Page 5 of A Gentleman's Wife

Trying to swallow the lump in her throat, Marianne blinked. “He wishes to marry me?”

“He does notwishto marry you, child. For he certainly would not if he met you as you are.” Mother gave her a fierce glare over her teacup.

“To my knowledge, neither gentleman is aware of your health defects,” Father said. “I’m certain the grandson will discover your hand in time, but under no circumstances are you to reveal your illness.”

Keep the epilepsy from him? From her own husband?

“That’s impossible,” Marianne said, her mind whirling.

“You will do as your father says,” Mother commanded.

“If he finds out, he’ll no doubt send you right back, and sue Father for breach of contract. Then no one will have you,” Reginald insisted. “This truly is your only option, sister.”

He said the last word with false affection, and Marianne felt the sting of it.

“He will no doubt be like every other gentleman of our acquaintance,” Father went on. “Consummate the marriage, sire an heir and a spare, and then relinquish his need of you. Go about his business raising his sons while you run his estate.”

Each sentence carried more weight than the previous, twisting her stomach in dread. What did she know about running an estate? Her inclusion in such things had been minimal, and beyond that, how could she consummate a marriage when she’d rarely looked a man in the eye who wasn’t her family or her doctor? And what of the children she would bear? What if they had her same bodily afflictions? Would her husband hate her even more?

The one boon of this extreme scenario was that she would no longer be in this shell of a home. She’d see more of the world than she’d once thought, and as a lady of a house, she’d no longer be subject to her parents’ whims. She would have to answer to her husband, and all she owned in the world would be his, but perhaps it also came with a whisper of freedom. It was perfectly feasible that she could suffer more than she did now, but the possibility of a better life away from her family seemed worth the risk. As long as she wasn’t alone.

“Will I retain Eliza as my maid?” Marianne dared to ask.

“Seeing as she is the only one properly equipped to care for you, then you must. But she will be your husband’s expense and no longer ours. We’ll finally wash our hands of you.” Mother shook her head and looked away, lifting her nose haughtily.

It would be no great sacrifice to leave behind the family that should have loved her instead of despised her, though Marianne still feared the future that lay before her. “When is the marriage to take place?”

“Saturday next,” Father explained. “Mr. Ramsbury will obtain a special license, and you will marry at his parish church. Then you will be moved to his estate in Hampshire, Primrose House.”

Marianne’s entire body tensed, more than just her hand. In ten days, she’d no longer be able to hide in the shadows of her family home. She’d be far beyond the village walls, thrust into the world as a gentleman’s wife.

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