Page 38
Marina felt foolish enough about the flower mistake without making a second misstep by reading into his gaze. Yet, there was an intensity there that made her stomach flutter and her heart quicken.
Indeed, she was beginning to wonder if she ought to begin researching the dangers of being looked at too intently, alongside the detrimental effects on the heart of having one’s hands held so tightly. She would probably also have to note the worrisome symptom of her heart literally skipping beats when Anthony had said, “Just keep your eyes on me.”
She was a woman of science and logic; she was meant to be above the silly butterflies and mild swoons of her peers. Why, she had never read a romantic novel that had not made her eyes roll and her insides cringe. So, what on earth was going on?
Anthony put her arm through his and began to lead her back up the aisle, his closeness inviting a fresh bout of strange and unfamiliar feelings. It was his strength and his height, she supposed, making her feel safe and protected. Ladylike.
“That was painless,” he said as they stepped out into the warm late morning, a few plump clouds scudding across a perfectly blue sky.
Marina managed a smile. “If that had been an amputation, the patient would be glad of it.”
“What?” He raised a quizzical eyebrow.
“Because it was painless,” she explained, flushing with faint embarrassment.
If he did not appreciate her peculiar sense of humor, it was going to be a very long month.
“Ah, I see.” He nodded. “Very amusing. Macabre, but amusing.”
Well, you might try laughing, she thought dismally.
Anthony ushered her toward the waiting carriage, his voice halting her on the steps. “I thought we would dispense with any festivities and go directly to Knotgill. You shall have a week to settle into the manor before William arrives.”
Any semblance of potential romance evaporated with the smack of reality. Not that she wanted romance, of course, for that would be both a distraction and not what had been agreed upon, and she was not about to jeopardize her future of studying on a girlish, fleeting thought.
You are wiser than that, Marina!
“A week?” she said, furrowing her brow. “Is it not ordinarily a month?”
He smiled tightly. “We hardly need a month alone, Marina, considering the nature of our union. A week will be plenty. I have things to attend to, and I am certain that you have much to arrange.”
“Yes,” she replied a note too quickly. “Yes, of course I do. My work is of the utmost importance.”
His smile relaxed. “I am glad we agree.”
“But… I have not yet bid my uncle farewell,” she urged, pushing past Anthony, away from the open carriage door.
She would have been lying to herself if she had said she was not slightly disappointed that there would be no wedding breakfast. Then again, did she really want the pressure of having to make conversation with so many people? Clearly, her husband had done her a favor.
Husband… Husband… The word felt foreign in her mind.
“I should bid farewell to your grandmother and William, too,” she added. “And I do not want to forget my flowers.”
Anthony puffed out a breath. “Hurry along, then.”
Eager to steady her thoughts and gather her courage for what lay ahead, she took the opportunity and darted back into the church to say a temporary goodbye to the family of her past and the family of her future. The three people who might just make this marriage feel less like a mistake in judgment, and more like a blessing in disguise.
“There it is, Marina,” Anthony announced, his mouth still getting used to the shape of her name. “Knotgill House. Your new home.”
It had been a rather rocky journey from London to the countryside, the roads in disarray after a summer storm, and Marina appeared rather green from all the jostling.
“I know,” she said flatly.
He frowned at her, disappointed. “Do you not want to take a look? It is beautiful.”
“I have seen it before,” she reminded him. “I already know it is beautiful.”
“Ah yes, of course.” He turned his own gaze back to his manor, his entire body already feeling lighter at the sight of home.
