Page 9 of A Tenuous Betrothal
So she wasn’t planning to abide in his parents’ palace. Was she planning to travel with him to Oldenburg at all? If she didn’t and Marc returned home without her, he’d need an outstanding reason to tell his father, one that assured Father of Miss Davies’s safety and happiness. He hoped she wasn’t one to make decisions without consulting others. London was looking more and more like the best place for them to rest so they might determine what course to take.
She slipped the ring and ribbon around her neck and tucked it under her dress. Then they carefully closed the chest, Miss Davies hugging it close as they exited the attic.
At last, after the trunks were loaded and the horse was tied to the back of a carriage, they stopped at Miss Davies’s cottage.
The place was run-down and hardly secure. His disdain toward her uncle turned to anger. “You’ve been living here?”
Her eyes held challenge and defeat at the same time. “Yes.”
They entered the small space, where an inner door was open, allowing a view of an orderly bed and table. The other side of the cabin held a kitchen fireplace and a small table with two chairs. But the whole of it was at least warm-looking, friendly, and neat—a credit to Miss Davies.
She walked the perimeter of the small place, running her fingertips here and there on seemingly random surfaces. Then she gathered what looked like some food items. The servants entered her room, packing its belongings in a trunk that must have already been inside.
While she instructed them in hushed conversation for a moment, Marc considered her character. Kindness, strength, resilience, pluck, an active mind. Not bad qualities. Beautiful as well. But compatible with him?
He couldn’t continue such thoughts. He was not prepared to take a woman into his life. He was absolutely not ready to give up his role as head of security, which he must do once he married.
The last trunk was loaded, and Catrin and a group of servants arrived down the lane.
Miss Davies turned to Marc. “While we have a moment, shall we discuss the matter of our planned nuptials?”
He coughed, then adjusted his cravat. “Of course. Would you care to sit?” He indicated to the coachman that they would be a moment and turned back as if to reenter the house.
“This will suit.” She stood in the doorway, in sight of the others.
“Very well.” He approached so that he, too, was in sight of all.
She crossed her arms. “I am not prepared to accept your hand.”
“And I’m not prepared to offer it.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I thought...”
“My father wishes it, yes. But I have no desire to force a union with someone I hardly know who also doesn’t wish to wed.” He lifted the corner of his mouth to soften the blow, studying her.
“Then, what are we doing?”
“We are obeying the requests in your father’s will.”
“And the one about our marriage being arranged?”
“That has yet to be determined.” He tried to find the best words. “I assume that one day you wish to wed.” He searched her face.
“Of course. I am not opposed to marriage, in general.”
“Excellent. Then, I think if you were to find a man of your choosing to marry, a good man, the requirements in your father’s will would be answered. His purpose in creating the addendum was to see you protected and provided for, correct?”
She crossed her arms. “And so your part in this arrangement would be nullified, but I would still be obligated to keep mine?”
Marc’s mind went blank in surprise at her adept question and then filled with respect. “In a manner of speaking, yes, but no doubt to everyone’s preference. You would be marrying someone of your choice, and I will marry later, to someone of my choice.”
“Are you in love with another?”
“No.” He shook his head, perhaps more adamantly than was necessary. “I am simply nowhere near a situation in my life to make such decisions.”
She turned away as if searching for someone. “Very well. Where do you suggest we go about finding me a husband? There is no one my age or station for miles here in Cresselly. Perhaps the foreman’s son...” Her obvious distaste for that option almost made him laugh, but he resisted the sudden urge. He was about to suggest the Londontonwhen she stood taller and shook her head.
“No,” she said.
