Page 46 of A Tenuous Betrothal
The changed subject spared Marc an admission regarding Miss Davies. “A bit, yes. It would behoove us not to spend too much more time here in London.”
“And yet you remain.”
“She deserves the opportunity to choose.”
Kristoff nodded. “And, from the looks of your waltz, she is well on her way.”
Marc’s heart hammered with hope as he turned to his brother.
But Kristoff now had his attention out the window.
“And Henri?” Marc asked.
“He said nothing about his intentions, but he prepared with extra care this morning.”
“Did he? Prepare with care?”
“Changed his hessians twice and fiddled with his cravat so much, the valet had to create a new knot.”
Marc turned his attention back out to the lawn. Miss Davies tipped her head back and laughed. “He would be an excellent choice.”
Kristoff nodded. “He is a Wilhelm. Father did promise one of his sons.”
Marc’s heart twisted anew with the guilt that had briefly left him alone at the ball. He must not act out of guilt.
“Oh, come, man. If you want the woman, win her over. You could in an instant. She is halfway there.”
“That I will not believe. If I were to approach with a proposal now, it would be seen as part of the arrangement set forth by our fathers. I might convince her to marry me, but I will not have won her heart. I am at a great disadvantage in my position.”
“And is that what you desire? To win her heart?”
He stared off into the gray skies out their window. “I am uncertain.”
“Then, perhaps you ought to make up your mind.”
His brother’s words echoed the very ones from Miss Davies’s lips. “I’m well on my way. But, Brother, surely you understand I am not free to make alliances, to care for another. I would be wise to step away and return to Oldenburg, to leave her in your care until she finds someone else. She would be at risk attached to me. She would have to worry. I lead a dangerous life, and she deserves a man who will always return to her.”
“Don’t we all deserve that in a brother? A son? You know we would all be more at ease if you were to utilize your teams and send others on the more dangerous missions without you. Why must you be the one to run these missions?”
“Because I am the only one I dare risk.” Marc shook his head again, more emphatically this time.. “But how could I leave her if she were mine? How could I do my duty? And how could I look her in the face and promise to return?” He shook his head. “It is those feelings I grapple with more than indecision about where my heart might lead. Look at her, man—talk to her but a moment and you can well see my heart will be hers.” Marc had a singular hope regarding his desire to woo Miss Davies. “Hopefully, there will soon be less need for the more dangerous risks.”
“What will you do, then?”
“I find I cannot resist her. We are going out in the phaeton. She has some advice to ask me, something regarding her home.”
“Already she trusts you, turns to you.” Kristoff pointed out the window.
“I am all she has, though she is coming to know Bartholomew and Sophie and now you and Henri.”
“Yes, and we will all look after her.” Kristoff clasped him on the shoulder.
Henri and Miss Davies raised their hands up and waved toward the window.
“Dash it all, can they see me pining over their little walk?” Marc forced a smile and waved back. “I’ve never felt like more of a simpleton.”
“Not at all. You look like a caring sponsor or a doting uncle figure.”
Marc groaned and shoved at Kristoff, but he moved out of reach. “Perhaps you can use your phaeton ride to show her some more of what you let her see pieces of in your waltz.”
