vineyards in England as well.”
Rosy nodded and then her face lit up. “Perhaps you can go with him on his travels?”
A hint of sadness flickered across Sally’s features as she considered her sister’s words. He’d made it quite clear he wished for them to lead separate lives after the honeymoon. But had he meant it? She looked at the road again and considered the time. It was so late now, she had to wonder if he’d changed his mind. He did seem to be quite the peculiar man.
