She answered his compliment with a grin. “I added some cinnamon to the root vegetables in the oven. Together with the roast meat and other spices and herbs, it creates both an aromatic scent and flavor.”
“I can’t wait to taste it,” Griffin told her honestly as he dropped into one of the chairs, stretched out his legs and tore the seal of his letter.
“And so you shall very soon. Dinner ought to be ready within ten minutes.” She turned away from him slightly and gave her attention to the letter she’d just received. Griffin could tell by Miss Howard’s stance and by her hesitation to tear it open that she was reluctant to learn of its contents.
So he decided to offer her privacy and returned his attention to his own correspondence. Unfolding the piece of paper, Griffin stared down at Caleb’s bold script as it came into view. There were only a few brief lines, but they were enough to make Caleb’s muscles draw tight with agitated concern.
Griffin,
I trust that you and Miss Howard have arrived safely at Clearview. As commendable as your escort of her may be, however, I must point out that it is not without consequence. Having discussed the matter with her parents, we have concluded that the only way forward is for the two of you to marry. Any other solution would risk a permanent blemish on not only her reputation, but that of her unmarried sister as well. With this in mind, I have proposed a house party at Montvale, commencing on the seventeenth. Marrying there will ensure the privacy I’m sure you prefer.
I offer my sincerest apologies if this news is not to your liking and look forward to seeing you soon.
Caleb.
Griffin re-readthe letter twice before letting it fall to the table. He glanced across at Miss Howard whose shoulders now held a stiffness to them that suggested her letter was equally unpleasant.
Seeing no point in hiding the contents of his own letter, he told her plainly, “My brother says we must marry.”
Startled, she let out a gasp and spun toward him. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted as if it surprised her to find him there. She blinked and considered the piece of paper still clutched in her hand before setting it aside on the counter. Inhaling deeply, she then began taking the roast off the spit and removing the vegetables from the oven.
Griffin watched her stiff movements and considered the sharpness with which she sliced the meat a few minutes later. Her lips were now pressed firmly together, her chest rising and falling as if it took immense effort for her to contain her emotions. Eyes flashing, she scooped the vegetables into a bowl and set it down hard on the table. Her hands went to her hips as she glared at him with undeniable anger.
“My parents insist on the same.” She spun away, collected the serving dish holding the meat and placed it in front of Griffin before sitting down with a jolt. “We must explain to them how unnecessary it would be. You…” She pointed her finger at him as if he were to blame for the current mess they were in. “You must return to London and talk some sense into your brother. Explain to him that I haven’t been compromised, that we have taken precautions, and that there’s no reason for anyone to find fault with your staying here with me. For God’s sake, I have been living separate from my parents for several years. To think that my reputation could possibly be so easily endangered at this point is nothing short of silly.”
“I believe my brother and your parents disagree,” Griffin muttered. He stared back at her, at her horrified expression and the stubborn set of her jaw. She would fight this. Of that he had no doubt. And for some peculiar reason, this bothered him more than he cared to consider. “If you recall, I also warned you it would come to this.”
Her mouth dropped open. “But it is preposterous!” She shook her head and proceeded to serve him, the rising mountain of food on his plate a testament to her scattered thoughts. When no additional vegetables would fit, she sat back and blew out a breath. “I would understand it if I were a debutante or if all of London had witnessed our kiss, but since neither is the case, I simply refuse to accept a solution as drastic as marriage.”
Griffin nodded. “I must confess I agree.” Slowly, he returned some of the vegetables to the bowl and two slices of meat to the serving dish.
“Of course you do,” Miss Howard said with a burst of emotion. “You must return to Vienna. Getting married and staying in England would hardly work in your favor.” Her brow puckered as she started serving herself. “Perhaps you ought to leave directly from here.”
Her comment caused Griffin to sit up straighter, his fork halting en route to his mouth. He set it back down while battling the sharp stab of protest attacking his chest. “As we previously discussed, leaving you alone without any protection is not an option.”
“But—”
“I am staying,” he clipped, not caring that his comment made her glare at him like a petulant child reprimanded by a parent. Softening his tone slightly, he added, “Caleb will host a house party at his estate in Dorset on the seventeenth.”
“Yes, I know. My mother mentioned it in her letter.”
“Right.” He gave her a firm look. “When it is time to depart for Montvale Manor, I shall escort you.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“Trust me when I tell you that I have never been more so.”
She gave a carrot an angry stab with her fork. “If we go to Montvale together, avoiding marriage will become even more difficult.” A heavy sigh escaped her and she suddenly slumped back against her chair. “Why run toward something that neither of us wants?”
The stabbing sensation in Griffin’s chest deepened. “Because running away isn’t the answer. The choices we have made these last few days are not as insignificant as you would like to make them, Miss Howard. We owe it to ourselves and to our families to act accordingly, which means we must face the repercussions with dignity.”
“So you would destroy your life, for what? A momentary lapse in judgment?”
He winced and proceeded to eat a few bites of food before saying, “Rest assured I will do what I can to convince everyone that marriage would be an unnecessary recourse.” For reasons he could not explain, her aversion bothered him more than he was comfortable with. Troubled, the only solution was to agree that he was equally opposed to the idea of marriage. After all, they did not know each other particularly well. But the attraction he’d felt toward her the moment they’d met had been steadilly growing.
It was the reason he’d followed her out into the garden, the reason he’d stopped her from spending more time alone with Mr. Bale, and the reason he’d so readily kissed her. Only to realize that he was in serious danger of doing a whole lot more.
It was also the reason he’d chased after her to the inn, the reason he’d escorted her all this way, and the reason he could not seem to leave, even though staying did not serve his purpose in any way. If anything, it threatened to disrupt his business and… He took a quick sip of his wine. How foolish he was being when it was clear she wanted him gone.
