“No! Of course not, Tally. I met him after you left.”
“But you didn’t write to me about him either,” she accused.
Her sister looked sheepish. “My plan was to tell you when you returned. I wanted to do it in person. I knew if I told you in a letter, you would fret and wouldn’t understand it, perhaps even oppose it.”
“You think I would oppose your happiness?” That struck to the heart.
Her sister grabbed her hand. “Not on purpose, my dear. I know you love me and have my best interests at heart. But given your own experience with marriage, and your ideals, I thought you might be...predisposed against the institution.”
“With good reason! You know that once a woman marries, she becomes her husband’s property. She has fewer rights than a servant. He controls her money, her body. He can dictate her entire life!”
“I know it can be that way in some marriages. But it won’t be like that in mine. Drew respects me. Views me as an equal. When he negotiated the marriage settlements with Papa, he insisted I have my own funds. Even contributed to a trust thatis completely at my disposal, so that I never feel financially beholden to him. And did you know he is involved with a group advocating for women’s rights?”
“I didn’t know.”
Her sister went on with her impassioned defense of her new husband. “He is. Not only that, he wrote a pamphlet advocating for a woman’s right to sue for divorce on the same grounds as the men. I read it a few years back and have admired him in secret since then.”
“You’ve known him that long?”
“Oh, I didn’t know him then! He rarely attended the kinds of balls Mama took me to. And on the very few occasions he did, he never noticed me. We met less than a month ago.”
“Then how can you be so sure he is the one? I understand he is handsome, and from what you tell me, also a decent man. But, dear, he also has a reputation as a rake...” Thalia trailed off, realizing the futility of speaking against her new brother-in-law.
For better or worse, they were married. There was nothing to be gained by sowing doubts in her sister’s mind. But Artemis surprised her yet again by smiling and shaking her head.
“That doesn’t worry me. Andrew has promised to be faithful, and I believe him. We love each other. I trust him.”
“How can you trust?” It wasn’t a rhetorical question. She was genuinely curious to learn how to trust someone in a matter like that.
Her sister’s gaze was kind and understanding as she answered. “I guess it’s a matter of faith. There are no guarantees in life or love. But I believe in his love and his commitment to stay faithful. Tally, dear, I know you’ve had an awful experience with marriage. And our work in the charity group hasn’t painted a pleasant picture of men and marriage in general. But not all marriages are bad. In fact, you need to look no further than our friends in the group committee, Lady Hartfield, LadyBrentworth, the Duchess of Aycliffe. They are very happy in their marriages, and it is plain to see their husbands adore them.”
“That is true. But they are the exception, not the norm. And even they had painful experiences in the past before they found happiness with their husbands.”
“But the point is that happiness is possible. It’s achievable. And maybe a bit more common than you think. Don’t close your heart to the possibility. Especially considering that love may call at your door soon.”
“What are you talking about? Love calling at my door, indeed! How preposterous.”
“Hmm, I don’t know. I sensed a certain affinity between you and the marquess. And if the way he looks at you is any indication, I’d say there’s something there for sure.”
“You are imagining things,” Thalia whispered, but she knew her face was giving her away as the heat climbed up her neck to warm her ears.
Her sister smiled in apparent delight. “I knew it! You sly vixen.” Artemis leaned forward with a gleam in her eyes. “Have you shared his bed? Was it good?”
“Artemis!” Thalia choked, outraged at her sister’s impudence. “Young lady, that is not a proper subject.”
Artemis laughed. “Oh, don’t be a stick in the mud, Tally. I’m a married woman now. And you are a widow. Who could fault you if you wanted to...indulge with the marquess? And if he’s anything like his brother, you are in for a lot of fun, indeed.”
Her ears must be crumbling to cinders right now. That’s how hot they were. But she couldn’t contain the smug smile of bliss that stretched her lips, just remembering the night. “It was wonderful,” she admitted.
Her sister clapped, delighted. “Oh, how splendid! Imagine if you marry the marquess, we would be double sisters!”
“Shh! Don’t be silly, Artemis. We are already sisters and will always be. There’s no such thing as double sisters. Besides, I’m not going to marry the marquess. I have no desire to get married ever again. Period. No matter how wonderful the...bedsport may be.”
“Hmm, we’ll see. I think you protest too much.”
REVEREND LANGLEY LEDLiam and Andrew to a spacious study and departed with the promise to send tea and sandwiches. No sooner had the door closed behind the rector that Liam turned on his brother.
“What the hell were you thinking, Andrew?”
