Miss Leigh glanced in his direction with an arched brow. “No.”
But then she sighed and amended. “Not truly. I did think myself in love, but he was a good man through and through—treated me with kindness and care. For the first time in my life, I was shown a world beyond simply being petted and praised. And I was determined to have him for myself.”
Malcolm winced. “Your tone and present unmarried state suggest that wasn’t successful.”
Miss Leigh chuckled and shook her head, glancing at him with a rueful look. “He fell madly in love with my sister, and rightly so. They are much better suited for each other than he and I could ever be. But it changed my perspective on the world and marriage. So, as to your question. No, I shan’t be vying for Mr. Tate’s attention unless he proves himself to be a man worth having, even if my parents are determined that I should snatch him up.”
Straightening, the lady turned to face him, her brows pulled low. “And why am I speaking to you about such things? This is hardly an interesting conversation.”
“I beg to disagree. I appreciate the candor. Most people hide their true feelings, speaking only that which they think will please you,” replied Malcolm. “So, you are determined to carve your own path, rather than doing as your parents dictate.”
Miss Leigh frowned, her gaze dimming. “I certainly hope to, though I fear at times I might cave in to their demands. It is not always easy to stand firm against people who control your world.”
“I applaud you for trying,” said Malcolm. “I am quite familiar with the pressures parents can put on their children.”
The gig hit a hole, knocking her into him, though she righted herself with a laugh.
“Ah, yes,” she replied, her eyes lighting once more. “The horde of grandchildren your mother longs for. I am certain that shall be far easier to accommodate than my parents’ dictates. They want a large fortune, and I want a loving and respectful marriage.”
“And you do not think it is possible?”
“I am not unmarried because of a lack of opportunity, Mr. Malcolm,” replied Miss Leigh. “At seven and twenty, most ladies are married or engaged, and I remain unbound because I refuse to do so simply to satisfy my parents’ ambition.”
Chapter 7
What had possessed her tongue? Rosanna didn’t know, but neither could she get it under control once more. Mr. Malcolm was so engaging and seemed so ready to listen to her troubles that she couldn’t seem to stop herself from divulging all her secrets.
This was Prudence’s fault. These were the sorts of things Rosanna had been able to speak about in the dark of night as they lay in their beds. Now, she was left with Francis and Katherine, and while the former was a kindred spirit of sorts, she didn’t have the maturity or experience to be a proper confidant. And Katherine was a prickly sort, forever eschewing Rosanna’s offers of friendship.
Rosanna was merely lonely—which was rather odd, given her situation.
The Leigh household was hardly a solitary place, and her standing in society rarely allowed her the opportunity for seclusion. Yet despite the vast amount of people gathered round Rosanna, few truly wished to hear her opinions and thoughts beyond the vapid and silly. And Prudence was all too occupied with her new life now to listen to her heartaches.
Heaving a heavy sigh, Rosanna’s gaze drifted to the passing scenery. The rolling hills were dappled green and gold, cut across by gray walls that, for all their straight lines, looked rather haphazardly placed.
“That’s admirable,” said Mr. Malcolm.
Straightening, Rosanna turned away from her study of a distant copse and looked at the fellow’s profile. He was too handsome to be a groom. And far too handsome for her good. Especially when she was sitting there, admiring his profile when he’d just spoken.
“Pardon?”
“It’s admirable,” he repeated. Then, casting her a glance, Mr. Malcolm smiled. “That you are determined to marry for more than money or social status. One shouldn’t settle in marriage. As you are going to be bound to the gentleman ’til death do you part, it seems as though you should pick as you please—not according to another’s whims.”
Rosanna gave him a rueful smile. “You haven’t met my parents, sir. It has been nearly a year since I rejected the proposal of a very eligible gentleman, and my father still cannot bear the sight of me. My mother has only just warmed to me again, but she is quick to dredge up my rebellion and use it to twist my feelings about until I do precisely as she wishes.”
“Mothers are the best manipulators, aren’t they?” he said with a broad grin. “As we owe them so much, it is little wonder they can get us to do as they please.”
“Again, Mr. Malcolm, you haven’t met mine.” Though the words were spoken with the light tone of a jest, Rosanna’s heart sank at how steeped in truth that statement was. Her mother had given her life, to be certain, but would she spend her entire life indebted to the lady who had cried because her daughter was not a son? Mama only cared two jots about her second-born once Rosanna proved to be a beauty, after all. Did a child owe her parents anything when she was a by-product of desperation? Greed?
Rosanna gave another heavy sigh and turned back to the landscape, though the green was not as verdant and the sky not quite so blue.
“Tell me of your family,” said Mr. Malcolm.
With a furrowed brow and a curl of her lips, Rosanna huffed. “Believe me when I say there is little to tell you.”
“Nonsense. You mentioned them a little the other day, and I am curious about the Leigh family,” said Mr. Malcolm.
Bess was certainly taking her time, but when she glanced down the road, Rosanna spied the next fork. “Follow the lane to the left.”
