Page 46 of Storm of Bells
The clouds of sadness on the Marchioness’sface darkened. It tugged at my heart. ‘We have, but…’
She trailed off, biting her lip.
‘His father?’ I enquired gently.
She nodded.
Ella and Eve exchanged looks. ‘What about hisfather?’
‘He doesn’t approve of me,’ I sighed. By theway her ladyship winced, I could tell my guess was spot-on.
‘He’s not a bad man,’ she pleaded, taking myhand. ‘He’s just…set in his ways. It can be difficult to make himsee that not everything can happen exactly the way he wants itto.’
A corner of my mouth curled up, and Isqueezed her hand reassuringly. ‘Hm…now why does that soundfamiliar?’
She returned my smile. ‘I don’t know. Maybeyou know someone like that?’
‘Hm. Yes, it does sound a little bitreminiscent of someone I’m familiar with.’
A dull thump came from behind the connectingdoor, followed by a growl, and then footsteps.
‘And I think he’s just finished with hisdiscussion. Girls?’
On my command, they stepped aside, makingroom. A moment later, the door swung open, revealing anexhausted-looking Adaira.
‘I give up,’ she panted, slumping against thedoorframe. ‘Lilly, if you truly want to marry that bone-headedcheapskate, you have my sincerest condolences! Is thereanythingthat can make that man part with money?’
‘Err…more money?’
‘Other than that!’
‘Not to my knowledge, no.’
‘Did you try everything?’ Ella demanded. ‘Didyou—’
‘Everything! I tried everything! I eventhreatened to show his baby pictures to everyone I know!’
Eve paled. ‘You didn’t!’
‘I did! We have that adorable littleminiature of him, where he’s just two years old, and just in theprocess of…well, you’d have to see it to believe it.’
I winced. ‘Remind me to never get on your badside.’
‘Ha! As if it accomplished anything! Ifailed!’
‘You simply seem to be labouring under somedelusions that I do not share,’ came a cool voice from behind her.‘Such as the idea that a wedding has to happen in a church, or mustinclude food, and more than two guests.’
Whirling around, she stabbed a finger at herdear brother. ‘And I suppose you’d rather do it without the vicar,too, would you?’
‘You think that would be possible?’ Hesounded intrigued. ‘How?’
‘Aargh! You…you…!’
‘Penny-pincher? Slimy little weasel?’ Ellasuggested.
‘Thank you! Exactly!’
Just then, the slimy weasel of a pennypincher stepped through the doorway, looking as stony, cold anduntouchable as I had ever seen him. He gave a curt nod in LadySamantha’s direction.
