Page 39 of An Arranged Marriage with a Mad Marquess
It felt odd, taking Neil’s hand in hers. His skin was warm and smooth, and sent shivers up her arm which she could not quite interpret.
The two of them left the parlour, the rest falling into pairs behind them.
“I don’t think your cousin and aunt like me very much,” Patrina whispered to Neil, terrified of being overheard. “Have I done something to offend them? Because if I have…”
“You haven’t offended them,” Neil responded, while Patrina shot a quick glance over his shoulder. Clayton’s eyes were fixed on them, his mother’s arm looped casually through his. As soon as Patrina and Clayton’s eyes met, the man broke into a wide, friendly smile.
She didn’t return it. Perhaps she ought to have done. Either way, it was too late. Patrina turned to face the corridor ahead, winding along in their pilgrimage to the dining room.
“Theydon’tlike me,” she repeated shortly. “Is it because I’m not rich enough? Does he think I’m too old? Not pretty enough? Youarea handsome family, after all.”
Neil let out a small sigh. “He was always going to hate my wife, no matter how rich or beautiful she was. Look, I had better just tell you and get it over with.”
The hairs on the back of Patrina’s neck prickled. “Oh, dear, this can’t be good.”
“Firstly, I shan’t insult your intelligence by understating how serious my health condition is. You know that my father died within a year or two of exhibiting the same symptoms which plague me.”
Neil said it all in a rush, without inflection, as if he didn’t much care about the words coming out of his mouth. As if he couldn’t care less about his death sentence.
She cleared her throat. “Indeed, I know that. And it’s terrible, but I don’t think you should give up hope just yet. I think…”
“I’ve heard all of this, my dear, please don’t bore me. My point is, I am on borrowed time. And should I die, the estate and title are entailed to the next male heir in line.”
Patrina sucked in a breath, understanding dawning. She felt like a fool for not seeing it before.
“And Clayton is the next in line.”
“Precisely. Unless, of course, you and I produce a child. A male child, specifically. So I’m sure you can see why he does not like you. He views you as a threat, plain and simple.”
Patrina nibbled her lower lip. She was doing that entirely too much these days, and the skin was drying out, becoming flaky. Her mother had often scolded her for the ‘ugly habit’.
“He didn’t want you to marry,” she concluded.
Neil nodded. “He certainly did not. He never voiced his thoughts, of course. It’s not his place, but we’d be a fool not to see through him. He’s my cousin, and I love him, and I’m sure that deep down, he loves me too, but he’s always had his eye on Morendale. And with my illness, I suppose he’s started to look on it of late as his own. But it isn’t,” Neil added, with something like venom creeping into his voice. “He’s going to have to learn that. Not if I can help it. I love my cousin, as I said, but I don’t believe that he could handle the estate. There’s a great deal of work involved, and if I know Clayton at all, he simply wouldn’t do it, and the place would fall to rack and ruin.”
He fell silent after this little speech, glancing down at Patrina. “I hope I haven’t scared you off with all of this.”
She glanced up at him, feeling something suspiciously like affection spreading through her chest.
“Of course not,” she heard herself say. “I’m sure you never could.”
And then they were at the dining room door, and all private conversation ceased. They all filed inside, finding seats and exclaiming at the spread of food. Patrina felt Clayton’s and Thomasin’s eyes on her more than once.
Just as they were partaking of their morning repast, Patrina saw Clayton shoot his mother a pointed, meaningful look. At once, Thomasin sat upright and cleared her throat for attention.
“Emma, Neil, I was thinking that perhaps we should spend some time together as a family. On account of the new marriage, of course,” she said, her voice just a little too thin.
Emma eyed her warily. “I’m sure that would be pleasant. What did you have in mind?”
Thomasin smiled. “I thought Clayton and I could stay for a week or two.”
Patrina’s heart sank. She glanced over at Neil, whose face was carefully impassive. Politeness dictated that only one response was acceptable.
“Of course,” Neil said, voice smooth. “That would be delightful. Wouldn’t it, Patrina?”
“Oh, indeed,” Patrina lied.
