Page 3 of The Uncompromising Marquess
The desire to say that no, she was quite wrong, bit down hard upon his mind, but his conscience burned hot.
“You do not need to look so displeased. I think it is a very good thing indeed.”
“You think I need a wife?”
She nodded. “I do. Given that you are a gentleman who takes his responsibilities with great seriousness – something that I think is an excellent part of your character – I must assume that you are now considering the future. Since I am now wed and settled, you will be thinking of your duties as a Marquess, yes? Namely, to take on a bride and produce an heir. Thus, you will return to London for the Christmas Season with the expectation of being wed within a month or two.”
Joseph did not know what frustrated him the most, whether it was the fact that his sister believed that she could speak so candidly, or that she knew him so well as to be correct. Hehaddecided to think of his own future, once his responsibility to Emily was at a end. Hehaddetermined to go to London and hehadthought to be married within a few months. Running one hand over his chin, he thought of how to respond to this, only for Emily to laugh.
“I can tell that you are displeased at my knowledge of you and your motivations,” she said, as Joseph ran one hand over his eyes. “Come now, brother, you cannot be so very upset, can you? After all, we have lived in this house together since we were babies, and you have been my guardian for some six or seven years now! It is quite right that a sister should know her brother so well.”
“Perhaps.” Joseph sniffed and shifted in his chair.
“Then am I correct in all I have thought?”
Joseph’s jaw flexed, but he nodded. “Yes, you are.”
“Then might I offer you some advice?”
He shifted in his chair, trying to keep a hold of his temper, which was slowly becoming thinner and thinner. “Emily, as I have already said, I do not need your encouragement. Nor do I need your advice. I am very well able to return to society and find myself a bride, all without your guidance.”
She snorted in a most unladylike fashion. “I highly doubt that.”
“Is that so?” Leaning forward, he sent her an angry look. “Emily, you have no right to speak to me in such a way. You might mean well, but –”
“You are too particular, brother!” Ignoring him, Emily matched his loud voice easily, her cheeks now red. “You have demonstrated that to me at this very moment, stating that Lady Miriam had a nose that was a little too long when everyone else in society considered her a diamond!”
Joseph opened his mouth to defend himself, but his sister was not yet finished.
“You told me that Lady Gwendoline had too long a name for you to be contented with – something that was quite ridiculous, I must say – and that Miss Stephenson was too tall, even though she did not reach the same height as you!” Beginning to tick a list of ladies off on her fingers, Emily continued. “You told me that Lady Prudence laughed too loudly, that Miss Jennings had a freckle or two on her face which couldnotbe borne, and that Miss Cartwright’sbrotherwas too disagreeable for you!”
“That was perfectly fair,” Joseph stated, ignoring the flush of heat that was threatening to climb up his chest and into his neck. “If I am to marry a lady, then her family must be suitable also. That gentleman was rude and much too arrogant.”
“And you are not?”
That question stopped Joseph short. Blinking quickly, he frowned at his sister, but again, that steady gaze held him without relenting. He had never considered himself arrogant and, truth be told, was surprised to hear such a word directed at him.
“You think that you are not proud?” Emily smiled, but it was with gentleness, not with teasing or laughter. “There is no part of you that thinks yourself a little better than other gentlemen?”
Joseph held her gaze. “No, absolutely not.”
“Then why do you always criticize?” she asked, her voice very soft indeed. “Why must there always be something about someone that is wrong? Some fault that they have that you must center your thoughts on? Something that is out of place at a ball or the like? A whisper of censure about the ratafia or the orchestra or the chalked floor?”
The sting in her words bit at him, but Joseph set aside the pain, refusing to let it take hold of him. “You are mistaken, Emily. That is not arrogance or pride. It is simply the expectation that thetonshould hold to correct standards.”
At this, Emily closed her eyes and let out a long and pained sigh. “You will not listen to reason, will you?”
“There is no reason in your words!”
“Yes, there is!” She threw up her hands, fire burning in her eyes. “There is nothing wrong withanyof the ladies that I mentioned, nothing at all! You speak ill of their appearance, of their character, of their family, and say nothing of their beauty, their qualities or their family’s high standing. Do you truly believe that you are somehow the epitome of all that is good and right? That the standards society expects you can hold to without difficulty? That you never once fail?”
“I have never said anything of the sort.” Joseph looked away from her, his temper now so frayed, it was very close to ripping apart into furious anger. “This conversation must cease, Emily. It will do neither of us any good. I understand that you mean well, but I will be able to find a bride without any further aid. I thank you.”
To his astonishment, Emily flung herself to her feet, her eyes ablaze with the very same anger and frustration he himself felt. Seemingly, she too had been holding back her emotions, all without his realization.
“You are unwilling to listen to me still, it seems!” She threw up her hands, then tossed her head and marched to the door. “I was doing my best to help you, but no doubt, you do not think youneedany help. Well, I do wish you success this Season, brother, but I shall await your letter informing me that you have found it very difficult indeed and should very much like some advice. Although when you do send that letter, do not expect me to be particularly forthcoming!”
“I have no intention of writing such a letter,” Joseph answered hotly. “The only communication you will receive from me is news of my engagement.”
