With a brisk nod, Aunt Hester said, “Good, I’m glad we have been able to come to an agreement.”
Lauren understood her situation completely now, and her future stretched clearly before her. There was nothing more she could say to her aunt to change her mind... but perhaps she could appeal to her uncles’ goodwill? Although she feared their response.
Their carriage drew up before Uncle Augustus’s town house, and a liveried footman pulled down the step. Her aunt moved to exit first.
“If you wouldn’t mind, Aunt, after all the excitement of this morning’s fitting, I will take luncheon in my room.” She massaged her temples. “I have a fearful headache and would like to rest this afternoon.”
She must have sounded genuine, because her aunt gave a nod of approval and lifted Charlie from the seat. “Yes, of course. The next few days will be busy with preparations for your wedding. You must appear at your best. We don’t want anyone saying you look anything but a happy bride.”
Of course not, appearances are so much more important to you than my feelings about the marriage. Lauren gave the weak smile of someone with a nagging headache. “Thank you, Aunt.”
Once in the house, Lauren trailed Aunt Hester up the marble grand staircase. Not a twig of Christmas greenery softened the elegant but stark décor of her uncle’s house.
As they approached the sitting room opposite the top of the staircase, its double doors opened to reveal Lauren’s uncles, Augustus and Lionel—her father’s older brothers.
“There you are, my love,” Aunt Hester greeted her husband, a tubby middle-aged man with hard eyes, a grim mouth, and too-long hair brushed forward over his balding pate. She dipped her chin to Lionel. “Good morning, brother.”
Younger than Augustus by a couple of years, Lionel’s softer features and full head of hair gave him a kindly look, diminished somewhat by his bulbous, drink-ravaged nose.
Her courage lapsing, Lauren turned left to head upstairs to her room, to avoid an interview with her guardians.
“Come here, Lauren, and explain to your uncles why you don’t think you can marry Lulworth.” Her aunt’s command halted her.
“What?” Uncle Augustus’s response shot out like the crack of a pistol.
Uncle Lionel looked at her and shook his head. “Just nerves, I’m sure. Perfectly understandable—”
“Come inside and explain yourself, girl,” Uncle Augustus demanded.
A shudder ran down Lauren’s spine. Finding her husband unexpectedly home, Aunt Hester wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to make Lauren account for herself. She took three unsteady steps into the room.
Her aunt closed the doors behind her.
Lauren swallowed against her constricted throat. She didn’t want to face interrogation by the three of them. She just wanted to go to her room and think.
“Hurry up, girl. Explain yourself!” Uncle Augustus snapped.
Lauren took a deep breath. “I... I encountered Lulworth with his mistress at Madame Lemaire’s,” she said with her gaze fixed on the floor. “He spoke to me with such contempt. I do not wish to marry him. I could never be happy with such a man.”
Uncle Augustus’s bark of laughter sent a flinch across her shoulders. She glanced up to see Uncle Lionel looking vaguely distressed. Her aunt smirked.
“Is that all?” Uncle Augustus demanded. “I’d be mighty surprised if he didn’t have a mistress. As you should be, young lady. This is no time for missish behavior! Most gentlemen have mistresses at some time or other. Ladies turn the other cheek and overlook such things. You will have to learn that lesson.”
“But Uncle, he was so very rude to me. He doesn’t care about me at all.” Why don’t you care about my future happiness? Why do I mean so little to you?
“He cares enough to marry you. To make you the mother of his heirs. That’s all you need to worry about!” The brick-red tint of his face warned her not to provoke his temper any further if she didn’t want to bear the consequences she had heard meted out to his servants.
He cares precisely enough to marry me for my dowry, more like. Lauren closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to flow.
Uncle Lionel strode over to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Lauren tensed. In a soft voice he said, “My dear gel, marriage to Lulworth is a great honor. You will have all that wealth can provide—beautiful clothes, ample pin money, and access to high society. What more could you want?”
Lauren choked on a sob. “I want a happy home and a loving husband. Is that too much to ask?”
“Don’t be impertinent!” Uncle Augustus roared.
Her aunt snorted a laugh, a satisfied twinkle in her eye.
Uncle Lionel patted Lauren’s shoulder. “There, there. The contracts are signed. All is organized for your wedding. It must go ahead, my dear. Withdrawal now would mar our family’s name. It cannot happen. Think of all the wonderful positives of this match and forget your husband’s infidelities. That is your duty.” His calculating eyes belied his smiling face.
