Finn pursed his lips slightly, but he didn’t look angry at that response. He got to his feet at last and said, “I hope you’ll figure it out because you are both miserable and it’s hard to watch.”
Sebastian followed him to his feet and stared in confusion as Finn strode toward the door. “Finn, wait,” he called out.
Delacourt turned back. “Yes?”
“That’s all? You have nothing else to say about all of this? No warning me off your sister, no demands that I make things right?”
“As you both told me, you are two adults, well capable of taking care of yourselves. My interference to keep you from her clearly didn’t work before. Perhaps it would be best for me to stay out of it now. I hope I’ll see you for sparring later in the week. I have a few frustrations that have nothing to do with my sister which I’d love to work out. Good day, Sebastian.”
“Good day,” Sebastian repeated even though the words almost felt as though they had no meaning as Delacourt departed the room like he hadn’t just set off a bomb.
It seemed like his friend was giving permission for whatever Sebastian might like to do. Might dare to do when it came to Marianne. The ban was lifted and for the first time in a long time, Sebastian felt…free.
Only he was left with a thousand questions about what step to take next. Whatdidhe want when it came to Marianne? More to the point, what could he provide to her after a life of bored dissolution?
“And how does one court a lady, at any rate?” he muttered out loud, and then froze when he heard the words.
Court her. Court Marianne. He’d never courted anyone because courtship had a natural end and it was one he’d always avoided. He didn’t want to wed, at least not with emotions involved.
But now he stared at his hands clenched before him, these hands that had held her far too long ago, and he wanted to use them to take care of her for the rest of his life. He wanted to use them to please her and comfort her and support her.
Because he…he loved her? Could that be right? Could this feeling that swelled up when he thought of her, when he feared losing her, when he pictured a life whether it be joyfully with or painfully without her be…love?
He took a hard seat back at the head of the table. That thought was too powerful now. It felt so foreign and yet so absolutely fitting. So perfectly true.
The answer to his initial question became clearer now, too. To court a lady, or at least to court Marianne, he would look to the list he knew she was pursuing. He would give her what she wanted, help her fulfill her dreams and honor her friend. And perhaps in the process, he could also show her that he was a worthy risk to take.
Maybe he would show himself, too. Because in that moment he was afraid that perhaps he couldn’t measure up to the remarkable woman who had changed his entire life and now was positioned at the center of it. And he so wanted to do just that. No matter what he had to sacrifice to get there.
CHAPTER 23
Marianne sat at the breakfast table, a plate set before her, and stared into the distance, not seeing any of it. Her mind was too distracted, as it had been for over a week, with thoughts and memories.
“Ah, good morning, Marianne,” her aunt said as she shuffled into the room and made herself a plate.
“Good morning, Aunt Beulah,” she replied with as large a smile as she could manage. “That yellow is very nice on you.”
“Thank you, my dear,” her aunt said, and took a seat beside Marianne. She settled a napkin into her lap. “You don’t look to have reviewed the invitations we’ve received since your absence in the country.”
She motioned to the tray beside Marianne’s right hand, which was, indeed, brimming with invitations to balls and teas. Such a strange thing, really. At some point in her life, Marianne would have been thrilled at the increased attention, but now she looked at the pile with nothing but dread.
“There was so much excitement at Garringford Corners, I suppose I’m just looking forward to a few days of quiet,” she said, hoping it would put her aunt off of any idea of attending parties.
“I understand,” Beulah said, patting Marianne’s hand. They were quiet a moment as they both sipped their tea, then her aunt said, “But I did see an invitation from Lady Wilmington. She’s so very influential and I don’t think we’ve ever been invited by her.”
Marianne pursed her lips and looked into her aunt’s face, which was bright with the excitement over the important offer. “You would like to go.”
Beulah reached over and dug through the tray until she found the correct item and pushed it to Marianne. “I think we should, my dear. You clearly have an increased interest at present, we have twice as many invitations as ever—why not take advantage? Plus, I’ve always wanted to see the famous Wilmington sconces. They say they are decorated with real gems.”
Marianne looked over the invitation. “The ball is tonight.”
“It is. So you’d have an entire day to rest if you’d like and then dance the night away. Perhaps your Mr. Lanford will even be there. I assume you’d like to see him after you spent time together at the estate.”
Marianne arched a brow at her. “Are you matchmaking, auntie?”
Beulah laughed. “Just encouraging you to take advantage of any option you may find.”
“Well, Mr. Lanford is not an option,” she said gently. “He’s very kind but we do not suit, it seems.”
