To his surprise, she looked at him then, and instead of seeming relieved, she narrowed her eyes at him. “This might impress my father, but it doesn’t impress me.”
He managed to avoid wincing. He’d been afraid she had assumed his interest in her stemmed from the fact that her father was the Duke of Hartwell. And he’d be lying if he told her that never had anything to do with it. It was why he had invited her to his dinner parties.
So instead of denying this, he figured honesty was the best policy. If he didn’t step up and admit things now, he wasn’t going to have any chance of building credibility with her.
“I will admit that in the beginning I showed an interest in you because I liked your father,” he finally said, weighing each word before he spoke. “He’s a likable gentleman, and there’s no denying his intelligence. However, since learning of our engagement and becoming aware of the way I treated you, I am making an effort to get to know you.”
“How pleasant,” she replied, not hiding the sarcasm in her voice. “Now you’re going to make an effort to get to know me.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. In the past I made it a habit of ignoring you. Unrightfully so. I never took the time to get to know you. I want to change that.”
“This must pain someone like you to put on the pretense of liking me. Well, I won’t tolerate you being nice to me just because you idolize my father.” She stood up and looked down at him. “There’s no sense in putting yourself through all this effort. It’s not necessary. I’m bound to marry you whether I like it or not. If I don’t want to attend a dinner party, I won’t. You can tell people I’m ill if you want, but I won’t put myself in another situation like the one I endured last night. Allow me this one favor without grief, and perhaps we might be able to tolerate each other.”
His eyebrows furrowed. Just how should he respond to that? If he tried to explain what he meant by making an effort to get to know her, she’d probably take it the wrong way. Well, there was no “probably” about it. She would take it the wrong way. And that being the case, he was better off avoiding the topic.
So in the end, he settled for saying, “I won’t force you to go anywhere that makes you uncomfortable.”
At this, she seemed to relent, albeit slightly. With another glance at the clock, she said, “Your five minutes are up. I believe you know the way out.”
She left, giving him no time to respond. Not that he was surprised. She’d been watching the clock the entire time. But maybe, just maybe, he’d been able to say something that helped put her mind at ease about the upcoming marriage. If that was the case, then the five minutes would have been productive ones. He had, after all, secured business dealings within that time. And wasn’t marriage a business arrangement in its own right?
He released his breath. Well, there was nothing else he could do at the moment. He’d have more time to talk to her after they married. Until then, he figured the best thing he could do was leave her alone. Maybe some time away from him would help her adjust better to the marriage.
At least, he hoped so. He rose to his feet and went to thank her father for letting him talk to Iris before he left the townhouse.
***
The day of the wedding came, and Iris was no more prepared for it than she’d been when she learned she was to marry Warren. Despite her protests, her mother and father insisted she look as beautiful as possible for the morning ceremony in their townhouse. And worse, after all the ladies who had prettied her up left, her mother sorted through all the jewelry she’d set out on Iris’ vanity to complete Iris’ new look.
“I know this isn’t the kind of wedding you were hoping for,” her mother said. “But your father seems certain Warren will prove himself to be a worthy husband.”
Iris rolled her eyes, not the least bit shy about letting Melissa, who was with them, know exactly what she thought about this arrangement. Yes, Helena, Melissa, and Chloe had arranged this marriage, so Melissa assumed this was going to lead to good things further down the road. But they didn’t know Warren the way Iris did. He’d say and do anything to please her father.
And that little trick he pulled when she’d allowed him five minutes to talk to her had definitely pleased her father. “This is a good sign,” her father had told her. “He’s taking an interest in you.”
No, Warren wasn’t. She’d wanted to argue with her father, but what was the point? He was far too excited about the marriage to listen to reason.
Her mother came over to her with a necklace with a citrine gemstone on it. “This will match the golden color in your dress.”
She grimaced.
“Oh come now,” her mother soothed. “Your father has good judgment. If he thinks Warren will make a suitable match, then he will.”
Iris let out a heavy sigh and took it. “I’ll put it on, but it won’t influence what kind of marriage I’ll have.”
Her mother opened her mouth as if to protest, hesitated, then offered a reassuring smile. “I know. Necklaces don’t have magical properties. It won’t make Warren fall in love with you.”
“I don’t care if Warren falls in love with me or not,” Iris snapped. She stiffened, surprised she should use that kind of tone with her mother when her mother hadn’t been trying to hurt her. Clearing her throat, she said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.”
“I understand. Gentlemen have no idea how difficult it is for ladies when they marry. They get to decide so much of our futures for us. All we can do is watch while it happens.”
“May I intervene?” Melissa spoke up.
Iris and her mother glanced her way, and noting the caring expression in Melissa’s eyes, Iris indicated Melissa could intervene.
“I know how you feel,” Melissa told Iris. “I didn’t want to marry Lord Toplyn on my wedding day. In fact, I was in tears most of the time. I even wore black to protest the union.”
Iris’ mother gasped. “I heard about a lady who did that. Are you telling me that was you?”
Melissa let out a chuckle. “I haven’t heard of anyone else who’s done it, so yes, I think it was me. I believe the Tittletattle had it on the front page.”
