“It would be my honor to make your wedding gown, my dear,” Mrs. Merrick said. “If you recall, I’m a fair seamstress.”
“More than fair, Mother. You are exceptional,” Burwood said.
Outnumbered, Anne turned to her future husband for support. “Doyouwish to marry so quickly?”
Colin darted a glance around to the expectant faces at the table. “All things considered, it would be best. Although it’s doubtful any news will appear in the scandal sheets, if we marry, it will nip any reports in the bud.”
“But won’t people still wonder? I mean, you and I have just met.”
“That’s simple,” Andrew offered. “We can say I suggested the match to Lord Manning with the idea that you two could become acquainted at the house party to see if the match had merit. Then, when you both got on famously, it was settled.”
Was everyone against her? “Juliana? Bea?” Anne cringed at the neediness in her voice.
Juliana shrugged. “Lord Manning has a point. Trust me, you want to stay out of those gossip rags if you can.”
Bea pushed her spectacles up her nose. “It seems a most logical solution to me. Consider that an arranged marriage might counter any suggestion that impropriety had precipitated it.”
True, Bea had a brilliant mind, but Anne failed to see what she deemed logical.
Thank goodness for the Duchess of Ashton, who interpreted. “I believe what Bea is saying, Anne, is that, with an arranged marriage, once you and Lord Manning agreed, there would be no need to wait. And given the ...circumstances, it would be prudent to expedite the union.”
“Circumstances?” Anne frowned until realization hit her. “You mean my age and Lord Manning’s need for an heir.”
The duchess sent her an apologetic look. “Do forgive me, but yes.”
Charlotte, who had been unusually quiet during the discourse, threw her serviette on the plate. “Oh, stop being a ninnyhammer. Just marry the man and be done with it.”
Even Mr. Beckham’s eyes widened at his wife’s outburst. “Dumpling, that is most unlike you.”
Really? Anne thought it was exactly like Charlotte to be blunt.
Fortunately, the conversation turned to other topics, and when the ladies left to gather in the parlor, Anne excused herself, saying it had been an eventful day, and she wanted to retire early.
She’d barely changed into her nightgown when someone knocked on her door, the forcefulrap, rap, rapenough to make her expect Colin or Andrew outside in the hallway.
“I’m coming. I’m coming.” She flung open the door and took a step back.
Charlotte strode in, big as you please. “Well, close the door. What I have to say is private.”
“I beg your pardon?” Anne sputtered while closing the door. “If you’re here to lecture me some more?—”
“Sit down and listen.” Charlotte pointed to the chair by the dressing table.
Unsure why she obeyed, Anne dropped into the chair with aplunk.
Charlotte paced before her, her dark brows drawn low over her equally dark eyes.
Fear trickled up Anne’s spine. Charlottewas a formidable woman on the best of days, but when her ire was up, God help the person on the receiving end.
“What I’m about to tell you might be of use.”
Anne’s mouth fell open at the mere idea Charlotte wished to help her.
Before she could utter a word, Charlotte held up a quelling hand. “But you must promise me you will never repeat it to a living soul.” At that, she stopped directly before Anne and delivered a glare that froze Anne to her seat, and she could only nod.
“And trust me, Anne. I shall know if you do divest yourself of this toanyone, and the consequences will be dire.”
Goodness, what in the world was she going to say? Perhaps speculating about haunted mansions or evil-intentioned suitors had filled her mind with dark possibilities. Anne’s throat tightened, and her words came out in a squeak. “Did youkillsomeone?”
