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That was one party she truly did not wish to attend.

“It is wonderful to be back,” he responded, smiling down at her. “I assume you’ve been keeping to your routine in my absence.”

“Of course,” she said. As much as possible, anyway.

He placed his hat on his head. “Excellent. I do know how happy it makes you.”

She looked away. Keeping to her routine usually did make her happy. She’d discovered long ago it was the best way to cope with her life. If only Father could understand that that was her reasoning behind creating the schedule in the first place.

“Now,” he said, glancing up to the empty stairs, “before your mother and sister join us, I have some exciting news to share.” She leaned in as he motioned her forward. “I do believe I have finally found a gentleman your sister will marry.”

For a brief instant, Marianne’s heart lifted. Could it be true? Or would this be yet another failed attempt at the Coventrys’ efforts to help Beatrice find love?

“He is the second cousin of Lord Ryecombe,” Father said. “I met him at the cricket match but was unsure of his merits. After meeting with him again in Bath—that was my business for my most recent trip, you see—I am convinced he will be perfect for her. Can you imagine? Your sister, related to a lord? Our family related to an earl?”

Marianne forced a smile. Father had been enthusiastic once at the prospect of his eldest daughter being married off to a very distant relation of a baron. But these things never worked out.

“You do not seem excited, my dear,” Father said. “What is the matter?”

Marianne shook her head. “Nothing. I am excited.”

He frowned, obviously catching the hesitance in her tone. “Surely you must remember that you will benefit more than anyone with your sister finally marrying.”

Didn’t she know it.

He reached for her hand, placing a soft kiss to the back of it. “You have been unendingly patient throughout all of this, my dear. But you shall one day have the attention you deserve.”

Marianne looked away. She didn’t wish for all the attention. Heavens, she didn’t need any attention. She only wanted to be free of her schedule, of Daffley Park, of not speaking to whom she wanted to speak.

“We must simply remember,” Father continued, “following Society’s rules benefits us all. We wouldn’t wish for the upper class to look down upon us because we started beneath them, would we?”

Marianne shook her head, but only because she did not agree with Father’s shame over his past. Making a name for oneself was anything but shameful.

Still, she held her tongue. Father felt as strongly about proving himself to the upper class as she felt about wanting to be in Society.

“I will continue to be patient, Father,” she finally said.

He gave her hand a squeeze then released it. “That is my sweet, obedient Marianne. Always doing the best for her and her family.”

The words skittered up her spine like a spider. She was obedient. She was always obedient. If that was what was best for her and her family, then why was she so miserable?

“Will Beatrice truly choose this man, then?” she asked, desperate for even an ounce of hope to cling to.

“We shall see soon enough.” He leaned in closer, his eyebrows raised conspiratorially. “I’ve managed to secure him an invitation to the Abbotts’ party this evening.”

She struggled to push her grin wider. “Then I look forward to a full report when you return.”

Footsteps sounded on the stairs above as Mother and Beatrice appeared.

“I will be sure to keep you informed,” he whispered with a wink. Then he turned to his wife and eldest daughter. “There you are. Come, we mustn’t be late.”

“Yes, we mustn’t upset the Abbots,” Beatrice said.

Marianne thought perhaps Beatrice had said the words in a mocking tone, but her expression remained unchanged.

“You both look lovely this evening,” Marianne said.

Mother reached Marianne’s side and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, darling. I’ve instructed Cook to make an extra helping of sugar biscuits just for you tonight.”