“It did,” her mother said. “Don’t tell anyone, but I like to read the scandalsheets from time to time. It relaxes me.” She directed her gaze to Iris. “Don’t tell your father I said that.”
Iris felt a smile tug at her lips at her mother’s joke. But only a small one. She didn’t have enough enthusiasm to muster up any more than that.
“I think we’ve all read the Tittletattle at one time or another,” Melissa replied. “Though I don’t expect most will admit it.”
Iris didn’t care much for it herself, but that was probably one of the reasons why she was never as close to her mother as she was with her father.
“It’s also easier to read about scandal than to be the object of one,” Melissa added. “I think sometimes people read the Tittletattle to see if their names are in it. If not, they breathe a huge sigh of relief and go about their business.”
“Well, for what it’s worth,” Iris’ mother began, “I felt sorry for you when you had to marry Lord Toplyn. Just as I sympathize with Iris.”
“I sympathize with her, too.” Then Melissa turned her attention to Iris and continued, “When Warren came to see me, Helena, and Chloe, he didn’t give us much to go on as to what type of lady he was looking for. All he wanted was someone to give him an heir.”
“Something most titled gentlemen are concerned with,” Iris’ mother added.
“Yes, that’s true. And Warren was no different. However, after further questioning him, it became apparent he would like a lady who can hold her own. I don’t think he’s the type of gentleman who could be happy in a marriage with a lady who is blatantly feminine.”
Iris’s eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t see how that is a compliment.”
“It is,” Melissa assured her. “Oftentimes when people come to see us, they don’t know what they
want. They have a vague idea of what kind of person might make them happy, but what they need is for someone to ask the right questions to help pull out the truth for them. I don’t think you’ll be happy with a gentleman who only wants you on his arm in public. I think you’d like someone you can have heartfelt conversations with. Likewise, I think Warren will do better with a lady who has substance. He wouldn’t be happy with someone if she can’t manage a decent conversation with him, and I think you two share so many interests, you’re bound to find common ground, even if it’ll take a while.”
A while could be an abnormally long period of time. Like forever. But Iris decided not to say that. What was the point? Nothing they said would affect how things were going to be for her once she became Warren’s wife. Warren’s wife. Just the thought made her gag.
“Are you all right, dear?” her mother asked, placing her hand over Iris’ forehead. “You don’t feel hot.”
“I’m just sick to my stomach,” Iris mumbled.
Her mother’s eyes grew wide, and Iris could see the panic in her face. “Do you feel like you’re going to vomit? Should I bring over a bowl?”
“I’m not going to vomit,” Iris assured her. Her poor mother had a tendency to fuss over her far too much. Maybe it was because Iris was an only child. “This wedding is a difficult thing for me to stomach. That’s all.”
“No one can blame you for not feeling well,” Melissa said.
“No, they can’t,” her mother agreed. “I just hope your father’s right and that things won’t be as bad as you fear.”
A knock came at the door, signaling that the vicar was ready to preside over the wedding. Well, there was nothing Iris could do to avoid it. It was inevitable. The last thing she needed was for her father to pick her up and carry her to the drawing room.
She slipped the necklace on as her mother wished, but the gemstone felt like a heavy weight, only reinforcing her loss of the future she had wanted when she thought she might get to marry someone who actually cared for her.
Such silly fantasies. She should have known happy marriages were rare, especially among the noble class. Her chances of a love match had been next to nothing. Really, she couldn’t be surprised she had ended up with someone like Warren.
All the fight left her, and she resigned herself to her future. Pushing down the swell of nausea in her stomach, she turned to her mother and Melissa.
“I’m ready,” she said, her voice surprisingly calm, all things considered.
Her mother’s eyebrows furrowed in concern. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine,” she replied. “Let’s get this over with.” Then, without waiting for a response, she headed for the door.
Chapter Eleven
Warren didn’t think he’d ever forget the pleasure that surged through him when he saw Iris enter the drawing room. He hadn’t realized she hadn’t taken that much attention to making herself more attractive in the past. Today, however, she’d made the effort to look her best, and the change in her appearance was remarkable. He had no idea she could be so beautiful.
Why had she kept her beauty a secret? If she hadn’t, there would have been at least a couple gentlemen lining up to marry her, especially given the fact that her father was the Duke of Hartwell.
Anthony, who thankfully hadn’t brought his sister, glanced at Warren, eyebrows raised in surprise. Understanding Anthony was just as shocked as he was, Warren offered a shrug. How was anyone to know Iris could look that good?
Warren had invited Malcolm and Robert, but he hadn’t been sure either one would come. Well, Robert, he suspected might, but only because Iris’ friend, Bethany, wanted to be there. But both gentlemen made it to the small ceremony, which was a huge relief. Maybe this was a sign things weren’t as hopeless as he’d feared. He’d like to think there might be something he could say or do to redeem himself.
That matter, however, would have to wait. At least for the moment. Iris’ father was leading her over to him, and Warren’s heartbeat picked up in anticipation. He felt as if he had just invested in a business venture that hadn’t seemed very promising but had resulted in a large profit. Iris, he knew, wouldn’t be all that pleased by the comparison, but given his limited interaction with ladies, he had nothing else to compare this surprise to.
