Page 7 of A Marquess' Season of Secrets
Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Stop talking about this wedding, Nash. Nothing has been finalised.”
Nash sighed. His sister was so stubborn at times. She had a wonderful man who adored her, and his parents already considered her as their daughter-in-law. All that was left were the banns to be read and the date to be set.
“Be reasonable, Ellie. Didn’t you accept his proposal?”
“I didn’t say yes. In fact, I didn’t give an answer! Everyone just cheered and clapped around me and assumed I was engaged.”
Nash’s brow puckered into a deep frown. “Do you not wish to marry David? Was I wrong in thinking you had some affection for him?”
“I do like David, but I’m not ready for marriage. I have another year before I reach the legal age to be married.”
“But your age doesn’t matter if your guardian or parent accepts the marriage. You could be married at sixteen if by parental consent.”
Eleanor scrunched up her nose. “That is far too young. Women need more time to have experiences before getting married. If David cannot wait until I turn twenty-one, then perhaps he is not the right man for me.”
Nash pulled his head back in surprise. “Where is this coming from, Ellie? I’ve seen how you interact with David. I think you’re made for each other. What has brought on all this talk?”
His sister turned away. “Nothing. Mrs Black wishes to discuss the dinner menu with me.”
Nash put his hand on his sister’s shoulder. “I’m your brother, Ellie. You know you can tell me anything. Are you having doubts about David? Has he done anything to—”
“No!” the young woman interrupted. “Nothing is wrong, Nash. I simply want more time to myself before I become someone’s wife. I enjoy the freedom I have.”
“I doubt David will stifle you.”
“He probably wouldn’t,” Ellie agreed. “But I’m not going to rush anything. Now, I must go before Mrs Black adds anything else to the list. She is as elaborate as Mama was.”
The woman walked away, leaving Nash confused. Where was all of this coming from? Eleanor had seemed so in love with David and had gushed about one day marrying him. Now, she wished to prolong the wedding. The poor man had been patient so far, but what would he say about postponing everything once again?
Ellie was Nash’s responsibility, and he wanted to ensure that she was happy and well-settled with the right man. David was that man, so why the hesitance?
If only I could read minds!
Somewhat disappointed, Nash left the newly renovated drawing room and headed to the dining room. It was one of the ten rooms he had renovated to suit his vision for the manor. Nash wanted something more sophisticated, subdued, and luxurious to match his own tastes.
His parents had had eclectic tastes and hoarded everything they had found interesting. African tribal masks, animal heads, busts of every family member, too many landscape paintings, tapestries from the east, and ancient artefacts had littered the house.
Now, most of the things they collected during their marriage were put into a room as a memorial to them.
“Your Grace,” his valet called after him.
Nash turned around and waited for his valet to catch up to him. “Yes?”
“I was notified that the lanterns you ordered have arrived. Should we keep them at the warehouse, or would you prefer they be brought here?”
The lanterns were for his sister’s engagement party, but that didn’t look like it was going to happen any time soon. They were custom made and had cost a pretty penny, but he doubted Ellie would appreciate them in the mood she was currently in.
“Keep them at the warehouse, Johnson, but emphasise to the workers that they must thoroughly search for possible breakages. I will not pay for broken glass. Have the candles arrived as well?”
Nash had discovered a French candle maker who mixed floral scents and dried flowers into the candle wax. He had ordered the candles to go into the glass lanterns to light up the garden— his sister’s favourite place on the estate— but there had been some delay due to the ongoing tension between England and France.
“Not yet, Your Grace, but I was promised they would arrive next week. I’ll have our men look them over for scratches and such.”
“Thank you, Johnson. Handle anything else I’ve ordered for the engagement party, and make sure no one says anything to my sister. I’m not even confident there will be an engagement party.”
“Forgive me my forwardness, Your Grace, but has something happened to put such a thought in your mind?”
“Ellie is having doubts about the wedding and getting married,” Nash admitted.
