“But I offered to pay for your trips,” Matt said. “Even Marlin’s and Roland’s and the children. And I insisted that you stay with me. There is room for twenty in the London house.”
His sisters exchanged a look, one that made him pause. “You received an invitation for the ceremony and the breakfast, didn’t you? I instructed Minerva’s secretary to be certain your names were added to the guest list. I told her to write and let you know that you were welcome under my roof.” He realized even as he spoke that he should have done it himself. He’d given the order to Minerva’s secretary because he’d not spared the funds to hire his own man of business... but letters to his sisters?Heshould have written those.
“Oh, my,” Kate said, her eyes rounding with innocence as she saw that Matt was beginning to understand his request had been countermanded, “we were left off the listagain.” She scowled in Minerva’s direction before confessing, “I read the announcement in the papers. I contacted the others.”
“And you receivednoinvitation?”
Alice shook her head.
Matt could have throttled his grandmother. But then, his sisters were his family. He’d failed them. “I’m sorry, I should have seen to the matter.” Instead he’d buried himself away with hurt pride, self-pity, and frustration.
“It doesn’t matter,” Alice decreed, and then she straightened her shoulders. “Actually, we are here to ensure the dowager—”
“The troll,” Kate corrected, liking the name for Minerva that she’d coined.
“—isn’t forcing you into a disastrous match over money. Truly, Matt, I don’t know how our grandfather could have lost a fortune, but I will not see your future sacrificed for their mistakes.”
“How do you know about the state of my affairs?” Matt asked, his gaze narrowing.
“Everyone knows,” Alice said gently. “Even out in the country.”
“We also know that you’re marrying for money, and that isn’t right, Matt. It isn’t,” Kate insisted. She placed her hand on his arm. “In our family, we marry for love. Just as Mother and Father did. I could have married for money. There has been many a rich old codger who has wanted to climb my bones—”
“Keep your voice down. We are in church, Kate,” Alice said.
“There isn’t anything I could say here that hasn’t been said from any pulpit,” Kate answered. “And Matt’s happiness is at stake.” She picked up the threads of her point. “Father would be disappointed to know you are selling yourself for his outdated aristocratic family who can’t manage their affairs.”
“It is a bit more complicated than that, Kate,” Matt said.
His sister rolled her eyes. “Please, Matthew, we know the old duke was foolish with his money. Remember the stories Father told about how the old duke would spend a fortune on a special mash for his horses but couldn’t be bothered to buy seed for his cottagers when the crops failed, or support the village school?” She frowned, lifting a suspicious brow. “Or have you become that sort of duke? Are you taking care of your people?”
He held up a hand. He wasn’t going to go into the tale of blackmail with Kate, or justify his actions to date. “I’m trying to do what is right. Hopefully it will be the right thing for all of you. I will soon be able to help pay for education for my nieces and nephews. I can help support your troupe, Kate—”
“I don’t need help.”
“As you say, but if you do, I’m there.”
“Yes, like you have been ever since Henry and Minerva decided you were second best but will have to do,” Kate fired back.
“They have always been that way,” Matt answered. “However, I’ve held my own.” That wasn’t completely true.
“But are you also doing what is right for you?” Alice pressed. “Marriage is too hard to live it with a stranger.”
“And love isn’t all they claim it to be, either,” Matt flashed back. He kept his voice low, drawing his sisters closer. “However, whatever you think, I have made my decision. Besides, love isn’t some panacea for everything. It won’t buy seed or pay for the village school. And I will tell you something else, I’m better off without it.”
Because, he realized, he loved too deeply. That was what had happened between him and Letty. He could see it clearly now. This lore in his family that love reigned supreme had given him flawed expectations, expectations that had almost gutted him.
He was happy his wayward heart didn’t feel love for his soon-to-be bride. There would be no more disappointments in his life—
The entrance door flew open and was caught by a liveried footman. Leland Reverly marched into the church with his customary swagger.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Reverly barked out heartily. “A great day for a wedding, isn’t it?” His wife followed him. She was dressed in purple, a rich shade tinged with red and not at all like his grandmother’s lavender gown, and yet, for some reason, Matt sensed she wore it for mourning. Certainly, her expression lacked her husband’s satisfaction.
And then all conscious thought left Matt’s mind, as Willa’s petite figure followed her mother into the sanctuary. She had her head down as she tried to keep her skirts from brushing the door but then she looked up, and suddenly stopped at the sight of Matt.
A beautiful woman could capture any man’s attention, but there was something unique and special beyond the mere physical about Willa.
Her hair was piled high on her head, with a few artless strands curling down to her shoulders. The dress was an ethereal white that brought a glow to her skin. Her dark blue eyes met his. Her lips parted, and he almost took a step forward, wanting to touch her to see if she was real.
