She was nervous, now that she was hours away from Lord Billington coming to escort her to the Elgin Marbles. It was their first appearance in public as a courting couple, and she knew that the ton members would be scrutinizing their every move. It wasn’t as though arranged marriages never happened in London. In fact, the rarity was the marriages that were for love, like Isabel’s and Patrick’s. But the ton loved any bits of gossip they could dig up. And she had no doubt that her new courtship with Lord Billington would stir a great deal of gossip.
As Lily helped Martha into a simple yellow day dress for breakfast, Martha imagined the two of them out as a couple. She secretly admitted that the viscount was handsome. His scar didn’t blemish how attractive he was in her eyes. And his pale blue eyes were the most gorgeous shade she had ever seen. Part of her wondered if she wasn’t too plain for him.
When she went downstairs, her parents were taking breakfast in the drawing room. She blushed, thinking again of her encounter the day before with the viscount. Her mother beamed at her as she took a seat beside her. Her father was reading the paper, but he peeked over the top of it and gave her a small smile.
“Good morning, dear,” he said, quickly returning to his paper as Martha returned the greeting. Martha frowned, but she said nothing as her mother rose to embrace her and kiss her cheek.
“Good morning, my darling,” she said. “Is that what you will wear to your outing today?”
Martha shook her head.
“No,” she said. “I shall change in a few hours. I want to see if my finished paintings are dry, and I didn’t want to risk getting wet paint on the dress I plan to wear.”
Her mother nodded approvingly, her smile widening.
“Oh, it’s so lovely that Lord Billington has invited you to go view the Elgin Marbles,” she said.
Martha nodded, still mulling over her interaction with the viscount the day before.
“It took me by surprise,” she admitted.
Her mother gave her a reassuring smile.
“Give it time, darling,” she said. “You two only just met. I’m sure you’ll be the best of friends before long.”
Martha nodded again, but she was filled with doubt. Knowing that the viscount was capable of being distant and cold, she wasn’t sure what to expect when they departed for their destination. If he was anything like he was the night they met, she was in for a long afternoon, and she dreaded that possibility.
“I hope you’re right, Mother,” she said.
Breakfast concluded with more talk about the preparations for Isabel’s wedding. Martha was still happy for her cousin. However, given her current situation, she had to will herself not to shudder at all the talk of weddings and marriage. She could never tell her cousin, or even her mother, how uncomfortable the conversations made her. But nor could she muster even a little excitement for her cousin. She hated to admit it, even to herself, but she couldn’t wait until the wedding was over, and Isabel was married. Then, the planning and discussions would cease, and she could lament her own position in peace.
Martha had almost forgotten that her father was even in the room, he had stayed so silent throughout the whole meal. But as she was preparing to excuse herself to paint for a couple of hours before she had to get ready to wait for Lord Billington to fetch her for their trip to the museum, her father also rose from his seat, startling her.
“Martha, my dear,” he said, quickly folding his paper and setting it aside. “I would speak with you privately, if you don’t mind.”
Martha tensed, remembering the last time he had summoned her. She tried to smile at her father, despite the dread that was rapidly filling her stomach yet again.
“Of course,” she said.
The viscount glanced at his wife, who was already leaving her seat. She walked over to Martha and kissed her cheek.
“Have a wonderful time this afternoon, darling,” she said.
She kissed her husband softly on the cheek as well before excusing herself and leaving the room. Another moment later, it was just Martha and her father in the drawing room. Her father led her over to the sofa and gestured for her to sit. He sat beside her, turning to face her and looking at her with nervous eyes.
“Darling,” he said. “I am well aware that you’re not keen on going through with an arranged marriage. But I would like to tell you why it is that I did this.”
Martha swallowed. She knew she would likely never get another opportunity like the one before her to tell her father exactly how she felt about the whole thing and beg him to call it off after giving him her reasons why. But she also knew by the look on her father’s face that he wouldn’t be so easily swayed. He didn’t look angry. But he did appear to truly believe in what he was saying.
“All right,” she said at last, cursing herself. It wouldn’t have hurt to mention her concerns, at the very least. But she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
The viscount smiled softly at her.
“Thank you,” he said. “I just wanted you to know that I had good reason for having gone ahead and arranged this marriage.”
Martha nodded, trying to keep her face from changing. There was nothing but love and concern for her in her father’s eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was seem impatient or ungrateful. But her mind was screaming that it was the last thing she would ever want, and how she resented not being involved when it came to making the decision.
However, she knew that she was a lady in the ton. Her father was presently the man who would speak for her. And now, Lord Billington would soon take over that duty, as her husband. She managed not to shudder as she spoke again.
