“It’s nothing for you to be sorry about.” Her voice was sharper than she’d meant it to be.
“But still, I… never thought about how it must have been for you. How… difficult.” He took a deep breath. “Youwantto marry, then? Not because it’s expected of you?” Confusion lay heavy in his voice.
Thatwas a surprising question. “Yes, of course. You don’t?”
A few silent moments ticked by. “I’ve tried to think about it as little as possible. The truth is, I’ve never considered before that it might actually be a choice someone made, not for duty or family, but actual desire. That’s a novel concept to me.”
Meg pushed her slipper along the floor. “I know,” she whispered softly.
“How do you know?”
“I mean…” Meg’s voice faltered. Why in the world had she blurted that out? Confound it. “Sarah and I have spoken about you, about your lack of desire to marry.”
“You have?”
“Yes, you know, ladies talk.” She did her best to sound nonchalant. Of late, however, that nonchalance did not come as easily as it once had.
“You and Sarah have spoken about me? I suppose it stands to reason.” He was silent for a bit while Meg decided that she should remain quiet because she was obviously saying idiotic things here in the dark.
“Whydo you want to marry?” Hart’s words sliced through the darkness like a sharp knife through a fresh teacake.
Meg laughed again. His evergreen scent continued to fill the space, along with the tang of silver polish. She wished she could move away from his scent. All it did was make her want to… touch him. “What do you mean, why?”
“I’m quite serious,” he said. “Why do you wish to marry? For your family’s sake?”
“Not at all. I wish to marry because I want a husband and children and… love.”
“Love? Are you serious?” A scoffing laugh followed.“Blast. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud. Pardon my language.”
“Of course I’m serious. Haven’t you ever wanted those things?”
Another moment of silence. “I’ve always known I must marry, but I cannot say I’ve wanted it. I’m resigned to the fact that it must happen. To secure the lineage.”
Meg took a deep breath. She anticipated and dreaded his answer to her next question. “And you’re… finally ready now?”
“Did Sarah tell you?”
“She mentioned it. And then there’s the fact that I’ve never seen you pay anyone as much attention as you’re paying Lady Eugenia.”
“You’ve noticed whom I’ve paid attention to?”
“No. I…” Drat. Honesty was the best policy. “Very well. I suppose I have. Ladies tend to notice these things.”
“Yes,” he replied. “I’ve decided it’s time.”
She was quiet for several seconds. “Lady Eugenia is to be the lucky bride?” Confound it. Why did her voice have to shake?
“It would appear so.”
At least he hadn’t been able to manage enough enthusiasm to simply say yes. Wasn’tthatgrasping at optimism?
“I almost married when I was younger.” His voice took on a hard edge.
“I remember.”
“You remember Annabelle?”
“Yes,” Meg replied. “Why didn’t you marry her?” The darkness was making her bold. She’d never summoned the courage to ask such a thing before.
