Page 40 of Miss Devon’s Choice

Christian considered her for a moment, taking in the worried look in her eyes. “But you are concerned, are you not?”

She sighed, her shoulders falling slightly. “My sisters are both very protective of me. I have always been the one who needed to be looked after. You are not a man they know or understand, so there is some wariness there.”

“She said the nature of the agreement between me and your father upset her.” Christian focused on the table in front of them instead of on her, almost reluctant to speak. “I must admit, I’ve never met the man. My grandfather handled all the arrangements.”

“He did?” Rebecca sounded surprised. “Isn’t that unusual?”

“He promised he would adhere to my wishes.” Christian’s grandfather controlled every aspect of his life, and it had not seemed like a terrible idea to give over this facet as well. What did he care of courtship? It was best if he didn’t have the choice, best if his opinion was left out of it entirely. His grandfather knew what would and would not be accepted by the ton, and he’d chosen Rebecca.

Really, coming to this house party to quell the wagging tongues in London hadn’t been a good idea. It left Christian no choice but to get to know his prospective bride and her family. He shouldn’t even be in her company longer than necessary. He ought to be at a table with the lords, discussing politics, forming connections. He was only supposed to appear like he’d come for Rebecca.

And he needed some distance between them. Quickly. For the sake of his own clarity.

“If you will excuse me, Miss Devon.” He bowed and stepped away, determined to put himself back on course. It had been unexpected, to feel the pull between them, to find himself actually wishing to know her better. Perhaps it was dangerous, too.

“Of course,” she said, her eyebrows furrowed.

He was letting his emotions rule him. And that would not do.

Christian avoided Rebecca for the rest of the evening. He caught a glimpse of her from time to time and noted when Mrs. Gilbert came back into the room to hover at Rebecca’s elbow. But he stayed away from them both.

It was time to write a different sort of letter to his grandfather, and he intended to see it done that very night.

Rebecca Devon was the very sort of young woman a man could fall deeply in love with. As that was the last thing Christian wanted, perhaps it would be best to explore other options. For both their sakes.

Chapter Fourteen

Miss Devon’s character and conduct is not what either of us expected. While I will not cast any disparaging remarks against her, I must ask you to determine if there is a way to change our arrangement with the family. An alliance with the Devons will hardly benefit the Ivyford name or our position in society. I will continue at the Annesbury house party while I await your suggestion on how to proceed.

Christian had spent more time writing and rewriting the letter to his grandfather than he had sleeping. It was difficult to word his request in such a way that made it clear he had no wish to damage Rebecca’s reputation, but found the match between them unsuitable. And he couldn’t exactly tell his grandfather he could no longer agree to the marriage because Rebecca Devon confused him.

He slept late the next day and awoke with renewed determination to send the letter. It was for the best, for both of them. Perhaps they could quiet the rumors in London, find a way to imply there had never been any engagement, only rumors. Rebecca had the support of the Earl of Annesbury. And these things happened all the time, didn’t they?

Rebecca could go away for a time. Perhaps he would too. The gossip would die down, and they could move on with their lives.

Except Christian knew that while the ton was fickle, it had a collective memory stretching back decades.

Between the Earl of Ivyford and the Earl of Annesbury, and Rebecca’s wealthy father, we can find a way out of this.

He posted the letter, telling himself it was for the best. It would grant him piece of mind and protect his heart. It would give her the opportunity to try to find another, a man who would enjoy her attention and affections.

Rebecca had a very kind heart and a determined nature. She would not be wounded by his decision. Not for long.

Christian gritted his teeth, determined to see his decision through. As testimony of such, he made it a point to avoid Rebecca by taking dinner in his room that evening.

Chapter Fifteen

Although her cousin had advised her to leave Christian to himself for a time, Rebecca decided a full day of his neglect was more than enough. After the card party, Christian had done his best to avoid her the next day and taken himself to the village by the end of it. While she might understand him being upset at her sister’s inordinate rudeness, Rebecca couldn’t allow him to withdraw any further from her.

At first, she’d thought she must be imagining things, as she didn’t expect to see him at breakfast. He rose early and exercised his dog. But she’d gone searching for him, saw him at a distance, but when she called and waved he didn’t turn. Then she came upon him in a hallway, but he immediately turned on his heel and went in the opposite direction. When he did not show himself for dinner, but excused himself to the party through a messenger, claiming he had business in the village.

What sort of business could a man of his rank, from a different county, possibly have in their little hamlet?

She’d had success, or at least the beginnings of success, in drawing him out the day of the picnic. Up until the moment she tried to talk to him of more personal matters in the boathouse.

It’s best not to dwell on that unfortunate lack of achievement.

The second morning after the card party also began without sight of him. Rebecca had joined the other young people for lawn games, with the children present too. She’d tried to enjoy herself, bowling with Phillip and Edward. Both boys had grown remarkably over the past year and she’d taken the time to admire their skill with all the importance young children needed on such matters.