David winced. “Is she suffering any lingering ill-effects?”
Marianne shrugged. “She seemed right as rain when she was leaving this morning. In fact, she seemed pleased with the turn of events.”
“Pleased?” David frowned. Was Lady Elspeth such a gossip that she was pleased to have stumbled upon a scandal?
Marianne nodded. “Yes, she was nearly giddy when she told Lord Murdock what she’d seen.”
David groaned.
“Speaking of Lord Murdock,” Marianne continued, “at least you saved Annabelle from that awful man. He left here ranting about how unstable women are. Until Lady Elspeth calmed him down.”
“I’m not sure Annabelle would characterize what I did as ‘saving’ her,” he replied.
“Honestly, I love you both, and I don’t want to see either one of you do something you’ll regret.” Marianne leaned over and squeezed David’s shoulder. “Just please promise me you’ll remember what Mama said.”
“Marry for love and you’ll never regret it,” David breathed. Why did she have to remind him about theirmotherat a time like this? He scratched his chin again and contemplated the words. Love? He loved Annabelle. He knew it. That was the funny feeling that spread through his middle every time she was near. He certainly was missing it now. But it didn’t matter that he loved her. The problem was, she didn’t lovehim.
“I’m not certain Mama’s words are true any longer,” David added with a sigh.
“Whyever not?” Marianne asked, scrunching her brow.
David couldn’t bring himself to tell his sister that he’d ruined Annabelle’s life. That she’d never intended to marry anyone. That wasn’t his secret to tell.
After Marianne left, David leaned back in his chair and expelled a deep breath. He’d really gone and done it this time, hadn’t he? He was entirely to blame for last night. He’d arrived at Annabelle’s doorstep foxed and demanding answers from her again, like the arse he was. He never should have gone to her bedchamber last night and now he was about to ruin her life with his ill-mannered, cloddish behavior. The truth was, he didn’t deserve a woman as fine as Annabelle and he wouldn’t blame her if she hated him forever.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Apparently, one of the advantages of being a nobleman was the ability to procure a special marriage license from the archbishop of Canterbury. In fact, Worthington sent for it immediately and it arrived not a day later by special messenger. An excruciating day in which David remained in his bedchamber while the rest of the wedding guests (save for Lady Angelina and Annabelle) packed up and left, all with the story of how Lady Annabelle Bellham was finally brought to the altar by gossip, of all sordid things.
According to Marianne, Lord Murdock had left in a raging fit, Lady Angelina was beside herself with glee, and Annabelle was holed up in her own bedchamber not speaking to anyone.
David couldn’t stand it any longer. He refused to marry Annabelle without at least speaking to her first. The many notes he’d sent to her room via footmen went unanswered until he finally marched over and knocked on her door. The damage was already done. It wasn’t as if he could ruin her reputationagain.
Lady Angelina answered the door on the first knock. When she saw the look on David’s face, she turned to Annabelle and said, “I think I’ll just go for a walk around Lord Worthington’s gardens.”
“No, Mama. Wait!” Annabelle called.
But it was too late. The older lady took off down the corridor before Annabelle had a chance to say another word.
David watched her go, surprised by her speed. He shook his head and stepped into Annabelle’s room. He was thankful for the privacy, but careful to leave the door open for propriety’s sake…not that it mattered any longer.
Annabelle was standing near the fireplace, wearing a pink gown. Her clothing and her hair looked simple and sweet, but her face wore a thunderous expression.
“You didn’t answer any of my notes,” he said, immediately wanting to kick himself for saying something so obvious. Why did he always say obvious things in front of her?
“I didn’t want to speak with you,” she clipped.
He had to smile.Thatwas obvious too. “I’m certain your mother has told you, but Lord Worthington has procured a special license for us to marry. The vicar is coming in the morning.”
“Yes, Mama told me.” Her voice was devoid of emotion.
“And?” he prompted.
“And what?” She flashed him an inscrutable look.
“Do you intend to go through with it? Do you intend to marry me?” Anxiety tinged his voice.
Annabelle laughed a humorless laugh. “You ask as if I have a choice in the matter.”
