Chapter Four
While allowing a maid to style her hair for the evening, Mattie pinched her cheeks and nibbled her lips to bring some color to her face. She attempted to convince herself she wanted to look her best for everyone, but it was Markham on her mind.
Apparently he was on Mama’s mind, too, for she burst in the door of Mattie’s bedchamber. “You and the marquess were quite cozy in the garden. You must make certain he knows you are attracted to him.”
“Mama, he’s not interested in marrying anyone, much less me, at the moment.”
“You’ve discussed marriage? That’s wonderful! A long engagement would be fine, just secure him with a proposal.”
If Mama was encouraged that marriage had come into the conversation, she’d start planning a wedding date if she knew how much Mattie and Markham talked about kissing.
Yet, for all his questions, he never hinted at wanting anything more than friendship.
“I’ll ask Her Grace to seat you two together—
“No! You won’t involve her in your matchmaking. Especially since we’re here to celebrate her daughter’s wedding. Please, Mama, do not do anything to embarrass me. If Lord Markham wanted a match, he would have asked me long before this.”
“Sometimes a man needs a nudge to realize what he wants. This is the perfect setting for nudging, the romance of it all.”
“I will die of embarrassment if you say anything more to anyone. Markham heard you and Papa. He was gracious about it, but if you say anything more, I could lose his friendship. Please, stop.”
“You’ve always been such a foolish girl. The man is heir to the duke. You can’t find a better husband.”
With her face burning and tears welling, Mattie waved away the maid, having little hope she wouldn’t discuss the matter with all the other servants. Being humiliated in front of so many was bad enough, but wondering who knew and how exaggerated the gossip had become would be so much worse.
“All I want of a husband is that he loves me, and wants a large, happy family as much as I do,” Mattie announced.
“You know better. Love won’t feed you and give you a fine home, a fashionable wardrobe—”
“Mama, stop! I refuse to discuss this anymore.” Her voice broke.
Her nose stuck in the air, Mama snapped, “I will always do what I feel is best for you. In the end, you’ll see I was right.” She turned and marched out the door.
Burying her face in her hands, Mattie let loose the emotion that had caused a knot in her throat big enough to make it difficult to breathe. Poor Markham. Mattie had drawn him into this with her flirting, and now she was powerless to end the mess she’d created.
Markham would never forgive her. She’d never forgive herself. He didn’t deserve to be treated this way. If people blamed him for putting Mattie in a position to be the object of such gossip, it would only add to his reputation as a miscreant.
The door opened and Lavinia entered. “I just passed your mother in the hallway. What has her—Oh, dear. What happened?” She rushed to Mattie’s side.
“It’s such a mess. I wish I could go home.”
Lavinia tugged on her arm. “Come, let’s sit somewhere more comfortable.” She led Mattie to the bed, where they sat on the edge.
Mattie leaned into her friend and cried even harder. Not only was her heart broken knowing what was going to happen between her and Markham when Mama finished with him, but the situation could come between Mattie and her friend.
Running her hand down Mattie’s back, Lavinia made comforting noises until the tears slowed. “There, now. That’s better. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Mama’s determined to marry me to Markham.”
Lavinia laughed lightly. After a bit of silence, she asked, “She’s not serious, is she? You’re friends, but nothing more.”
Mattie hiccupped with tears still threatening. “Yes, and yes. She’s misreading every moment I’m near him.”
“Well, you two were missing for quite some time this afternoon…”
“I was tilting—I mean, I was enjoying the garden. The swing, mostly. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to float in the air with nary a care.”
“I hear my brother was there with you. If you want to deflect rumors, that’s not the way to do it.”
“Neither of us wanted to play charades.”
“There are so many other activities you could have found that didn’t involve him.”
Mattie sat up. “Are you telling me not to speak to Markham?”
“Of course not. I would have assumed after last night, you wouldn’t want to draw more attention to the two of you.”
“It’s not fair. I enjoy his company.”
Lavinia lifted Mattie’s chin and forced her to meet her gaze. “How long have you loved him?”
Pulling away, Mattie shook her head. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“I’m not. Oh, dear, you’ve set yourself up for so much heartache.”
“Why? Am I not deserving of love? Is it so impossible for a man like him to care for me?”
“He’s not ‘like’ anyone, he’s his own man. But I can’t imagine him wanting to marry anytime soon. How long have you cared for him?”
“How long have I not? I didn’t mark the date and time in a journal. It grew slowly and bloomed one day.”
Lavinia pulled her into her arms again. “I hope you recover, soon. At least accept the fact you might never be more than friends. Now, let’s go down to dinner.” Lavinia stood.
Wiping her cheeks, Mattie shook her head. “I can’t bear to see anyone. Nor to hear what my mother will say with everyone there. Forgive me, please?”
“Very well. You rest. You’ll be yourself again by morning.” Smiling, Lavinia glided across the room and left.
Of course Mattie would be herself by morning. She was herself now. She’d kept her feelings hidden so long no one really knew her, but she was trained in proper behavior and would maintain her proper façade.
***
Early the next morning when Markham returned from his ride, he found his sister waiting for him outside the side entrance to the house.
“We must talk.”
“Can it wait until I change clothes?” he asked roughly.
“It won’t take long. It’s regarding you and Mattie.”
“Not you, too. There’s nothing between us.”
“There is, but you haven’t noticed.”
“Only in the eyes of her parents.”
“No, in Mattie’s eyes…in her heart, too.”
His first thought was that Lavinia had joined in the matchmaking scheme, but she wasn’t like that. If she’d refused to let his name be entered in their kissing scheme, she’d never encourage marriage to one of her friends. “We’re comfortable because we’ve known each other so long. We think alike on many things.”
“Now you sound like you’re explaining why you care about each other,” Lavinia said.
“Don’t be silly. I’m sorry if she misread our friendship and hopes for something more. It’s probably the romantic setting of your wedding.”
“You didn’t see her last night. Her heart is broken.”
“How am I to be blamed for that? I did nothing to encourage her.”
“You’ve done nothing to discourage her, either.”
Markham wouldn’t allow anyone to dictate who he could and couldn’t talk to. He’d done nothing improper. In fact, they’d taken pains to behave in a way that no misinterpretation could be have. “So I’m to not speak to her anymore? Do I come right out and tell her I don’t love her?”
“No, of course not. You’re being unreasonable. You know perfectly well how to behave in a manner so that a woman isn’t reading something more into your actions.”
“Thank you for making me aware of the problem. Now I must clean up before joining everyone for breakfast. With everything that’s being said about me, I don’t want to add poor grooming habits to the list.” He stepped around her and went inside.
Instead of joining their guests in the dining room, he sent his valet for a plate to eat in his room. By the time he changed, his breakfast was there, and by the time he finished eating, Ringley appeared.
“You’ve gotten yourself in a pickle,” Ringley said.
“Do I need to ask what you’re referring to?”
“I doubt it. I’m sure Lavinia spoke to you the same as she did to me last night. You’re on her bad side.”
Markham forked his fingers through his hair and exhaled in exasperation. “I haven’t done anything.”
“Somehow, the ladies have taken that as a declaration of love.” He shrugged. “You know how I became engaged to Lavinia, so I’m no expert in the workings of the female mind. What do you plan to do?”
“According to Lavinia, anything I do will be the wrong thing.”
“You need a clear head to find the right solution. Let’s go for a ride.”
“I just returned from riding.”
“Your father owns more than one horse, doesn’t he? Your other option would be to find what the guests are doing.”
Markham shook his head and raised his arms as if pleading to the ceiling would help. “Very well, I’ll change again.”