Page 21 of A Spinster to Reform the Duke
“I invited you two here for dinner, and enjoyable conversation. I was not aware that included discussing marriage,” Timothy said hurriedly, lifting his claret glass to his lips.
“Ah, I’m delighted to hear it is just a rumor then,” his uncle laughed as he lifted the carafe of claret, offering to pour Timothy a top up.
“Good Lord, George,” Catherine said tiredly, rolling her eyes at her brother. “You are a bad encouragement to him.”
“In what way am I bad?” George asked, gesturing to himself. “I want to see the boy happy. I am just not convinced marriage will give him that.”
“Yes, we all know your opinions on marriage, as unwelcome as they are.” Catherine pinched the bridge of her nose before returning her focus to her plate. “Do not listen to him, Timothy. You must do what you think best.”
“As I intend to,” Timothy said carefully, though he turned his eyes back to his uncle to see him frowning a little. His uncle was still a handsome man for his age, something that explained why he could still persist with his own rakish ways. Those dark green eyes were eyeing Timothy, making him shift again in his seat.
“Go on, Timothy, it seems there is something I must learn,” George said with wariness, sitting back in his seat.
“I must marry and produce an heir, uncle,” Timothy said slowly. “That is the fact of the matter.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.” George nodded in thought, though he sipped his claret heartily too, clearly biding his time before he said any more. “Who do you intend to marry?”
“The matter is not decided yet,” Timothy said with the words rushing out of him, trying to quell his mother’s excitement. He had seen out of the corner of his eye the way that Catherine had sat forward eagerly in her seat, her mouth open, ready to talk.
“Not decided, but we could discuss what ladies there are,” she said, her eagerness refusing to back down.
“Here I thought you would never marry, Timothy,” George said with a laugh. “I thought you’d be like me forever more.”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” Timothy accepted, turning his gaze back down to his food. He had always thought he wouldn’t marry. Without his father in his life for very long, George had been as good a father to him, yet that had also led to Timothy idolizing a life that came with many ladies’ beds, not just one.
I wonder how different my life could have been, had my father been alive.
He lifted his eyes to his mother again, seeing the sad look that had appeared in her face. Timothy had heard from Catherine often enough how his father was devoted to her. The two of them were madly in love, and she had vowed never to love another. It was why she had never re-married.
I am not like my father though. I am like my uncle.
“So, who will you marry?” George said with encouragement. “Do you opt for a lady with a dowry?”
“Yes, I should do,” Timothy adopted a business-like tone. “It is the thing to be done, after all.”
“A lady of reputation too.”
“Do not get him started, George,” Catherine said, waving a hand in the air. “The last time I asked for a description of the lady he desired, he merely asked for someone who was timid and quiet. That is more of a caricature than a description. Who wants someone that dull for a wife?”
“Ha! You would describe that as dull?” George asked with a laugh. “Maybe, sister, it is just obedience.”
“Asking for obedience is ridiculous, George, and you know it,” Catherine said insistently. “Besides, Timothy, is that really what you want? To marry a mouse who will say yes to your every word?”
Timothy opened his mouth to agree, yet the words didn’t come out. There was something in his mother’s words. The idea sounded really rather dull, as if the lady in question would be lacking any character or personality.
“It would rather be like having a painting on a wall,” Timothy mused, “rather than a lady in real life.”
“You simply want someone to turn the cheek, Timothy, and accept you for your ways. Believe me, you want a lady who will take who you are in her stride,” George’s words brought an atmosphere to the room that made Timothy stiffen.
“You mean you…” Catherine was clearly horrified by the idea that Timothy might continue with his rakish ways, even after marriage. So much so, that she couldn’t even bring herself to say the words.
“Mother, do not look at me like that,” Timothy pleaded, but it was too late. She had paled, and she tried to smile though it faded fast as she pushed away from the table.
“If you would excuse me, I have a sudden headache.”
“That was sudden indeed,” Timothy said, standing too, ready to follow her.
“Yes, it was.” She was clearly lying, using it as a way to extricate herself from the two of them. “If you would excuse me, I would like to retire for the evening.”
