Kathleen actually conceded. Even the twins seemed surprised by it. But they got through the rest of the lunch without any more combat, so Vanessa waited until dessert was set before her to mention, “By the by, Mother, I agree to your arranged marriage for me.”
Layla gasped. “Arranged?”
And Emily exclaimed, “You said we could pick our husbands as long as you approved!”
“And so you shall,” Kathleen replied. “This particular match for Vanessa was merely too good to turn down when it was offered years ago. Leave us. I need to speak to your sister alone about it.”
Layla immediately stood up to depart, but Emily stayed in her seat and her expression had turned mulish. Vanessa almost laughed. This twin had definitely gained some courage over the years.
But there was no doubt that Kathleen was angry when she repeated, “I said, leave us.”
Emily instantly rose with a loud huff and headed for the door. She still wouldn’t confront Kathleen’s anger, but apparently she didn’t mind displaying some of her own these days.
Once they were alone, Vanessa said, “That wasn’t necessary. You could have waited to speak to me alone after they were on their way out the door.”
“And you could have waited until then to make that incredible announcement, but you didn’t. What do you mean you agree? I told you, I haven’t heard back from Albert Rathban yet and found out if the offer is still available. His boy doesn’t want to marry, ever.”
“Why not?”
“He didn’t say, only that he had arranged for five other brides before you and they were all rejected. It might just be his son’s shyness.”
“What else can you tell me about him?”
“I met the boy only briefly years ago at a horse race. He’s not especially good-looking, but certainly not ugly. However, his shyness makes him appear socially awkward, perhaps even a little dull, but I still thought he was a nice boy. I’m not trying to put you off by having nothing wonderful to say about him.”
Vanessa was actually pleased by Kathleen’s description because marriage to such a compliant fellow might not be all bad. He might sign her contract, and she might even gain the upper hand in the marriage. But she wasn’t going to mention that to Kathleen.
“You haven’t put me off,” she assured her mother. “Is he Albert’s only son?”
“Indeed, which is why this has been a dilemma for Albert and is the reason why he made the offer. Yet his son might have finally married this last year for all we know. And Albert was angry when you didn’t come for your Season last year to try to win him. I was forced to tell him you weren’t here, that you went into exile with your father. I didn’t hear back from him after that.”
“It’s going to allow Father to come home, isn’t it?” Vanessa asked.
“Yes, it would have. And it had seemed like the perfect solution at the time, but that was before I knew how willful you turned out.”
“Not about this. I’ll do anything to break Father’s chains. He never deserved any of this. So write to Rathban again. If he’s just making you stew because the marriage didn’t happen on his time schedule, assure him that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to bring his son to the altar—if the boy is still available.”
Chapter Twenty-two
THE TWINS WERE WAITINGfor Vanessa in her room across the corridor, the door left open so they could see when she left Kathleen’s room. Such forbearance! She would have eavesdropped, but they probably didn’t even consider it, Kathleen had trained them so well.
But both girls were impatient and didn’t even wait until she was fully in the room before asking, “Why are you already affianced?”
“Did you know?”
“And didn’t mention it to us?”
“How could you agree?”
Vanessa almost laughed, having to glance back and forth between the twins. It so reminded her of their childhood. But she closed the door, then turned to give them a wry smile.
“It was—unexpected,” she said.
“Then why did you agree?” Emily asked.
“Wouldn’t you?”
“No, we were promised choices.”
