Selecting a vacant armchair, he sank down heavily onto the seat. “I have only myself to blame for what happened. And Lady Abigail, of course.” He gnashed his teeth just thinking about that awful woman.
“You mustn’t judge her too quickly,” Bethany said. “In fact, I think you’ll find the two of you suit rather well.”
James gave his sister-in-law a glare, which earned him a stern look of condemnation from Charles. “I beg your pardon but have you actually met her?”
“On occasion.” When James continued to stare at her, Bethany added, “The Marquess and Marchioness of Foxborough have always been close friends of my parents’, so I met Abigail often while growing up, though I must confess it’s probably three years since I saw her last.”
James wasn’t surprised. Bethany had been away in America before marrying Charles and since then she’d been busy producing children. With her third one currently on the way, she hadn’t attended a social event in at least two months.
“People have been known to change,” James pointed out.
Bethany frowned. “Perhaps. But considering the gentle girl with an easy smile and pleasant disposition whom I recall, I cannot quite picture her as the arrogant, sour-faced woman you claim her to be.”
“Perhaps you managed to offend her,” Charles suggested.
James stared at his brother. “Ioffendher?”
“Athena did say you were a bore the entire evening.”
James blinked. “It’s barely noon. When on earth did you speak with Athena?”
“She stopped by for breakfast to tell us of your engagement,” Bethany said. “And according to her, you were not as polite as you should have been when you were introduced to Abigail. In fact, she said you were downright rude, which might explain her stiff response to you and...” She sighed.
“Are you suggesting I am to blame for the way she behaved?” James asked. “Even though she was scowling at me before I said one word to her?”
Bethany pursed her lips. “All I am trying to say is that the two of you clearly got off to a poor start.”
He leveled his sister-in-law a steady gaze. “And then shesaton me.”
“The room was, as I understand it, dark at the time,” Bethany said as if trying to visualize what and how the events leading up to James’s engagement might have transpired.
“Not so dark that she could not find her way to the sofa,” James grumbled. “The fact she did not notice a large shape filling it is mind boggling to say the least.”
“As mind boggling as your button tearing her gown?” Charles asked with a smirk.
“That was—” James stopped, paused for a moment, and finally blew out a lengthy breath. “Very well. I will agree Lady Abigail and I share the blame for what happened in that room last night.” She more than he, he told himself privately, but nonetheless.
“An excellent observation, dear brother,” Charles said.
“But that still doesn't mean I like her,” James said before Charles started thinking he might be willing to accept what had happened.
“Perhaps you should try to,” Bethany suggested. “After all, you will have to live together.”
“Not necessarily,” James informed her.
Charles snorted. “You can't remain here and you aren't moving in with us either. And besides, Papa is sacrificing Arlington House just so you and your lovely bride can have a magnificent home of your own. After everything, Idare say he'd take you outside and shoot you himself if you turn your back on that.”
James grimaced. “You're right of course. I just—”
“Wish you'd had more say in your own future?”
“Precisely!”
Neither Charles nor Bethany responded to that pronouncement, for which James was grateful. In truth, he felt they’d been churning the matter for too long already. Now it was time to act, and if he were being honest, Bethany’s suggestion that he try to make the most of things wasn’t the worst. In fact, he’d be less unhappy about all of this if he and Lady Abigail could at least find some way in which to get along. Just enough to make the wedding tolerable.
With this in mind, he stood. “I’m heading out,” he said.
Charles straightened and gave his wife a quick glance before asking, “Where to?”
