“You and Blakely are engaged?” Cecily’s brows rose almost to her hairline.
“And you didn’t tell me? When did this happen?” Sophia looked hurt.
“Emily brokered the entire thing.” Rhoda didn’tfeelengaged. “It happened rather suddenly.”
“Just last night,” Emily concurred. “He’s going to marry her to get back at his father.”
Rhoda’s hands felt cold and clammy again. Would she ever come to terms with the notion that her bridegroom’s sole purpose for marrying her was revenge?
The remainder of her life would be based on hatred. And fear.
The room fell silent.
“When?” Sophia asked the pertinent question.
“Blakely’s flexible but Rhoda insists she won’t leave untilIam betrothed.” Emily wrinkled her nose, making her spectacles bounce a little. She obviously didn’t appreciate Rhoda’s stipulation.
“Have the two of you gone completely mad?” Cecily no longer made any pretense of embroidering, setting her circle on the table beside her. “Emily isn’t even close to being betrothed!” And then, questioning her own statement, she turned her gaze upon Emily. “Are you?”
But Cecily didn’t understand how cruel Emily’s aunt could be! Nothing would be worse for her friend than to be sent away to that woman!
“I’m determined she should marry Lord Carlisle,” Rhoda interjected before Emily could respond.
“What about Lieutenant Langdon?” Sophia looked doubtful.
Emily scrunched up her nose again, but before she could answer, Rhoda responded, “Carlisle is perfect for her.”
Cecily narrowed her eyes and turned to Emily. “Doyou wantto marry Lord Carlisle?” Before Rhoda could speak, Cecily held up a halting hand. “And hush, Rhoda, I’m asking Emily.”
Hush? Of course, Rhoda would allow Emily to answer for herself.
Emily set her tea aside and then shrugged. “He seems tolerable enough.”
At this, Cecily threw up her hands in repugnance, and Sophia burst from her chair.
“Tolerable?” Cecily’s tone carried disgust.
“If she doesn’t marry, she’ll be sent to Wales. Her aunt requires a companion, and her mother is hell-bent upon Emily filling the role,” Sophia replied.
“So, you see?” Rhoda glared at Cecily, daring her to hush her once again. “Emily’s situation is nearly as urgent as mine.”
“I’m not so certain of that.” Cecily shook her head. “Marriage is forever. She could always leave off her aunt. It’s far more difficult to leave off a husband.”
“Except you did,” Emily said.
Rhoda nearly chimed in that Sophia had as well, except that would be rather insensitive, in light of the circumstances. Although Rhoda would always be of the mindset that Sophia had been in love with Devlin at the time she married Harold.
“Only by the grace of God,” Cecily insisted.
“And Flavion’s treachery,” Sophia added.
“What I’mtryingto get all three of you to consider is that Emily ought to find her future husband more than simplytolerable.”
Emily sighed loudly. “We cannot all marry for love, Cecily. Rhoda isn’t, and I hardly expect to. But Lord Carlisle is a good sort of man and quite handsome to boot. Good heavens, and he’s an earl now! I’d have been satisfied with him even if he were still a vicar.”
Cecily moaned and shook her head. “You’ve all gone mad. Surely, you don’t support this tomfoolery, do you, Soph?”
“It isn’t really up to us, Cece. Lord Carlislewasquite attentive to Emily at dinner last night. And he truly is one of the finest gentlemen I’ve ever met.” Sophia blushed. “Aside from Dev, of course.”
