“Yes.I refused to go to her own dressmaker.”
“Understandable.You want something in a different style I suppose.”He’d never shown much interest in feminine fashions, nor male ones either.His valet kept him sufficiently informed of what was appropriate for gentlemen.
She cocked her head and looked at him with a curious expression.“You don’t mind?”
He laughed softly.“When you get to know my aunt better you will learn that a little opposition stimulates her.My brothers, especially Gabe and Harry make an art of it.She grumbles about it, but secretly it delights her.You’ll see when you meet them.”
She started and swiveled in the saddle.“They’re coming, your brothers?But I thought Gabriel lived in Zindaria.”
“He does, and he was very cross that he would miss my wedding.I’m the last single brother, you see.Head of the family.”He grimaced.It couldn’t be helped.There was simply not enough time for Gabe and Callie to make the trip in time for the wedding.
Marcus had worked hard at repairing the rifts in the family caused by his parents’ quarrels—and by his own actions too, he had to admit.He was still deeply ashamed of the way he and Nash had treated Harry and Gabe when they were schoolboys.
“My other brother, Nash, won’t be coming either.He and his wife and the children live in Russia, in St.Petersburg, and the journey would take weeks, if not months, depending on the weather, so they wouldn’t make it in time.He’s a diplomat.”He glanced at her and added, “But if there is anyone you’d like to come to the wedding, make sure you tell Aunt Maude.”
There was a short silence, then, “There’s no-one,” she said bleakly.
There was a short silence then Marcus said, “You don’t mind that your brother won’t be there?”
“No, of course not!It’s a great relief to me that he hasn’t shown any interest in me since I left his house.Of course, he wouldn’t if he’s gone to America.”She glanced at him.“I know it sounds unnatural, a sister speaking so of her only brother—”
“Not unnatural at all.He treated you appallingly.”Once again, Marcus wondered whether he should tell her about the role he had played in Edgar’s removal from her life.He should, he knew, but though her brother had treated her badly and exploited her shamelessly, he wasn’t sure how she’d react.
They rode on in silence until, Tessa silent and thoughtful.He wondered what she was thinking about.Life without Edgar?
As they approached the edge of the heath, she said, “I wish Louis, my other brother had lived.He died at Waterloo.”
“I know.I’m sorry.I knew him—both your brothers—very slightly at school, and the general consensus was that Louis was a good fellow.”And Edgar one of the worst.
She nodded, her lips compressed as if holding back emotion, but the minute they reached the heath proper, she said, “Race you to that old oak,” and took off.
After a while, playing “catch me if you can” on horseback, their mounts were tiring, and they turned back, slowing to a walk.
“Thank you for sparing the time to take me riding,” she said after a while.“I cannot tell you what it means to me.And I know how busy you must be.”
“Not at all,” Marcus assured her.For the first time in his life, he’d delegated much of his business—and even some parliamentary matters, when that was possible—to his very efficient secretary, who was delighted to be given more responsibility.Marcus didn’t even feel guilty about it.After all, he was getting married in a few weeks, and he’d be off on his honeymoon after that.Which reminded him.“By the way, have you thought about where you’d like to go on our honeymoon?”he asked her.
She blinked and looked at him in surprise.“Honeymoon?You’re askingme?”
“Yes.Anywhere you’d particularly like to go?”
She gave him a long look then nodded.“Belgium.”It burst out of her.
“Belgium?”he repeated, bemused.“Do you mean France?Paris?”People had been flocking to Paris since Napoleon’s final defeat.
“No, Belgium.Waterloo, in fact.I would like to visit Waterloo.”
“You mean the site of the battle?”It was a strange choice for a honeymoon.
She nodded.“I would like to visit my brother’s grave.Louis’s grave.But I suppose it’s not possible.”
“I see.”Marcus nodded, keeping his doubts to himself.Most of the Waterloo graves were unmarked and likely to be invisible by now.Some wealthy English families had had their sons’ bodies shipped home, to be buried in the family graveyard or crypt, but clearly Edgar hadn’t bothered with the expense.If he had, she would surely know.Louis Blaxland had likely been buried along with the thousands of undistinguished dead.Should he tell her that now or wait?Wait, he decided.
“Very well, if that’s what you want, we will go to Belgium and visit the battle ground.”
Her face lit up and she reached across and touched his arm.“Thank you, Marcus.I cannot tell you how happy that makes me.”Her smile stole his breath and caused his mouth to dry.He swallowed.
Her delight seemed a disproportionate reaction, and made him curious as to where her other honeymoons had been.But before he could ask, she added, “I’ve never been anywhere, you see, not out of England.Not even to other parts of England.”
