Page 50 of Married to the Rake

Chapter Eighteen

“Where are you off to?”

Brook paused by the open door of the dining room. Hunched over a newspaper with a monocle pressed to one eye, his father sat in the room alone. Though he was regaining his strength, it seemed to take him a long time to finish meals at present. Like a knife to the chest, the guilt struck. He shoved it aside. He would be back in a few weeks and would send a letter while he was on the road to Scotland so his parents knew not to worry. How his father would react to the news that he and Chloe were married, he did not know but he was willing to wager it would not be favorably.

But what were his options? Watch the woman he loved married off to a man twice her age? He’d vowed he would protect Chloe and if that meant eloping, that’s what he would do. He only hoped his father survived the shock.

And, once they had grown used to the idea, perhaps both fathers could make amends. Maybe Brook was being too optimistic but he hoped in time, their marriage would bring the families together.

“Well?” his father demanded.

“Just into town, Father.” Brook moved away from the door but his father called to him.

Entering the dining room fully, Brook remained standing. If he waited too long, Chloe would be there without him and might think he wasn’t going to turn up.

“I met that Judith woman the other day.” His father placed the monocle on the table. “Nice girl. Quite attractive.”

“Indeed,” he murmured vaguely.

“Your mother is terribly keen on her.”

“Really? I had not noticed.”

His father folded both hands across his stomach. “Far be it for me to interfere in your life but your mother has been pressing me to ask for your thoughts on her. Apparently she would make a fine wife.”

Brook grimaced. Not only would he be disappointing his father but it seemed his mother too. “She’s not for me, Father.”

“Oh?” He leaned back in his chair and eyed him. “She comes from good family, does she not?”

“Yes.”

“What’s not the like then? Easy on the eye and quite charming.” He wagged a finger at him. “It is about time you married. Then you’d spend less time dancing with women like that Larkin girl.”

“I have no intention of marrying Mrs. Somerset,” Brook said firmly.

“I won’t be around forever. Once you inherit, you’ll need a good woman by your side.”

Brook lifted a brow. “Were you not telling me you weren’t going anywhere anytime soon the other day?”

“Well, yes,” his father blustered, “but you could still do with a wife.” He sighed. “I only speak of this because I want the best for you. And, well, your mother seems to think Judith is the best for you.”

“She really is not, Father. I promise you that much. If I were to marry, there are many, many women far better than her.”

He nodded slowly. “I trust your judgement though whether your mother will accept it, I do not know. But I did my job and asked. Hopefully she will cease nagging me now.”

“Hopefully,” Brook murmured, knowing that any nagging would be pointless once he returned. If his mother wanted him to find a wife, she’d be in for quite a surprise soon enough.

“She cannot say I did not try.” His father retrieved the monocle and picked up his paper once more.

Brook resisted the urge to say anything more. He wanted to remind his father he loved him and wanted to make him proud but he’d likely suspect something was wrong. He only hoped his father forgave him eventually and that his marriage to Chloe really could mend bridges between the families.

The carriage awaited him outside the house. He’d packed a bag surreptitiously into the compartment, rather than have it tied to the outside to save suspicion. As yet the driver did not know he was to travel all the way to Scotland as he daren’t risk word getting out but he’d reward the man handsomely for his troubles.

A lone carriage waited by the fountain once he arrived. He didn’t recognize it so it could not be Chloe but he imagined she would walk anyway. He grimaced. If only he could drive boldly up to her house and collect her rather than making her come on foot.

“Wait here,” he ordered the driver once he climbed out. He glanced around the fountain area but there was no sign of her yet. A lad selling newspapers shouted out the news while a young woman sold hot crumpets at the other end of the fountain area. The gentle splashing sound of the water should have been soothing but instead he found it irritating, every plop of water setting his teeth on edge.

A few people passed through but what felt like an eternity passed with no sign of Chloe. Lord, perhaps she had changed her mind. Surely she would not choose that Lawrence chap over him. After all her words of love too?

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