Page 15 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

George deflated. “I thought they would be.”

“I think they might have migrated to the country for the summer, Lord George,” Theodore said, a playful seriousness in his tone. “I couldn’t feel a single one in the lake,” he added.

George’s disappointment was short-lived, and he said, “We should follow them to the country.”

“That is quite the idea,” Theodore replied. “How about we play a little game instead?” George lit up instantly, the prospect of a game wiping away any lingering sadness.

“What happens to the loser?” he asked impishly, his eyes gleaming. Agnes had a feeling she knew what he was thinking, likely plotting some playful revenge or mischievous task for the unfortunate loser.

“The question should be, what does the winner get,” Theodore rephrased, his approach to the game focusing on reward rather than punishment. He picked a few flat pebbles nearby and they all watched, fascinated, as he expertly threw them over the lake, the stones skipping over its silken surface and creating delightful ripples that danced across the water.

George let out another excited squeal, urging Theodore to teach him how he did that, his previous disappointment forgotten in the wake of this new activity. Harry and Philip weren’t far behind, joining in the excited fray, their earlier reservations lost to the fun of the moment.

Agnes laughed along with them. Philip, for all his earlier posturing of maturity, seemed to have forgotten all about it as he laughed and squealed along with his younger brothers. Observing Theodore with her brothers, Agnes couldn’t help her surprise at how good he was with children. She never imagined him capable of it, especially after hearing what society matrons were saying about him. Yet here he was, not just playing with one, but three children by a lake, showing a patience and a kindness that was heartwarming.

This made her reconsider everything she thought she knew about him. Perhaps she could trust Theodore to keep his word and help her secure a match by the season’s end.

When it was finally time to leave, the children did not want to go. “You have to come play with us at home,” Georgie insisted, his voice filled with the sort of earnestness that could melt even the sternest heart.

“Very well. I shall call upon you soon,” Theodore promised, caught in the grip of their innocent charm.

Agnes’s spirits were further buoyed by the thought of Theodore’s visit. The prospect sparked a glow of anticipation within her, and for the first time since their agreement was made, she began to feel genuinely hopeful about the arrangement they’d entered into.

“I have some friends I shall introduce you to when you come,” George declared happily.

“Friends?” Theodore raised a questioning brow, turning toward Agnes for clarification.

“Oh, never mind George. He is simply very social,” Agnes dismissed with a playful wave of her hand, trying to downplay whatever menagerie or assembly of childhood ‘friends’ George might be referring to. She harbored a doubt that Theodore would appreciate the ‘friends’ in the same manner George did.

“I can tell,” he chuckled, his laughter mixing with the children’s.

The pleasantness of their outing was still fresh in her mind the following morning. After breakfast, Agnes was sifting through some books in the library, lost in thought, when her father found her. “Do you need help with those?” he asked, his voice cheerful yet carrying a hint of something more serious.

“I was trying to decide on my next read,” she said as she considered her father’s sudden appearance and the possible reason behind it.

He joined her, pulling out a chair and sitting down with the seriousness of a man who had something important on his mind. “Your mother told me about the recent happenings,” he began, and immediately, Agnes felt a knot of discomfort form in her stomach. This was the conversation she had been dreading, the one she knew would come sooner or later.

“Agnes, my dear,” her father began, his hands lightly enveloping hers in a comforting grasp, “I cannot deny the joy your courtship brings me even though Gillingham would not be my first choice. And I must advise caution. Do not rush into this union, my dear.”

His grip on her hands tightened just a fraction, a silent reassurance that he was there for her.

“And remember,” he added earnestly, “do not allow societal pressures to sway you. Make sure it’s what you truly desire.”

A pang of guilt twisted inside Agnes at his words. She swallowed hard, wondering if his advice had come too late. No, she wasn’t rushing into anything. Nothing real, at least, she tried to convince herself as her father’s advice lingered in her thoughts. “Thank you, Papa.” Agnes squeezed his hand in return. In the privacy of their family moments, the formal titles were shed, allowing her the comfort of simply being a daughter.

After her conversation with her father, Agnes made her way to her bedroom with a selection of books in hand, only to encounter her mother in the hallway.

“Oh, there you are, Agnes. Lady Kirkland sent a note that she’d be calling this afternoon,” she announced, and Agnes had to summon all her willpower not to visibly express her dismay. It was no secret that Lady Kirkland’s visits often had more to do with gathering gossip than anything.

“We shall receive her together when she comes,” her mother declared with the finality that left no room for argument, prompting Agnes to mentally brace herself for the ordeal. “Also, I’ve had tea prepared. Do see to it that everything is set before she arrives.”

“Very well,” Agnes responded, striving for a tone of pleasant acquiescence, even as her mind rebelled at the thought of enduring Lady Kirkland’s inquisitive probing.

Amidst these thoughts, Agnes found herself wondering about Theodore’s promised visit. Their encounter in the park had been just yesterday, yet the distance of a single day made his absencefeel all the more pronounced. She couldn’t help but anticipate, with a mixture of curiosity and eagerness, when he would fulfill his promise to call upon them.

With a sigh, she proceeded to her bedchamber to set aside her books before dutifully making her way to the drawing room, as per her mother’s instructions.

CHAPTER 8

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