Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
What would he say to her next time they met?
The other men had jilted her without personal affront, by behaving badly in the dark of night…or dying. This was done in full daylight, on her wedding day, in front of everyone she’d invited to be there. He could not stop thinking of her pale, shocked face. He threw the switch down beside the prayer book and went for his whittling tools but was interrupted by tapping at the parsonage door.
Elizabeth again, blaming herself for this outcome? Wanting another terrible, painful spanking? No. It was his mother’s voice accompanying the series of taps.
“August, dear. Are you in?”
He grabbed the switch and tossed it back under the bed. He shoved the bite-marked book in a drawer, sliding it shut just as his mother cracked open the door.
“August?” She looked around his small room, his monk’s lair. “Darling, have you seen this charming corner where our son’s been sleeping?”
She’d turned and spoken those words to his father. Behind his parents, August glimpsed the Duke and Duchess of Arlington, all of them crowded into the corridor outside his chamber. His valet emerged from the adjoining room, any surprise quickly scrubbed from his neutral expression.
“I hope we haven’t disturbed you,” said his mother.
“Not at all,” said August. “Come in.”
Marston took coats and hats as the guests entered, then reappeared with extra chairs, arranging them deftly with the ease of an experienced servant. “I’ll go to the house for some tea,” he offered.
“You needn’t,” said Elizabeth’s father, seating his wife. “We’ve just finished breakfast.”
His parson’s room felt too small for this sudden influx of company. There were no more chairs to be had, so he was obliged to perch on the edge of his bed while his mother sat beside him.
“Sorry to crowd in here,” said his father. “But your mama and I, and Elizabeth’s parents…well, we wished to have a word.”
August thought, wildly, that someone must have reported seeing Elizabeth visiting his room a few days ago in the dark of night, or seen him returning her to the manor afterward, so close to dawn. But no, that couldn’t be, for their expressions were cordial, not angry.
“We hoped to speak to you on a sensitive matter,” his father continued.
“And a time-sensitive matter,” said his mother.
“What matter is that?”
The duke shifted in his chair, looking uncomfortable, for all his confident, regal bearing. “As you know, my daughter’s wedding did not proceed as planned.”
“Yes, sir. I’m very sorry for her.”
“She’s broken up about it,” said the duchess, her eyes swollen from tears.
Broken up. If Elizabeth’s mother was in such bad shape, how must his sweet friend feel?
“Lisbet wanted so much to be married,” August said after a moment. “I know how deeply she wished for a love match, and children. But I suppose…” He glanced down at his hands. “Fortenbury has proved undeserving of her.”
“His actions reveal a shocking lack of character,” agreed the duke. “His veneer of proper respectability is false.” He paused, staring for a moment into the fire. “I’ve searched high and low for a match for my youngest daughter. She deserves to have the love and happiness she wants, but I’ve been unsuccessful in finding her a worthy husband.”
August saw his father exchange glances with the duke and duchess. A tension seemed to resonate in the room.
“Your mother and I were speaking to the Arlingtons about Elizabeth and her marriage travails,” said his father, looking back at him.
“And it occurred to us, darling…” His mama leaned closer, taking his arm. “It occurred to us that you are unmarried and have known Elizabeth for a long time. Her entire life. I know the two of you are merely friends, but excellent matches have come of such friendships.”
She gave him a speaking look. He stared at her, lost for words.
“Your father and I were much like you and Elizabeth in our day,” she went on. “I was his friend’s younger sister.”
“And a pest and chatterbox, Minette,” his father teased.
“When I was little, perhaps, but I grew up. The love that developed between us came as a…surprise. A wonderful surprise, which has brought many happy years of marriage and family.”
“Rosalind and Marlow made a match, too,” said the duchess. “From a longtime friendship, romantic feelings grew.”
The duke cleared his throat. “What we are saying, August, is that even though you have had a friendly, even brotherly, relationship with Elizabeth to this point, we would not be opposed to a union between the two of you, if such a thing might be contrived in the near future. It might not seem the obvious solution—”
“Well, it’s not a solution,” the duchess broke in. “That sounds very un-romantic.”
“No, of course, Gwen. Not a solution. I’m only telling Lord Augustine that we esteem him as a gentleman and consider him worthy of her hand. He must mean to marry soon, and if he might be disposed to—”