Page 14 of The Gentleman Was Right
He tried to ignore the obvious sarcasm. “He hardly knew Emmeline when they married. She was eligible and looking for a husband, and since he needed a wife, they decided to marry each other. It took a bit of maneuvering, but they eventually found their way. They are—dare I say—happy now.”
She sank into the chair she had been sitting in prior to her outburst. “I would be happy if I could return to my home, ask my betrothed and his mother to leave, and have them listen.”
“He cannot force you?—”
“Are you certain I cannot be coerced into marriage?”
His mouth snapped shut. He had no familiarity with either Basil or the law, so he had to assume coercion was possible. “I am not,” he said slowly. “However, Iamcertain you cannot be coerced into an unwanted marriage if you’re already married. Your erstwhile fiancé would have to kill me first, and I can assure you that killing an earl’s brother is not easily done nor advisable.”
She did not laugh at his attempt to joke. Instead, her shoulders slumped an infinitesimal amount, as if she had been hopeful he would say he was quite certain and that her worries were unwarranted. “I appreciate the offer…”
He bit back a smile. Her unwillingness to accept help should not have been charming, especially when she was rejecting him. “You do not. However, I understand your hesitance.”
“I’ll marry you,” Isabelle suddenly declared.
He whipped his head toward her so abruptly his neck cracked. “You?—”
“Will not marry him,” Violet interrupted with utter decisiveness. “You are not yet seventeen. That is far too young to marry.”
“I shall be seventeen next month. Seventeen is not very far from twenty.” Isabelle scooted to the edge of the settee, her voice gentle and calm. “Edward has been nothing but patient and kind since he discovered us living here. I’m willing to marry him to protect us. You would never have to marry. Not ever.”
As she spoke, Violet shook her head, her eyes burning with resolve. “Absolutely not. Even if it would solve our problem, and I don’t think it will, I forbid it.”
“Violet,” Isabelle said with a sigh. “We cannot continue?—”
“Isabelle.” Violet cut her off.
The two sisters stared at each other like they were having an unspoken conversation. After a long moment, Isabelle nodded slowly and scooted back on the settee. “Fine.”
“So?” he asked, when neither of them offered an explanation.
“No one is getting married. We shall leave the morning after the assembly,” Violet stated plainly, as if that were the only option that made sense.
“No,” he almost shouted.
Both sisters froze.
“I mean…surely we can come up with a solution that does not require anyone to marry or you to leave. I will think on it.” While they were arguing, he had realized that his offer to marry Violet had not been quite as benevolent as he’d thought, because he had no interest in marrying Isabelle. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that. Or of the fact that marriage between him and Violet still seemed like the perfect solution to him.
Based on the way she raised her brow again, she didn’t believe he’d think of another solution. It was quite a feat for her to keep her mouth closed and still say so much.
He tried to explain. “It is true that I believe that marriage to me is the easiest and most prudent solution. However, if you find marriage abhorrent, I’m confident we can come up with another way for you to return to your life without pledging your troth.” He paused and then added, “My brother is a lord of the realm and as such is reasonably powerful.”
He regretted the last sentence as soon as he said it. Not because it wasn’t true, but because he didn’t want Sebastian swooping in and saving the day. He would ask his brother for help if necessary, but surely if he tried, he could come up with a solution she deemed adequate.
“I’m sure Lord Greydon would bedelightedto provide his support. Especially once he discovers we’ve been residing in this cottage for months while pretending to be a relation.”
“My brother is quite reasonable. He will understand once I explain the situation. Though if you don’t wish for his assistance, we won’t request it.”
She rubbed her fingers against her gown. “You’re being entirely too agreeable. You’re unfazed by our presence and by my refusal to marry you, but you’re still offering your help. Why?”
He almost choked at the confusion on her face. Had she really received so little support that she couldn’t conceive he did not have ulterior motives? “I suppose I’m at a bit of a crossroads. I could use a…purpose.” It sounded ridiculous even to his own ears.
He was a second son. His purpose was predetermined, at least until Emmeline had a son and Sebastian had an heir. Even then, when he was no longer directly in line to inherit, his brother had made it clear that he could simply live off of the earldom. He could exist without offering anything in return. Unfortunately, he didn’t want that life.
“A purpose?” Her brow wrinkled. “Like a cause?”
“Not exactly. Like a family of my own.”
