“I care nothing for anyone’s wishes but yours. Certainly not my parents’ desire to duplicate their own unhappy marriage.”
“You must marry someone young enough to provide an heir and I turn thirty in a few weeks. Too old by far.” She held her breath, heart contracting, waiting for him to acknowledge the truth of this and realize that he must not marry her, no matter his feelings.
He grasped her other hand. “I cannot agree. That is just an argument for a wedding without delay. Besides, you are young enough. I see many ladies well in their thirties still producing children.” His intent gaze scanned her face as if through his sheer will he could convince her of the truth of his words.
She was the elder, she must be the voice of reason, no matter how much she wanted to accept his argument. “You must admit that there will be fewer chances for a son though, should we be blessed first with daughters?”
“I will not let the chance of that sway me from marrying the only woman who can make me happy.” His tone was implacable.
Warmth flooded Violet’s body. How passionate and steadfast he was in his path. He loved her and wanted to marry her—maybe they could have a future together after all. A heavy weight lifted from her.
Before Violet could answer him, the church bells chimed a last urgent peel summoning everyone into the church. They must hurry inside.
“May I sit with you during the service and escort you home afterwards, Violet?” he said. “I have something to ask you.”
She would like nothing better. In fact, she craved it. “I would like that very much.”
He led her inside. They halted beside the front row, but instead of sitting in his family’s pew, he nodded a greeting to them and took the place beside Violet in the pew opposite, where she usually sat alone. The attractive debutant who had opened the dancing at last night’s ball pasted a winsome look on her face and fluttered her eyelashes towards Sebastian. Other matrimonial candidates and their parents were arrayed behind.
Sebastian returned a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
The service began and Violet was soon engrossed.
After the notes of the last hymn floated away, Reverend Hambleton concluded the service with a few community messages. He was about to dismiss the congregation when Sebastian’s mother rose from her seat beyond the aisle.
“There is one more announcement that needs to be made, Reverend Hambleton.”
“Indeed, Lady Whitton? Please go ahead,” he responded, with a look of curiosity.
“I have the pleasure to announce the engagement of our son, Lord Stanworth, to the Honorable Miss Letitia Bromley.”
A hubbub of voices arose in response from the congregation. Pain ripped through Violet’s heart. His what? Tears pricked her eyes as she turned to Sebastian.
He couldn’t have lied to her? Led her on for another dare?
Sebastian’s mouth snapped closed. His face flushed brick red. He began to rise from his seat, but sat down again, his icy gaze set hard on his mother.
“Sebastian?” Violet hissed.
His attention returned to her. “It’s. Not. True.” One hand sliced the air between them. “I promise you. I have not proposed to that girl.”
“You did not need to. How can you retract such a public statement of intent and not be sued for breach of promise?”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I must speak with my parents. I will talk with you later this afternoon.”
“No need,” she murmured, heart breaking. “Your parents have finally trapped you, as they always intended. I suspect the blatant display of your affections last night and this morning have led to this desperate means of forcing you to accede to their wishes. They will never accept me as your wife.”
“I’m not giving in. I will not marry that woman or anyone else but you.” He placed her hand in the crook of his arm. “Let me walk you home.”
Violet glanced behind them to see the curious gazes of half the congregation upon them. She gestured over his shoulder. “I think there are many people waiting to congratulate you.”
“They can wait until there is something for them to congratulate me about,” he growled.
She fought back the tears looming in her eyes. Her daydream for the future with Sebastian would never come true now. He would be swept up in the web of his parents’ plans for him. “They will never let you marry me.”
Sebastian’s mouth flattened. “Oh yes, they will.”
“How?” she breathed.
