Page 10 of Married to a Scandalous Spinster
Pippa Marlow, the Dowager Marchioness of Hilt, dug her fingers into her son-in-law's arm as she helped him up the staircase toward his bedchamber. Gemma held her father's other arm, walking in step beside him. Pippa sighed dramatically. “This is becoming quite the practiced routine, is it not, my dear? One you and I are becoming far too adept at.”
Gemma gave her a faint smile but did not bother to reply.
Pippa's single greatest regret was that she had not tried harder to prevent her daughter from marrying Mark Caster. Elizabeth had been young and foolish and convinced she was in love. Blind to every one of her beloved's flaws. True, Mark had not been in such a state back then. His drinking and gambling had not taken such a drastic turn until after Elizabeth's death. But Pippa had seen glimpses of it all those years ago. Perhaps if she had forbidden her daughter from marrying the man, Elizabeth might still be alive today.
“Did you hear that?” she said loudly, directly into her son-in-law's ear. “Your daughter and I have had quite enough of this. Next time I've a good mind to leave you upstairs in your ownfilth.” She snorted. “Or even better, leave you at home. Then we might all have a chance of enjoying ourselves.”
The Earl grunted in response.
Pippa rolled her eyes in disgust. “Is that all you have to say for yourself?” She darted a sideways glance at Gemma. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, as though she was doing her best not to get involved. Gemma was often one to stand up for her father; to be kinder to him than he deserved. Pippa longed to put a stop to it.
I failed my daughter. I will not fail my granddaughters as well.
“Are you listening to this, Gemma?” she demanded. “Do you hear your father's explanation for his disgraceful behavior?” She shook her head. “He clearly has no interest in finding husbands for the three of you.” She snorted. “I doubt he has any interest in anything that is not found in a bottle.”
“All right, Grandmother,” Gemma said wearily. “That is enough. Please.”
Pippa did not reply. Perhaps she had gone a step too far. But Gemma needed to be shaken out of this misplaced loyalty she had toward her father. And as for the search for husbands, well, Pippa had decided some time ago to take matters into her own hands.
And what a challenge that is turning out to be.
Though she dearly loved Gemma, Pippa knew her eldest granddaughter could be difficult. She was far too strong-willed and feisty for a young lady of thetonand filled with far too many liberal, cringeworthy ideas. Pippa knew such traits made most men run a mile.
But not the Duke of Larsen.
What an interesting development that had been. Pippa had been unable to hold back her laughter at the sight of Gemma and the Duke arguing like children and reciting their poetry to the gathering like priests delivering the most impassioned sermons. She could tell Gemma regretted the events deeply, and the knowledge of it stung.
No doubt the poor child would be much happier if she let herself go every now and then.
Pippa knew well that Gemma had no desire to marry. The poor, misguided child. No doubt that was her father's doing—how could Gemma be expected to put her trust in a husband's ability to take care of her when her own father had been unable to do so? Pippa knew that, somehow, she would have to make Gemma see that not all men were as unreliable and weak as her father.
Gemma shouldered open the Earl's bedroom door and eased him toward the bed. She and Pippa lifted his legs onto the mattress, and Gemma tugged off his shoes.
Pippa took a step back, watching in dismay as Gemma pressed a kiss onto her father's lined pink forehead. Mark Caster did not deserve such affection from his daughters. If only he could see the effect his behavior was having on them. If only he could hear the way Gemma spoke so negatively about marriage. If only he could see poor Veronica, hiding away in the sitting room, filled with shame over the way he had behaved at the dinner table, and too embarrassed to show her lovely face.
The sooner I can get my granddaughters into lives of their own, the better.
Pippa put a soft hand on Gemma's shoulder as they made their way out of the bedroom. She knew she needed to broach the subject of marriage with her granddaughter again. With Gemma just turned two-and-twenty, they were fast running out of time. Perhaps now, with her father's disgrace at the forefront of her mind, Gemma might be more open than usual to the discussion. Surely, she could see the necessity of a husband who might dig the family out of poverty.
“Dearest,” she began gently, closing the Earl's bedchamber door behind her, “we need to discuss?—”
“Finding me a husband,” Gemma finished. “Yes, Grandmother. I know.”
Pippa gave her an apologetic smile. She hated that the task seemed like such a chore to Gemma. Why could she not be like other young ladies, and look forward to a life of finding a husband, of raising a family? The moment the thought came to her, Pippa knew the answer.
Gemma is not like other young ladies.It was a fact that filled her with pride and frustration in equal measures.
“I wish you would be a little more open to the idea, my love,” Pippa told her gently. “I know your father's behavior has weakened your faith in men. But please believe me when I tell you there are many good potential husbands out there. Surely there must be someone in thetonwho manages to capture your interest.”
For a moment, Pippa could have sworn she saw something flicker in Gemma's eyes, but her granddaughter merely sighed. “No, Grandmother. There is not. The men in theton… all they wish for is a wife who will stay quiet and not speak her mind. Icannot bear the thought of being married to such a man. How can I commit to a life where I am expected to do nothing but sit in the corner and keep my thoughts to myself?”
Pippa thought of the tirade Gemma had launched into last night, hounding the Duke of Larsen about how women ought to have a voice in the election of members of Parliament.
Such outlandish ideas will not serve her well.
Pippa decided to try a different approach. “What about your sisters? Veronica is out in society now, and it will not be long before Jane is too. With a drunkard for a father and a spinster for an older sister, finding husbands will be near impossible.” She could not hold back the waver in her voice.
Gemma lowered her eyes, stray strands of brown hair falling over her cheeks. “I know, Grandmother. But if I must marry, then I want it to be to a man who takes an interest in who I am as a person. Not merely in my ability to provide him with an heir. A man with whom I can be myself.” She sighed. “Such a thing feels near impossible.”
