Page 14 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
“Aggie!” Lavinia called, skipping into the room. “Oh! Are you still praying?”
Agnes lifted her head and shook it. “Not any longer. I’m giving my knees a little rest before I do anything else. Was there something you needed?”
“I need your advice,” her sister said, climbing onto the bed.
Agnes sat on the bed beside her, leaving one leg to dangle off the side. “What kind of advice?”
“Paul will celebrate his twentieth birthday in September, and I would like to give him a thoughtful gift.”
Her sister wished to give a gift to a man who had not asked to formally court her yet and might never make a commitment. That was a scandal waiting to happen if people started asking questions.
“That might not be the right approach to take in your situation,” Agnes told her.
Lavinia sat up a little straighter and pulled her head back. “Why ever not?”
“People might question your motives,” Agnes explained. “You and Paul are not courting, betrothed, married, or even relatives. What will people say when you give him a gift? They might think you are throwing yourself at him.”
The young woman’s mouth dropped open. “That is simply not true! I would never throw myself at a man, not even Paul.”
“We know that, but those who dislike us or are looking for scandal might think otherwise.”
The Humphries were closely watched by their community as though they were criminals who needed to be kept in their place. It was ridiculous how the lack of money could affect a family so much, but Agnes’ family simply endured the underhanded comments and taunts.
“Why do they dislike us so much?” Lavinia asked. “Papa is a baron with a lineage that dates back to the Anglo-Saxons. His family were one of the first to settle in this county and were part of this land’s history.”
“A title means nothing without the wealth to support it,” Agnes revealed.
“But we are not destitute!” Lavinia cried. “We still have servants and land— surely that means something?”
“It means something to us, and that is enough. Do not worry so much about it, Livvy, but I caution you to be more aware of your behaviour. Do not give Paul anything unless he extends an invitation to this family to celebrate his birthday with him.”
Not many people made a fuss about their birthdays, so Agnes was confident her sister would not have the opportunity to give him anything beyond a heartfelt wish. Even that was best avoided as Lavinia could say something damning in the presence of others or show her affection through her eyes.
“All of this is rather unfair,” the young woman complained. “What world do we live in where two people in love cannot show it due to all the restrictions society has created? Is it so terrible to be with the one you love?”
“We have marriage for that,” said Agnes. “If Paul is sincere about his affections for you, he will make an offer for your hand. Until then, I beg you to curb your heart’s enthusiasm. Do not set it on marrying Paul just yet.”
“Can you tell a duck not to jump into a lake?” asked Lavinia.
“That is a different matter. A duck’s instinct is to move towards bodies of water because that is its natural habitat.”
“Well, a heart’s natural habitat is wherever love is,” Lavinia concluded. “Is it not written that a man and woman will leave their parents and be united as one? It is every person’s fate to be married.”
“Perhaps that is true in some situations, but our duty is to ensure we do not marry the wrong person,” Agnes argued. “That is why a courting period is necessary. Has Paul spoken about any designs to court you?”
A faint line appeared between Lavinia’s eyebrows. “No, but I do not need a courtship to know Paul is the man I wish to marry.”
“He might need the time to deduce if you are the woman he wishes to marry.”
“But Paul loves me!”
Agnes sighed. The conversation was not going well, but all she wished to do was convince her sister to take this budding relationship slower. She needed time to find an eligible suitor and get married before Paul and Lavinia made their intentions public.
“Yes, I understand he has confessed his love but is it so wrong to be cautious?” Agnes asked. “Think about our family, Livvy. Until Paul announces his intentions to court you, I beg you to keep your distance from him. Do not do or say anything that will raise eyebrows.”
Lavinia pulled away from her and slid off the bed. “I do not understand why my own sister cannot see that I am happy with the man I love. I’m not foolish enough to cause a scandal, but I refuse to entertain the idea that I should keep my distance. Do you expect me to ignore him?”
“I merely meant that you should not be seen talking to him too much. It is better to give a brief greeting if you should pass him on the street rather than stop and talk to him.”
