Page 79 of A Tenuous Betrothal
She reached for Marc’s hand and took Rhi’s as well. “You two. What you are doing is noble and good. Your father and I had an arranged marriage, and we fell in love in a matter of weeks. It won’t take long for you either. From what I can see, you are nearly there already.” Her smile was large and natural and so pleased that Marc regretted what he was about to say.
He glanced at Rhi, who had a good helping of amusement masking some of her pain. “Mother.” He leaned closer to kiss his mother’s cheek. “Miss Davies and I aren’t married.”
“Aren’t married?” His father approached, a frown starting, though his eyes twinkled with happiness. “Well, I’m so pleased you are home. At least some of my requests have been honored. But I had expected you to be married.”
His mother waved away Father’s disgruntled tone. “Well, I’m thrilled you aren’t married. We shall have the celebration of the century.” She clapped her hands.
“No, Mother, Father. Perhaps we should have a conversation before we start planning a wedding.” Marc embraced his father.
“Very well, come to my study straightaway.”
Mother waved her hand. “Oh, tosh. First, we must have refreshment, and Rhi must be shown her rooms. Perhaps she wishes to rest.” Mother was always the soft reasoning voice in their family, unless something came up that hit exactly wrong with her—then they could expect strong words.
Rhi looked from one to the other, her smile natural, her face glowing. “This is all so exciting. I don’t know if I could rest, not yet, but refreshment would be lovely.”
“There, see? And once we feel more like ourselves, we can meet, the four of us, to discuss our plans.” Mother’s face, so full of joy, was another reason Marc might wish not to have to explain their situation to his parents. But what could he do? He was not willing to bring pain to another person, not one he knew he’d fallen in love with.
He wished to follow Rhi around, watching her reaction to every little thing, but he also wished to escape. Since attending her on a tour of her rooms was wholly ridiculous and inappropriate, he bowed out rather quickly and got the servants moving to prepare for the journey he would undertake the following morning.
Hours passed quickly, and too soon he was back in Rhi’s presence and waiting outside his father’s study. His natural instinct was to take her hand, but he resisted. “Are you ready?”
“I’m following your lead.” She breathed out slowly. “Is he going to be very unhappy?”
“I’m not certain. Let’s see, shall we?” He knocked on the door.
“Enter,” his father called.
His mother and father stood from their chairs behind his large desk. Behind them were huge windows with a view of the bay. Marc’s home and the crashing waves below filled half the window.
“It’s such a striking view.” Rhi could hardly take her eyes away.
“Marc’s home is incredible,” Mother said. “He helped them design every part of that edifice. You will love it there, I think. There is one room where you feel like you are sitting above the water, with the waves crashing right below you.”
Marc wished he could stop his mother’s talking right then, but a part of him loved for Rhi to hear about his home.
“Please sit. Let’s talk.” His father indicated the chairs across from his desk.
“Oh no, let’s sit over there.” Mother indicated the seating arrangement that was less formal, with four stuffed chairs and a small table in the middle.
“Excellent idea.” Father and Mother took seats in that arrangement, and Marc indicated that Rhi follow.
When they were all seated, Father began. “So, tell us, why aren’t you married?”
Marc glanced at Rhi and then sat forward. “We don’t wish to marry.”
His parents didn’t seem at all surprised by his words.
“We are not opposed to marriage in general, but we wish to have a choice in the matter,” he continued. “I am not in a position to marry right now, as you might understand, given your knowledge of my circumstances, and Miss Davies has always hoped to choose her partner.” Marc stopped. There was more to say, but he wanted to hear their responses.
Both parents looked calmer than he’d expected. His mother seemed to think his reaction was normal. His father, though impatient, also seemed like he’d expected as much from them.
“We can understand how this might have come as a shock.” His mother reached across the table to squeeze Rhi’s hand.
The sight of their two hands linked shook Marc in an outstanding manner, like a trumpet sounding through the generations of their family tree. But he resisted the pull to join with Rhi in forming another link in the Wilhelm family chain.
His father looked from Marc to Rhi and back, as though attempting to make some kind of personal assessment.
Marc refused to look at Rhi’s face. If he did, they would see how much he cared. He couldn’t hide his connection to her.
