Page 90 of The Make-Believe Marriage
Oh, it would end.
Was this not her nightmare about to come alive now that she and Octavian were back in London?
It was only a matter of time before disaster struck and he wanted out of their marriage.
Syd kept up a casual conversation with her friends while waiting for the Huntsford butler to serve them and then leave. As soon as the drawing room doors closed, she had yet to set down her teacup when the ever sharp Lady Withnall leaned forward and said, “Now, Syd. You must tell us everything that happened, and why you still look so unhappy.”
“Are you unhappy with Octavian?” Gory asked with some surprise.
The others were now curious and stared at her.
“It is complicated. This is why I invited you here.” She glanced at her buttered bread, wishing she could stuff it in her mouth and not speak. But this was important. Her stomach had been in knots all morning, and everything she ate had felt dryin her mouth. “I’m just sorry Adela could not be with us, but unearthing that trove of ancient bones is far more important than listening to my troubles.”
Lady Dayne frowned. “You are newly married to a man who cares deeply for you, Syd. A smart, handsome, and accomplished man who has encouraged your forensic work at the Huntsford Academy. Why are you troubled?”
“This is what I have been asking myself.” She let out a ragged breath. “I have no answer for you.”
“Has he been unkind to you?” Sophie asked.
“No, he’s been wonderful.” She and Octavian had been back in London for almost a week now. They had fallen back into their daily routines which kept them busy. This was the excuse she gave herself for not seeing these friends until now or calling upon her parents.
Ah, yes.
Her parents.
She had to face them eventually and dreaded it.
With Sir Henry dead, her father had gained a reprieve from repaying his debts. Octavian had agreed to help him pay off those debts, but no one had yet taken charge of Sir Henry’s affairs or come around to collect what had been due him.
Octavian was keeping close watch on the situation.
Meanwhile, true to form, her father had reverted to his scoundrel ways and was reportedly running up new debts.
How could her mother endure this?
A good daughter would have run to her side to offer solace and assistance, but she had not done this yet. She would in time, she supposed. However, she felt no urgency to lend aid to a mother had not lifted a finger to prevent her father’s scheme to marry her off to the odious Sir Henry. In truth, Syd had the uneasy suspicion her mother had encouraged Sir Henry.
It was a dreadful thing to think ill of one’s mother.
But her mother had never been loving or supportive, Syd was coming to realize. In truth, Marigold’s aunt, Sophie, had shown more concern for her than her own mother ever had.
Perhaps she had not gone to see her parents because she was still too angry with them for using her to pay off her father’s debts.
She shook off the thought and returned to the conversation because she needed to seek guidance from her friends.
“Will you be living here with Adela and Ambrose?” Lady Dayne asked.
“For now,” Syd said with a nod. “Octavian’s assignment may require us to settle in Scotland for a few years, so we are in no hurry to acquire a London residence for ourselves when it might remain empty for months at a time.”
Marigold voiced her agreement. “There’s certainly no urgency since Adela and Ambrose spend most of their time in Devon digging up fossils, and Julius is often in Oxford or York attending to the Huntsford holdings. Using the Huntsford townhouse as a home base for all of you makes eminent sense for now.”
“Exactly,” Syd said. Besides, what point was there in building up memories with Octavian when it might all come undone at any moment?
Gory finally asked her the question they were all eager to have answered. “What happened?”
Marigold scooted forward in her chair and nodded. “Yes! We have all been dying to know since receiving your cryptic messages. All you revealed was that you were safe and on the run with Octavian. That he married you to protect your honor is so romantic.”
Syd smiled at the comment.
