Page 5 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

“We are barely acquainted with each other,” Agnes continued in a quieter voice. “We met this afternoon at the park.”

“Why has the Marquess called upon you so early in your acquaintance?” asked Caroline, her eyes bright with matchmaking schemes. Agnes felt the familiar gap between her mother’s hopeful fantasies and her own experiences.

“I don’t think he’s interested in me at all,” said Agnes, dismissing the notion of the notorious Marquess of Gillingham taking apersonal liking to her. He was only after a business venture, and he thought her gullible enough to fall into his trap. “And we know his reputation.”

“Nonsense!” Caroline waved it off. “Even a man with a reputation can change for the better, given the right woman.”

Agnes admired her mother’s unwavering faith in love and transformation. But she knew better than to let this particular idea gain any ground. “Gillingham’s ‘right woman’ is certainly not me.”

Caroline refused to be swayed. “He met you in the park this afternoon and followed you home. He must be interested in you, Agnes.”

She swallowed. “We shall see.”

Caroline frowned. “You do not look pleased.”

“I am confused,” she confessed.

“Why, my dear?” she smoothed a curl from Agnes’ brow.

“I should be able to trust whoever approaches me for courtship, should I not, Mother?”

Caroline wrapped her arms around Agnes. “Oh, you think excessively, Agnes! Do not hurt you poor head.” She pulled awayand smiled. “Do get some sleep and you will feel good as new in the morning.”

As Agnes retired for the night, she was troubled by their conversation and by Gillingham’s puzzling actions. Her father’s voice from his study that stopped her in her tracks as she was on her way to the library to retrieve a book.

“Gillingham?” William Young sounded surprised and perhaps disapproving. Agnes hesitated outside the slightly open door, curiosity pulling at her.

“Yes. He met her at the park this afternoon and followed her home shortly after,” Caroline’s voice still danced with excitement, undimmed by the Duke’s skepticism.

A heavy silence fell over the room. “What business does Gillingham want with our Agnes?” William’s voice finally broke the silence, his tone protective.

“Oh not you, too, William!” Caroline exclaimed. “Agnes was just as dubious earlier when I broached the notion of the Marquess’s interest.”

“Any prudent girl would exercise caution around a man such as him,” William pointed out.

“Are you implying I lack wisdom for fostering hope, then?”

“Oh no, Caroline dear, you could never be unwise,” William quickly reassured. “It’s merely your enthusiasm that sometimes outpaces caution,” he added, his tone soft.

A playful huff escaped Caroline. Agnes allowed herself a small smile.

“My excitement is tethered with concern, William,” Caroline said. “The whispers going around London about Agnes are growing louder, more insistent.”

“I know,” came William’s heavy acknowledgment. “I fear I’ve let her down.”

“You’ve done nothing of the sort,” Caroline was quick to console, her voice firm. “And as for the rumors, Agnes remains blissfully unaware. It’s imperative we maintain that shield around her, let her enjoy her Season untouched by such baseless chatter.”

Too late.Agnes felt a pang of sorrow. She was aware of everything that was being said about her, and how it was affecting her debut. Still, she yearned to protect her parents from her pain, just as they sought to shield her from the world’s cruelty.

“She’s bearing the consequences of my past choices… choices she had no part in making,” William lamented.

Her father had been in love with an actress, but duty called him to marry properly. As such, he’d brought his affair with her birthmother to an end just when she discovered herself with child. She passed away birthing Agnes. Caroline, whom his parents had arranged for him, understood his love, and she took Agnes as her own.

“Love is not a sin, William. How many times do I have to tell you that,” Agnes heard Caroline say. Her voice was as patient and understanding as ever.

“Then why is Agnes made to pay for it?” William lamented. “What if I have ruined her chances of ever making a match?”

“Do not think like that. We have Gillingham in the scene now,” she reminded him.

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