The doctor was at a loss for words, but he finally gave a nod. “Of course, Your Grace. But won’t you at least eat something to regain some of your strength before you go?”
“I’ll take it with me,” Gabriel returned, feeling that he’d been here far too long already.
A short time later, Gabriel mounted the chestnut gelding that was saddled and waiting for him. “Thank you again, Dr. Bryant,” he said sincerely. “My solicitor will be in touch.”
Then, without another glance back, he urged the mount into a canter — the dust flying out behind them as he headed for the city. He just prayed he could gain an audience with the Regent, so that he could plead his case.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Triana stood and stared out of the parlor window of the Abernathy townhouse in subdued silence. In the morning, after taking her vows, she would be expected to partake of a brief wedding breakfast, and then depart with her new husband for a honeymoon to Brighton, which would also be brief.
Triana recounted the past few days with a bleak sort of acceptance. Her eyes were grainy and red rimmed from a lack of sleep, interspersed with countless episodes of crying. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest the day before when she’d said goodbye to Gabriel, but she’d had no choice but to leave him behind and return to London with Travell.
When they arrived, her brother had tried to appeal to the Regent to release her from the engagement, but even though he had served his country well, Prinny hadn’t seen the advantage of declining Eastbury’s suit other than the fact she didn’t want it.
And so she had to face her fate.
How unfair life could be at times.
If anything positive could be said about it all, at least Amelia had not demanded to know the details regarding her daughter’s latest absence. It hadn’t seemed to matter as she was there now.
And even though she knew it was impossible, Triana had kept praying that somehow, Gabriel would appear on his white steed and sweep her across the border to Gretna Green.Foolish dreams. He was certainly in no shape to travel, let alone perform some heroic rescue.
At least she could hold on to a time when she’d been blissfully happy as she passed the rest of her life in a desolate blur.
“How are you holding up, Tri?” Travell’s concerned voice broke into her reverie, but before she could even make some noncommittal reply, Amelia strode in to the room behind him.
“She’s fine. She is about to do her duty and become a countess and make her mother very proud.” With a nod of satisfaction, Lady Trenton added, “I’m only sorry that Lady Greenville can’t be here for the nuptials. She was always such a spiteful woman who dared to impugn our worthiness in society, but this wedding shall quell any doubts about our family being less than satisfactory.”
Triana noticed that her brother was trying very hard to be civil as he clenched his jaw. “I can’t believe that you are allowing this farce simply to earn the respect of that gossiping annoyance of a woman.”
Amelia’s mouth pursed into a hard line. “Thatwomanhas been a favorite at Almack’s for years and has, no doubt, been more than happy to cast shadow upon us, which is why we never were able to obtain vouchers. Why, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the one who had encouraged those articles in the paper!”
“Dear God, Mother!” Travell countered hotly, “She is only one person—”
“With quite a bit of persuasion among theton!” Amelia cut him off in frustration, as if his inability to see the obvious was beyond her understanding. “But seeing as how you and I will never see eye to eye on this subject, I refuse to try and explain myself any further, as it truly matters little at this point. Once Triana is Eastbury’s wife, our respectability shall be complete and any door we wish shall be opened to us.”
Travell gave a scoff. “Is that all that matters to you? The acceptance of theton, rather than the happiness of your own daughter?”
Her mother visibly bristled. “Are you truly so blind?” she snapped. With her blue eyes flashing with an unknown emotion, she continued, “Have you forgotten so readily the way we were ostracized after your father left us? For years your sister has suffered from John’s misdeeds, and yet, you would dare to lecture me for trying to repair what has been broken in the aftermath?”
She shook her head, her jaw set. “No, the blame for all of this is to be laid athisfeet, not mine. I am merely struggling to put his prior mistakes to right and this marriage will ensure our valued position — and Triana’s, as a respected, settled woman.” With a huff, her mouth drooping slightly, she added, “So, if you wish to detest me for the rest of your days, that’s fine. It will not change my stance about this marriage. Perhaps if John hadn’t run off with that…woman,then Triana would have been free to marry a man of her choosing, and perhaps even for love. But in reality, many unions have been built on much less, and instead of continuously remarking on the earl’s negative points, perhaps you should recall the positive aspects to his nature, such as his wealth and his revered status. For that alone he is an agreeable match.”
After Lady Trenton’s outburst, the room fell into a tension-filled silence. For the first time Triana really looked at her mother and noticed the lines of strain around her eyes — a sign of an inner turmoil that Triana had failed to see before now, caught up in her own misery. She had been so angry at her mother for interfering in her life and forcing her to wed Eastbury that she had never stopped to think how her father’s departure had affected Amelia. Until now, Triana had never looked past her mother’s outward, and somewhat brusque, nature. But what if it was all a way to cover up her inner insecurities? She was a woman who was afraid of failing, terrified of living on the brink of society after her husband’s abandonment.
While Triana didn’t feel she had been a truly errant child, she thought back over her life, and conceded that perhaps she had been a bit reckless in her youth, like the incident at the fishing hole with Travell. Perhaps, in her mind, Amelia still saw that side of Triana. Of course, those articles in theTimeshadn’t helped matters, for it only made the countess imagine she was going to have to relive that previous hell. Thus, she had accepted Eastbury for her daughter’s hand, and saw any refusal or argument on Triana’s behalf as that same, childish rebellion.
A wave of empathy flowed over Triana as she walked over and took her mother’s hand in her own. With a start of surprise, Lady Trenton looked at her daughter warily, expecting to be attacked yet again. But with a sincere smile, Triana just squeezed gently. “I don’t think I’ve told you this lately, but I love you, Mama.”
The countess’ expression wavered and then her eyes filled with moisture. “You can’t know how long I have wished to hear those words from you,” she whispered. With a heavy sigh, some of her bluster subsided, “I only want a good life for you, Triana, and I honestly believe Eastbury can give you that. He seems to admire you and that’s all any of us can truly wish for in a marriage.”
Triana offered a melancholy smile in return. “But what if I love someone else?”
The countess appeared taken aback for a moment, and then her face cleared. “You’re speaking of the duke.” At Triana’s brief nod, Amelia frowned. “Has he made you an offer?”
Triana swallowed before slowly shaking her head. As disheartening as it was, it was the truth.
“I thought as much,” her mother murmured. “Triana, you must understand that Chiltern is rather… experienced, and you are yet naïve to the ways of the world and their many… persuasions. I know you may believe yourself in love with a man as charming as Chiltern, but you are a mere dalliance to him. If his heart was truly engaged, then he would have made you an offer long before now.”