He and Anthony weren’t the only ones who were impressed by the change in Iris’ appearance. The others stared at her as if they weren’t sure she was the lady they had expected. Her mother seemed very pleased by the change, and Warren caught her whisper something to her friend that Iris had finally let her make her “prettier”. That comment struck Warren as odd. Why would the daughter of a wealthy duke not want to look as attractive as possible?
Once Iris was standing by him, Warren smiled, a poor attempt at a greeting. She didn’t respond in kind, but she didn’t glare at him, either. Though she might not have intended it, he took that as a promising sign. She was no longer fighting the union. Yes, he still had a ways to go, but at least this was a step in the right direction.
The ceremony proceeded with ease, though it was quite lengthy. He was sure by the end of it, everyone was eager to get to the wedding breakfast. At least, he knew he was. He should have grabbed something to eat before coming here, but he’d been too busy finishing with the details of getting things ready for Iris’ arrival.
So when they were all seated for the meal, he was relieved. He honestly wasn’t sure if she’d be willing to talk to him, even if they sat together, but as it turned out, her mother and Bethany talked to her. Because of this, it was impossible for him to even talk to Iris, even if she’d been willing to talk to him.
It was just as well. This way no one would see her openly reject him. It was enough she’d done it when he had dinner with her parents. He didn’t need everyone in the room to know how much she despised the marriage. So really, he was thankful she’d been as cordial as she’d been during the ceremony.
When the meal was over, Iris was still preoccupied with her mother and Bethany, so Warren took the opportunity to go to Robert and Malcolm before they left.
“I wanted to thank you both for coming,” he told them.
“I came because Bethany is Iris’ friend, and she wanted to be here to offer Iris comfort,” Robert replied.
“Yes, I had figured as much,” Warren allowed, “but I’m glad you still came.”
Warren took a deep breath. He was never good at expressing his emotions, but he had to try something. Up to now Robert and Malcolm had been the two best friends he’d ever had. Anthony was nice, too, but he felt a kinship with Robert and Malcolm he hadn’t ever had with anyone else. They were like the brothers he never had.
“Robert, I’ve seen the error of my ways,” Warren said. “I’m going to treat Iris better than I did at those dinner parties. I realize it’s going to take time to prove it. I just ask that you give me a chance.”
Robert’s shoulders relaxed, and he smiled. “I was hoping you’d say something like that.”
Feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Warren returned his friend’s smile. He looked at Malcolm, wondering what he might say to smooth things over with him. Finally, he ventured, “If there’s something I’ve done to upset you, I want you to know it wasn’t intentional.”
Malcolm winced. “You didn’t do anything. It’s me. I’ve been changing.”
Surprised, Warren studied Malcolm’s expression. The gentleman was obviously struggling with something, but Warren could only guess what that something was. “I don’t understand. Am I responsible for this change?”
Malcolm glanced around the room. “Can we talk in private?”
“Just you and me, or do you want Robert with us?” Warren asked.
“Just you and me,” Malcolm said.
When Warren’s gaze went to Robert to see if that was all right with him, Robert said, “I should go to Bethany.” He took a step away from them but then added, “I believe you mean it, Warren. It would be
nice if we could have dinner parties together again, especially since Bethany and Iris are such good friends.”
“Yes, that would be nice,” Warren replied.
Once Robert left, Warren turned back to Malcolm. “This isn’t my townhouse, so let me ask my father-in-law if we can talk in the den, all right?”
Malcolm nodded.
Warren could see that Malcolm worried Warren wouldn’t take the news well. Warren couldn’t be sure of it, either, since he had no idea what he’d done to upset him. Up until recently, he hadn’t even been aware he’d even done things to irk people.
Oh, he knew he bothered some of the gentlemen at White’s, but someone had to stand up and say the immoral behavior they liked to engage in was wrong. If Warren didn’t do it, who would?
Forcing the issue aside, he went over to his father-in-law who was talking to Anthony. “I know it’s tempting to invest everything you have,” her father was telling him. “But there’s a need to save some aside, too. I suggest ten percent of everything you earn should go into an account. That way, if you ever end up with bad investments, you’re not destitute.”
“Wise advice,” Anthony admitted, “though not very fun.”
“Saving isn’t about having fun,” Iris’ father replied. “It’s about doing the right thing.” Noticing Warren, he turned to him, “Are you ready to take Iris home?”
“Almost,” Warren said. “I have a friend who wishes to speak with me in private.” He gestured to Malcolm, who was talking to Regan. “I suspect the matter is serious, and it’d be best if no one was around to hear it.”
“Does this have anything to do with Iris?” her father asked.
“I don’t think so. To be honest, I have no idea what it is.”
“You may go to another room. In the meantime, I’ll have Iris’ things brought to your carriage,” her father said.
Thanking him, Warren turned and headed for Malcolm. He chanced a glance at Iris and saw Robert had joined Bethany and Iris’ mother. Robert must have made a joke, for Bethany and Iris’ mother laughed. Iris managed a smile, but apparently, the strain of having to marry him had taken more out of her than she let on during the wedding.
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