Page 18 of The Duke's Concealed Vow
Chapter Eight
“Where were you?” the dowager said as Rowan fumbled his way past the parlor. It was well past dark, and he had left the earl’s townhouse hours ago. But he had not been able to settle his nerves after Lord Yardley and he had broken the news of the marriage to Lady Serena. He had chosen to stop by a seedy pub instead of the gentleman’s club, White’s of which he was a member, before going home after the uncomfortable meeting. He had only sipped his drinks throughout the afternoon and evening. But he could already feel the beginnings of a headache beginning behind his eyes.
“I had a meeting,” he said, trying to be careful not to slur his words.
The duchess rose from where she had been doing needlepoint, approaching the doorway and scrutinizing her son.
“Was that meeting, perhaps, with a winery?” she asked. Her tone carried no malice. But the question was not a genuine one, and Rowan was in no mood for judgment.
“I went for a drink after the meeting,” he said, backing away from the parlor doorway with the intention of going to his chambers without another word. But his mother reached out and grabbed his shoulder, staring intently at him.
“We do not need you out behaving like a scoundrel in public, Rowan,” she said. “Has this family not been through enough?”
Rowan had had no intention of telling his mother about the arranged marriage, at least until he had procured the license. But the implication that he had been out sullying their family name was more than he could take.
“A man deserves a drink after he secures a marriage to a woman he does not love,” he snapped.
The dowager’s mouth fell open and she stared at her son for a long moment.
“Marriage?” she echoed, shaking her head in disbelief. “What do you mean?”
Rowan rolled his eyes, rubbing his temple to try to quell the increasing ache.
“Lord Yardley and I came to an agreement regarding Lady Serena’s hand in marriage today,” he said. “We are to be married as quickly as possible, by special license.”
His mother stared at him thoughtfully, her expression blank. Rowan had expected confusion or even anger. But when she spoke, she surprised him.
“I suppose you could have done far worse than the season’s diamond,” she said, sounding almost pleased. “Why did you not tell me of your plans to make this arrangement?”
Rowan shrugged, wishing for nothing more than to be away from his mother and in his bed.
“It is not as though we talk much these days,” he said, more bitterly than he intended.
The sharpness of his tone had its intended effect, however. The dowager, looking wounded and offended, stepped aside, allowing Rowan to pass. He ignored the guilt he felt at the hurt in her eyes as he stumbled through the grand hall and up the stairs to his bedchambers. He was in no mood to pacify her injured feelings. He was doing well enough to nurse his raw nerves. Exhausted and stressed, he collapsed on his bed. He thought that even with the alcohol in his body, he would struggle to sleep. However, his eyes drooped as soon as his head hit the pillow, and a moment later, he was fast asleep.
***
Two days later, Rowan sat at his study desk, once more staring down at a life-altering piece of paper. This time,however, it was the special license he had agreed to obtain. He knew he had initiated the marriage offer to begin with, therefore setting his own life on the path that now lay before him. But that fact didn’t keep the impending marriage from crushing down on him. In a mere three days, he would be married to Lady Serena. And despite it being his idea, he couldn’t help the sense of loss of his free will and the life he had always known.
Since returning from the club the night that Lady Serena had been made aware of their upcoming nuptials, he had stayed locked either in his chambers or in his study, carefully avoiding his mother so as to prevent her from asking any questions about his marriage or trying to talk him out of his decision. But the longer he thought about the wedding, the more constricting the walls began to feel. Desperate to put a soothing end to the solitude which had become oppressive and stifling, he hurried from the study, ordering that the carriage be readied to take him to visit Harry.
When he reached Harry and Louisa’s home, it was a footman who ushered him inside. He had not made it far past the foyer before his sister stepped into view. Surprise registered on her face, and a strained silence hung between them. He had not spoken to his sister since before his marriage agreement had been finalized. But when Louisa’s surprise gave way to concern and confusion, Rowan realized that their mother had told her about the wedding. He also knew that an explanation would be expected. And he knew that was the least he could do for having kept such a big secret from his beloved sister.
“Louisa,” he said, attempting a tight smile as he gestured toward the parlor. “May I speak with you?”
Louisa nodded, worry and unasked questions flickering in her eyes. She took a step in the direction of the parlor, stopping just as Rowan prepared to follow her.
“I’m sorry, Brother,” she said, looking away from him. “Imust tend to my household duties. Please, excuse me.”
Rowan opened his mouth to offer the promise to explain everything to her. But Louisa gave him a sad smile and then retreated into the bowels of the house. As she disappeared from view, Harry appeared. When he saw Rowan standing there, he smiled.
“Brother,” he said, walking over to Rowan. “What a pleasant surprise.”
Rowan sighed, glancing away guiltily before looking at his brother-in-law once more sheepishly.
“Can we talk?” he asked pensively.
Harry’s smile melted and he nodded, clapping Rowan on the back.
