“Mother…” she said, her eyes flickering to her brother, “Marcus, what may I help you with?”
Margaret’s gaze sharpened as she studied her daughter’s face. “Your eyes are dreadfully swollen, dear. Have you been sleeping well?”
Cecilia’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing.
“In any case, it’s time for you to return to London. It’s about time you returned home to your family,” her mother said frankly,omitting all niceties and social proprieties. “I, for one, am glad themockerof a husband you once had is gone.”
Her fists clenched, “And why do I need to return to London, pray tell?”
“To find your new husband, of course!” Margaret sang loftily. “I have it on good faith that you have had an annulment agreement, and it is signed. You are a free woman, Cecilia, and we can find a proper husband for you.”
“Andwhere, precisely, did you get this information?” Cecilia asked her mother.
“I told her,” Marcus answered swiftly. “A few of my friends are posted in the Archbishop’s office and disclosed to me in confidence that the agreement was sent off.”
“Yes, yes,” Margaret waved a handkerchief. “Now, do as you’re told and pack a few things. We can send for the rest of your belongings later this week. Are you familiar with Lord Salisbury, perchance?”
“The handsome, blond man whom they equate to the reincarnation of Adonis, yes, I do,” Cecilia answered flatly.
“Oh,delightful! He has proposed his interest in meeting you,” her mother chimed. “And he already has mine and your father’s approval.”
“To marry me, I presume,” Cecilia filled in the blanks hollowly.
“Of course!” her mother clapped. “Now, when are you going to get ready?”
Cecilia sighed, knowing that any refusal she might give her mother would be ignored. Being alone was certainly doing no good for her well-being; shooting down this second marriagebuffooneryhead-on was possibly the wisest decision in the short term.
“Give me a few moments, please.”
As she went to her rooms, she called for Abigail, and soon enough, they had a couple of trunks and bags set. With that done, she left for Cassian’s room, where she had been sleeping for the last couple of days, and found the folio he’d spoken of under her copy ofCecilia.
A wry laugh left her, “If you wanted to make a point, Cassian, you made it.”
Taking both with her, she rejoined her mother to see that Andrews had brought up refreshments. From the overly stoic look on Andrews’ visage, she knew the man was not entirely thrilled. Joan, the housekeeper and his wife, was standing beside him, equally distraught.
She went up to them, ignoring the look her mother was searing into the middle of her back. In her mother’s house, staff were not privy to peers’ affairs, but Cecilia did not much care.
“I’ll be leaving,” she said quietly. “I will be sending for the rest of my things later this week. Will you be alright?”
Andrews bowed, “His Grace has paid our allowances for several years on, or as long as it will take to dissolve the Dukedom if the decision is made. Yes, Your Grace, I—wewill be all right.”
“Good,” she smiled. “Please look out for my note this week. I’ll be sure to visit soon.”
Turning to her mother, she said, “We can leave.”
“You have everything for now?” Margaret asked.
“Yes.” She nodded as two footmen came and collected her trunks. “We can go… home.”
The carriage rocked gently as it made its way back to London, but Cecilia felt no such ease. It was with a dismal ear that she listened as her mother and Marcus discussed the lords of London who were potential suitors, while she wondered when to tell them that she had not seen, let alone signed the annulment agreement Cassian had left behind.
“Salisbury is still a good choice, but what about Duke Valhaven?” Margaret pondered aloud.
“He is a perpetual bachelor, Mama,” Marcus’ forehead creased. “He could not be tied down with a Gordian Knot. Now, his brother, on the other hand—”
Cecilia narrowed her eyes. “Will you two care to address me as I am present and also as not as if I am some fattened calf ready to be led to the slaughterhouse?”
“Yes, yes,” her mother waved absently. “I would love to include you, Cecilia, but seeing how disastrous your past choices were, we think it wise that we vet the lords for you first.”
