Page 13 of Married to the Rake

Chapter Five

“Is this what you are looking for?”

Chloe leapt away from the pillar on which she had been resting and gave her mother a sheepish smile. Mama handed over the letter and Chloe shook her head, recognizing the seal upon it. “It is addressed to Papa.”

“Her mother pressed her lips together, the corners of her mouth curving slightly. “So why exactly have you been watching for the post every day recently?”

Chloe clasped her hands together. She could hardly admit to her and Brook’s plan. While her mother was not wholly involved in the dispute between the families, she had always supported her husband in the matter. She would not take kindly to Chloe meddling.

A knowing glint entered her mother’s eyes. “I think I know what is happening.”

Chloe shook her head vigorously. “I do not think you do.”

Her mother waived the letter. “I heard that Mr. Benedict was holding a ball to celebrate his return from his honeymoon. This must be the invitation.”

“Oh really? I had not heard such a rumor.”

“You are a terrible fibber, Chloe.” Her mother pulled a penknife out of the drawer of the side table and pressed open the seal.

“That is addressed to Papa,” Chloe pointed out.

“Oh, he will not mind. He could not give a fig about a ball.”

“But he will want to go, will he not?” Chloe cursed herself for her eagerness. Her mother was bound to think something was wrong.

“Do not fear, my darling. I shall ensure he goes.” Her mother peeled open the letter and scanned the contents. “I suspect there should be many eligible men in attendance. Mr. Benedict has several friends of good standing.” That glint had entered her mother’s eyes again.

“Oh no, Mama…”

“Do not worry. I shall not say anything to your father. But, I must admit, I am glad you are finally showing interest in finding a husband. I have been waiting for this day for a long time.”

Chloe grimaced. She supposed she understood why her mother would jump to such a conclusion. Why else would she finally be eager to go to a ball? She had certainly never been so before.

“I shall have to ensure that none of the Waverleys will be attending,” her mother commented. “Though, they certainly would not be if we are. There is no chance Mr. Benedict would invite both families. He is no fool.”

Chloe closed her eyes briefly. Now she regretted getting Mr. Benedict involved in the matter. Both families would be angry at him indeed at being invited. Still, if their fathers made friends, it would not matter at all. Goodness, they might even thank Mr. Benedict.

“I do hope Papa would not make a scene if one of them were there,” Chloe said softly.

Her mother gave her a look that told her that her father would most definitely make a scene if the men clashed. She only hoped they came to a resolution quickly and did not ruin Mr. Benedict’s ball.

“I shall tell him you’re on the lookout for a husband. He will be well-behaved, I promise. But I’m sure there will be no Waverleys there anyway.”

“I wish this feud never existed. It seems so silly arguing over such a small bit of land,” Chloe said.

“But it is not just over a bit of land.” Her mother took the letter into the drawing room and seated herself at the writing desk, pulling out a fresh sheet of paper with a flourish.

Chloe scurried after and sat on the chaise longue near her mother. “What do you meanit is not just over a bit of land? You mean what happened before? With our ancestors?”

Her mother pulled out a quill and dipped it into the ink pot. “No, though goodness knows there has always been bad blood between the families. Even in medieval times they were fighting. Though, I could not tell you about what.”

Chloe watched her mother pen the first few lines of the response confirming that they would indeed be attending the ball. “So what else happened?”

Her mother paused and placed the quill back in the pot, turning to face Chloe. “It might seem to you that it is just a silly argument between two old men but your father has good reasons for disliking Waverley.”

“What reasons?” She could not believe that she had been part of this fight for so long and there were other reasons. Reasons that she had been unaware of.

“Well,” her mother pressed fingertips to her forehead, “you know that your father was married before me.”

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