2
Six months later.
“When Lord Pendleton extended an invitation to visit his estate, I’d no idea we’d be traveling into the wilds of England. I hadn’t realized his estate was quite so far away. Goodness, I feel as if we are in a different country,” Mother said, smoothing down an errant fold in her skirt.
Petra grasped the window ledge as the coach listed dangerously to one side. The roads were excessively rough and full of nothing but ruts and potholes. She was certain the springs of her father’s coach were on the verge of being ruined forever. He’d have fits when they finally returned home and he saw the damage. “Derbyshire is still in England, Mother. It is not so very far.”
“We should already be planning your wedding from the comfort of London.” Mother’s lips formed a tiny hill of disapproval. “Traveling all this way when the end result will be the same.”
Petra absolutely hated that particular expression of her mother’s. The pursing of Mother’s lips all but decreed Petra was about to be chastised in some way.
“My request is not an unusual one.” Petra murmured and pressed her forehead into the glass window. “I only wished to meet Simon’s family and spend some time with him to make sure we suit.”
“Lord Pendleton has made his intentions toward you clear. There was no need for us to come all this way.” Mother sniffed. “Apparently he feels youdosuit.”
“I wish to be certain. It is my life, after all, Mother.” Marriage was a daunting proposition even though she’d been preparing for such a thing her entire life.
“Petra,” Mother admonished her, “I’m not sure what is the cause of your foul mood; perhaps your distress is caused by nerves.”
“I was fine until dinner last night. I believe the stew didn’t agree with me.”
“Nerves, Petra. I ate exactly the same stew as you and have suffered no ill effects. You are only anxious at meeting Lord Pendleton’s family. I don’t blame you, of course. I was nervous the first time I met your grandparents, knowing your father would propose we marry.” Mother nodded her head. “We are all in agreement Lord Pendleton will make you a most adequate husband.”
Petra frowned at the word. She didn’t wish to marryadequate.
“I feel as if you and Father are rushing me into marriage because Simon has offered for me,” Petra answered. “Surely—”
Her mother puffed in frustration. “YoulikeLord Pendleton. He’s been courting you for weeks. Good Lord, he was the very best of the crop of bachelors this Season and is quite taken with you. Don’t you want to marry him?”
“Of course I do.” A least she thought she did. When he’d first made his intentions clear, Petra had been certain, swept away in the excitement of having the attractive viscount court her. “But I’ve known him such a short time.”
“You’re concerned, I can see it. You worry if Simon’s family and you don’t get on, he will rescind his offer of marriage. Do not worry, dearest. Our visit is only a formality, I promise.”
Petra’s stomach ached. That was Petra’s concern. Her parents had beenthrilledwhen Simon asked permission to court her. Viscount Pendleton was a prominent member of Parliament, highly respected and quite dashing. He had also chased off Lord Dunning, the man her mother had originally wished Petra to marry. Petra had been incredibly grateful. Dunning was twice her age and prone to gout. Simon’s attention had seemed a godsend at the time.
“I like Simon very much but —” But what? How could she explain to her mother what was wrong when Petra didn’t know herself? She’d pled her case to Father, telling him she only wished more time. Simon’s courtship of her had happened so fast. Father had acquiesced. The betrothal papers had been drawn up and reviewed by the Marsh solicitors, but nothing would be signed until she returned to London and Petra gave her agreement to the marriage.Father had promised. She shot her mother a mutinous glance. “Surely, a bit more time, or even another Season, would have made little difference if Simon and I suit.”
“Petra, you are one and twenty. Nearlyancient. Waiting would have served no purpose other than potentially losing Pendleton’s interest and possibly labeling you a spinster or worse. You might never have another suitor of such standing. The match is incredibly advantageous for all concerned.”
“I have not accepted Simon’s proposal.” Advantageous. More so for her parents than for her. “Father has promised I am allowed the final decision.”
Her mother looked away. “You and Simon are perfection together.”
“As I recall, Mother, you felt much the same about Lady Gwendolyn as a wife for Rowan.”
Her mother pursed her lips and sat back against the squabs. The return of the tiny hill above Mother’s lip told Petra she didn’t care to be reminded of such an utter failure in matchmaking. Her mother detested having her wishes disregarded. “Your brother’s marriage to Arabella was not exactly what Lord Marsh and I envisioned. That much is true.”
My God,that was the understatement of the century.Her mother’s dislike of Rowan’s wife was so well-known it had sparked rumors in thetonthat her brother was contemplating an annulment, or even more scandalous, a divorce by order of Parliament so that Rowan could marry Lord White’s daughter, Gwendolyn.
“Arabella is no longer so unpleasant.” Mother’s eye twitched a bit as she spoke. “I believe marriage to your brother will soften her further with time.”
Petra pressed a hand to her lips to keep from snorting in disbelief. Arabella was many things—controlling, devious and possessive of Petra’s brother—but certainlyno onewould describe Arabella assoft. Petra had not always liked Arabella, but the last few months had given her a grudging respect for her new sister-in-law. Arabella possessed a ruthless nature and was brilliant in business, much like Petra’s brother. Rowan, for his part, eyed his wife as if she were a giant tea cake he wished to devour.
A love match.I am surrounded by them, though Mother doesn’t consider such a thing of import.
Perhaps that is what had given her pause in agreeing to Viscount Pendleton’s suit. She liked Simon very much, but she wasn’t in love with him. And he didn’t look at her like a tea cake either.
“Dearest.” Lady Marsh took Petra’s hand, stretching her plump figure across the coach. “You and Pendleton make averyattractive couple, and he’s completely besotted by you.”
