“I could have done more. I should have been able to fulfil my duties properly –” Phoebe faltered, swallowing the tears threatening to well up within her.
Even though it happened well over seven years ago, she still remembered how it had felt, to make her debut and explore the social events of the ton during her first season. It was cumbersome enough, being from a family many did not regard as prestigious in the slightest, due to their lack of wealth.
Her scar had greatly decreased her chances and it wasn’t long before she became a laughing stock. Her fellow debutants whispered behind her and the potential suitors sneered at her. It had all been too much and without any prospects, she had refused to engage in the seasons that followed.
“If I had not become a spinster and had found a match, you would not have to take on the task. I am sorry that I didn’t spare you from this,” Phoebe sighed sadly.
“You could not help what happened, Phoebe. You and Rowland do so much for me – you have, ever since mama and papa... even with your scar, you have fought hard to help this family in every way you could. I only wish I could fulfil what was expected of me, just as you both have. Perhaps if I had been much more like you, Lord Brightwood would not have –”
“That man was vain and selfish. He had the loveliest young lady who thought the world of him and he allowed his greed to ruin the great life you could have brought him. Do not blame yourself for his shortcomings, my sweet. There are many other men out there. Good, honest ones, who have values and a sense of responsibility.” Phoebe assured her younger sister.
Then she had a thought.
What if... she found one of such men? What if she was able to convince a good man to marry Anna? That way, it would be someone she had personally vetted and was assured would care for her sister properly?
And the idea became deeply rooted in her head, because she knew just where to find one of such men.
“Do not despair, sister. I have an idea that might just save us from this problem.” She told Anna, dabbing away her sister’s tears with her handkerchief.
“W-What is it?” Anna questioned, bewildered by the sudden display of certainty from Phoebe.
“I cannot say for now, but I need you to trust that I have your best interests at heart. I only want to do what’s best for you and I will make sure that you are never put in another difficult position ever again. If I had been able to marry well, you would not have needed to take on the duty. If I can see to it that you are at least happy and satisfied, it would mean the world to me. Now, go and get some rest. It is far too early to let that lout steal away the radiance from your lovely face.”
She helped Anna up to her feet and ushered her off in the direction of her room. Anna went away, still looking confused and Phoebe exhaled deeply, silently praying to whoever could hear her that her idea would actually work.
“For all our sakes,” she whispered, clasping her hands together. “Please, let this work.”
CHAPTER TWO
“Have you gone mad?”
The dowager countess of Shadborn, Barbara Vale trailed after her nephew, her tone exasperated and annoyed, matching the utter disbelief written across her face.
When a mere chuckle was received in response, she huffed and quickened her pace.
“Edward, I demand that you face me and answer me at once.”
With a sigh, Edward Barton, duke of Montford turned around to face his aunt.
“Aunt Barbara, I could give you an answer, but I fear it would be no different from the others I had provided, the last four times you asked,” he told her casually.
Barbara folded her arms with a glare. “I find it hard to believe you made such a decision in your right mind.”
“Well, just like I told you when you arrived – and a few more times after that – I do not believe it is possible to survive this world in sound mind. However, I am certain whatever form of insanity dwells within me, it did not hamper my judgement. My actions were deliberate, I assure you, and it was a decision that was not made lightly.”
“Then that is far worse!” Barbara shrieked.
Edward paused, then narrowed his dark green eyes in deep thought for a moment, then he shook his head sadly,
“No, I apologize, dear aunt. I am certain I can think of at least a hundred different things that are worse than my choice to place a public advertisement declaring that I am in search for a wife to bear my child. I could even give you more, but that depends – do you have any other engagements today? I'm afraid it will take me some time,” he stated innocently blinking down at her.
Barbara glared at him and reached out, smacking him sharply on his arm with her hand fan, nodding in satisfaction when he winced in pain.
“Do you even understand what you have done? Publicizing your search for a wife in such a manner is one thing, but going as far as to state that you are searching for a bride of convenience is far too blunt! What do you believe would happen when the women who were interested in you would do when they read it? If you’dhoped they would fall at your feet, begging you to take them, you are sorely mistaken. Your actions have displayed an absurd amount of hubris and they will be quite repulsed. All you have done is succeed in pushing women away from you!” she pointed out in frustration.
“Ah-ah,” he held up a finger as he prepared to reason with her. “That is part of what I aimed to do. I planned to discourage the wrong sort of women away. Many of them crave more than I can give them and I would rather help to disillusion them before things go too far. I do not wish to trick any of them into expecting more than my name. That is all I can truly give. Everything else... would be a lie.”
Barbara closed her eyes, clearly willing herself to be patient and understanding, and Edward watched her with an amused smile playing across his lips. Moments later, she opened her eyes and sighed deeply.