“I may know more than you think,” Michael said roguishly, and Norman rolled his eyes. But then Michael’s tone turned serious. “I know that it’s going to be as difficult for her as it will be for you. In fact, I’d say it will bemoredifficult for her than for you, because at least you get to remain in your own home. At least you have some measure of control over what happens next. For her… her whole world will be turned upside down the moment she comes to live in this house. Everything she has ever known will be left in the past.”
“And what am I to do about that?” Norman asked. “That’s what happens when a lady marries. She moves into her husband’s estate. She’ll have been preparing all her life for this day. I’m the one who’s been uprooted, because I never expected anything like this to happen to me. I never planned to come and live at Heathmare. This wasn’t supposed to be a part of my life. So as much as she is trying to adjust to new circumstances, I’m doing the very same thing.”
“All I’m saying is that you should try to treat her as an ally instead of a stranger,” Michael said. “You should try to see what the two of you have in common.”
Norman scoffed. “We don’t have anything in common.”
“Are you sure?”
“You sound like her father, talking about thebondbetween the two of us.”
“I don’t know about that,” Michael said. “But she’s going to be your wife, so wouldn’t it be better if there was really a bond between the two of you? Wouldn’t that be preferable?”
“No,” Norman said. “I don’t think it would be. What I would prefer is for the two of us to lead independent lives. I want her to be happy, but I don’t want her to rely on me for anything beyond the basics, and I don’t want to rely on her too much either. This is a partnership, you’re right, but nothing deeper than that.”
“Well, I think you’re making a mistake,” Michael sighed. “I think it would cost you nothing to make her happy—and to make yourself happy too.”
“You’ll understand when you’re a bit older,” Norman said.
“I’m thirty years old, Norman. I’m not a child. I understand life perfectly well. And I know that the relationship between a man and his wife can be a good and valuable thing—but only if he allows it to be.” Michael fixed him with a steady gaze.
Norman turned away and looked out the window. Whatever his cousin might think, this arrangement was strictly business. That was all it was ever going to be.
CHAPTER 3
“We’re expected for breakfast,” Susan said.
She had gone to her sister’s room to find Marina sitting on her bed, still in her dressing gown, gazing out the window. Now Marina looked up at her, wide-eyed and clearly sad.
“I think you should tell Father that you aren’t going to go through with this,” she said quietly.
Susan closed her eyes briefly. “Marina, you know what will happen. Father doesn’t mean for me to have a choice in this matter.”
“But he can’t force you,” Marina insisted. “Tell him you simply won’t do it. Tell him you won’t walk down the aisle, that you won’t say your vows, that the only words that will leave your lips will beI refuse. Say it to Father. Say it to the Duke! He won’t want to marry you under those circumstances.”
“I can’t do that,” Susan said. “I have to see this through, Marina.”
Her sister met her eyes. “Do you really think I don’t know your reason?”
Susan’s heart sank. She had hoped. “It isn’t what you think it is.”
“It’s exactly what I think it is, Sue. You’re doing this because you know I’m in love. You’re doing this because of me and Gilbert.”
Susan leaned against the doorframe. “What else can I do, Marina? I know he proposed to you. I know he’s a good man, and that you’re in love with him.”
Marina had come home positively dancing the night Gilbert Jones had declared his intention to ask her for her hand. Technically, of course, the proposal had not really happened yet. There had been no discussion with their father, who had made it abundantly clear that Marina would never marry until Susan had done so first.
It’s that awful family tradition, she thought darkly. Yes, it was normal for elder daughters to marry before younger ones, but at least in other families, there would be some flexibility. There was no reason Marina should not be able to marry. She was old enough. She had a suitor who was interested in her, even if their courtship had not been permitted to become official. They could have been married by the end of the year. They could have already begun a life together.
If only I wasn’t standing in the way.
Well, she wouldn’t stand in the way of her sister’s happiness. She would step aside, in the only way her father would permit.
“I know you want me to marry Gilbert,” Marina began.
“You want it too,” Susan said. “Don’t try to convince me that you don’t.”
“Yes, of course I do, but not at the expense of your happiness,” Marina said. “It isn’t worth that. I’m not worth that!”
