“Dare I ask, will the boy have a mother too? Although our childhood is not exactly a ringing endorsement for motherhood, you must admit that James will need a mother above all else.”
“He will be fine without one.”
She sighed. “Marcus, I am more than aware of your objections toward marriage. Everyone who knows you is.”
“Then why bring it up?”
“Because if you want to do right by this child, and by your friend, then you ought to start searching for a bride. Even had you not decided to adopt so suddenly, you would still require one. Your title and place in society demands it.”
Marcus groaned, and he purposefully avoided looking directly at his sister.There is no need because she knows what I am thinking. This is not exactly a new topic…
As a duke, Marcus was expected to marry. He had known this his entire life, even been raised to accept it so that when the day came, he would not object. The irony in all of this was that the way he was raised was precisely why he did not want to marry. Ever.
His parents were a cold and calculating duo. Marcus’ mother cared only about perception, and everything that she did was designed to mold Marcus into the perfect son of the ton. His father, on the other hand, was as cold and cruel a man as existed, and his ire was legendary. Nothing was ever good enough, nothing was ever close to right, and Marcus was always to blame.
There was no love in the household that Marcus was raised in. Not between husband and wife. Not between parents and children. They were products, born and bred for a purpose, and the effect of this was still felt today.
To marry… to have a child of his own… Marcus did not see the point. In fact, he thought he was doing the world a favor by refusing such a thing.
“Marcus?” Honoria began softly as the silence stretched between them. “Do not get upset, but there is something that I wish to bring to your –”
Suddenly, the baby woke up and with its waking came hell.
The baby screamed murder so that the walls started to shake. Marcus hesitated, not certain how to act. Although he had spent the last six nights watching over the child, he had always had help, and rarely was he needed directly.
The baby’s cries grew louder… pain-filled and scared… and Marcus swallowed back his uncertainty and hurried into the room.
Again, when he reached the cot he hesitated, no idea what to do or how to do it. He half-reached for James, paused, felt as if he was doing something wrong…
And still the baby cried, forcing him to scoop it into his arms and gently rock it back and forth. It was awkwardly done, proof that he was in over his head in everything.
Proof that the child needs a mother, as loath as I am to admit it.
Honoria watched from the doorway, and she wore a sad frown. “You need help, Marcus. Anyone can see it.”
“I am quite fine.”
“As I was saying…” She started carefully into the room, wincing as the baby cried louder. “Later this week, Lady Fairvale is hosting a charity patronage. It is said to be a casual affair…” She scoffed. “Or as casual as people from this town are capable. I think you should go.”
Marcus looked flatly at his sister, no need to say anything.
“You do not have to decide on anything,” Honoria pressed, forced to speak loudly because the baby made such a noise. “There is no pressure. But you need a wife, Marcus. James needs a mother. And it will not hurt to at least get a sense of who is out there.”
“It is a waste of time.” He gently stroked the baby’s back, no idea if it was making a difference.
“No,” Honoria said. “What you are doing now is a waste of time. This is necessary, and it is good for the child.”
“You do not know what is good for the child.”
“Nor do you,” she said rightly. “Imagine if James was still alive. What would he say? What would he want? He would want what was best for his son, and you know as well as I that this is best.”
Marcus groaned under the weight of her argument.
She is right… about everything. I do not wish to marry. A wife, that life, it is the last thing I desire. But it’s not just my life anymore, and if I mean to do this, it is time I accept that.
“I will attend,” Marcus sighed, just as James started to find calm; somehow, he seemed to understand what was being spoken about, just as he agreed with its rationale. “But I will not do so with an eye toward courtship. Looking is all I will do. Getting a sense, as you put it.”
Honoria breathed a sigh of relief. “This is a good thing, Marcus. In time, you will come to see it.”
To that, Marcus said nothing.
Pride kept him quiet, because he hated admitting when his sister was correct. Deep down, however, he accepted the truth of her words. Marcus had no desire to wed, but he had made a promise to a friend, and he intended to keep that promise… no matter the cost.
