Vexed, he stood up and grumbled, “Fine, apologies for whatever I did wrong.”
She smiled. That was too easy. Daniel Rathban malleable? Why the devil had he invited her here?
She was too curious not to mention, “You have been noticeably absent from recent social events.”
He shrugged. “I was washing my hands of this entire . . . confusing business. I even bought passage to leave the country. And visited the properties that were given to me the day I was born so I could arrange to sell them, only to find out I don’t actually own them yet. I’d been given the incomes from those properties but the deeds won’t be mine until I marry. My father has kept me on a rope from the day I was born, but I hadn’t realized it until now.”
There was the bitterness she was more accustomed to hearing from him. So she steered him away from the subject of his father and pretended nonchalance that he was leaving England. “When does your ship sail?”
“It did, yesterday.”
Had he stayed because of her? Or had Albert done the right thing and told him about his son?
He disabused her of both notions when he continued. “I squandered away the fortune I had when I turned eighteen. Don’t ask me on what, because I honestly don’t remember those years. I was rarely sober. But I had depended on the fortune I would gain from the sale of those properties. Without them, I can’t really afford to live anywhere else, so I’m still unable to cut that bloody rope my father tied on me.” And then with a snarl he added, “I have often thought of killing him, I hate him that much. Do you find that strange?”
She would probably feel exactly the same if she had a father like his. “No, I confess, I don’t like your father, either.”
He snorted. “I still suspect my father’s machinations have brought about your interest in me, though Mother swears it’s not so.”
“Didn’t I tell you that as well?”
He ignored that and warned, “Don’t expect me to be faithful.”
Out of the blue! As if he’d asked her to marry him and she’d already accepted. But considering everything that had led to this moment, she wasn’t going to insist he propose the normal way.
“Don’t expect me to be, either.”
He narrowed his eyes on her. “Do as you like after you produce a male heir. That is what this bloody marriage is about, after all, and it will get Father off my back for good. This is all so pointless! He could have acknowledged any one of the bastards I’ve produced—”
“Spare me the details,” she said dryly. “I’m really not interested in how you’ve populated half of London. But I wasn’t joking about shooting you. I’m not a scullery maid. You will deal with me gently or not at all.” And having stressed that, she smiled and asked, “Shall the banns be read this Sunday? I’d rather not have a long engagement.”
“No banns. Apparently, Father obtained a special license the very day I turned eighteen.”
She laughed, though it sounded hollow. “That’s definitely planning ahead. So you told him the good news?”
“I don’t speak to him unless I’m forced to. I left it to Mother. We will have a private ceremony here this weekend, only family invited. Don’t worry about a wedding dress. My mother has offered hers if you don’t have one.”
This weekend! Her heart began to pound, not with happiness, but dread. And she didn’t dare try to delay the inevitable. She’d put this marriage in motion herself.
Chapter Forty-nine
WHEN VANESSA ARRIVED HOME, she was only a little late for luncheon with her family. Even Charley and Monty were at the table today. Charley stood up to bow in greeting in his usual flamboyant fashion. She avoided Monty’s eyes as she took her seat and tried to concentrate on the plate set before her—without much luck. She was too aware of Monty across from her, could feel the heat from his eyes without looking up to see it.
“I would like a word after you eat, darling,” Kathleen said.
Rickles, that traitor! Of course he would have let Kathleen know about that summons. And of course she would be eager to know what Vanessa had found out this morning at the Rathban house. It didn’t require a lengthy explanation, though she’d barely had time to digest it herself.
“I hope you weren’t looking forward to planning a big wedding, Mother, at least not for me. I’m to be married in four days at the Rathbans’ London residence. They have a special license to allow it.”
How dull her voice sounded! Vanessa hadn’t meant to just drop it out there like that, either, but was glad she did. Anything to do with this wedding couldn’t be over and done with soon enough for her.
The twins squealed with excitement over her news and got up to hug her. Kathleen was more reticent, saying, “This weekend? Why so soon?”
“Less time for wedding jitters?” Vanessa suggested, adding, “The date wasn’t my idea, though I’m not displeased by it. And they want a private ceremony, with only the immediate family present.”
“Hiding it?” Kathleen said, clearly annoyed. “The Rathbans better have a good reason. Yes, I did expect you to have a grand wedding that I was looking forward to planning—not this!”
Vanessa chuckled wryly. “Considering jilted brides are the bane of that family, I would guess it’s merely a precaution to ensure less embarrassment, should one of us end up being jilted.”
