Page 22 of The Mistletoe Duke

In a good way, of course. In a matrimonial way.

But Jonathan couldn’t still the unease in his belly or silence the howling of his soul at the thought of Meg choosing one of them. Marrying one of them.

Because then he’d have to pretend to be happy for them.

And that was a terrible prospect.

* * *

Something strange and wonderful happened the next day.

Meg fully expected to be awakened early by Beth, the chamber maid. She fully expected to spend the day helping the dowager with last-minute disasters and preparations for their guests.

But no one came to wake her up.

When she finally roused, the sun was high in the sky and Susana was sitting in the chair by the window sipping tea. She shot Meg a brilliant smile.

“Oh dear.” Meg swiped the hair from her eyes. “I’ve overslept.”

Susana laughed, a glorious tinkle. “You deserved it. Besides, Mother wants you to be fresh for tonight.”

“Tonight?” she parroted, though she knew the itinerary quite well. Tonight was the welcome party. For the guests. Of which she was now one, apparently.

“The guests have already started arriving,” Susana said. For some reason there was a frown on her beautiful face.

“Have they?”

“Yes.” A snort.

“Susana, darling, whatever is wrong?” Meg knew she should rise from the bed, but it was so warm and comfortable, she just nestled deeper into the down.

“It’s them.”

“Them?”

“The women Mother has invited. I can only assume they are for Jonathan, but seriously, Cicely Peck?”

Yes, Cicely Peck had been on the list of invitations Meg had written. “Do you not like Cicely Peck?”

“Oh, she’s all right, I suppose. But not the sort I want as a sister-in-law.”

“One cannot always choose one’s in-laws.”

“How true that is. But Cicely?”

“Tell me about her.” Cicely hadn’t been around during Meg’s season. She’d probably still been in leading strings then.

“Well, she’s beautiful.”

Lovely. Meg set her hand to her stomach, which, for some reason, had begun to churn.

“And she’s from a good family.”

“Yes. The Pecks.”

“But she’s…”

“What?”