Page 41 of The Dreaming Beauty
Those sincere, soothing words did more for her than sleep ever would. Before she could form words or even think to nod, he’d climbed back inside. She lifted her hand and offered a weak goodbye. After the carriage rumbled away, Tansy waited for the spinning in her head to settle before she let herself inside the cottage. Had her time at Ashbury Court come to an end? She was torn about what that meant.
The truth was that after only five minutes in Marcus’s company, she had lost her conviction to lock away her heart. She wanted him to want her, and she was not sure he did. She tapped her foot a few times and blew out a frustrated breath. Once again, she had let herself entertain ideas for a man not meant for her. But this time, her heart was involved.
Chapter 17
Marcus found Simon and hismother arguing in the drawing room upon his return from Rose Cottage. Could they not have delayed their quarrels until after dinner? This was surely going to ruin all their appetites.
“Why her, of all people?” his mother demanded. “If Mrs. Bellvue had not written to inform me of Whitfield’s newest occupants and their eager connection to my family, this mess could have become irreparable!”
Simon had a pillow over his face, but he dropped it so he could respond. “There is nothing about Miss Tansy or me that is any of your concern. We have behaved in a perfectly respectable way.”
Marcus leaned against the doorframe, wondering if he should step in to play mediator. He believed Simon’s claim about his friendship with Tansy, but he too was worried about future implications. No man could be around Tansy for long and not grow attached to her.
His mother paced in front of the fireplace. “I saw the way you looked at her, Simon. You are already half in love with her.”
“So what if I am?”
Marcus tensed. He had not expected such a development so soon.
“Stop it!” his mother huffed. “I have paraded dozens of eligible women in front of you, and you will choose one of higher birth and better circumstances than this Miss Tansy White.”
Marcus gritted his teeth. It was one thing to hear Simon declare his attachment to Tansy but another to hear his mother disparage her. He pushed away from the door and applied an even tone to his words. “Mama, sit down before you get worked up and make yourself sick.”
“This is all your fault, Marcus. I left with your utmost assurance that you would watch over Simon.”
Perhaps it was Marcus’s fault for making the introduction, but who was he to dictate a person’s feelings after that? He could barely command his own.
“I am the older brother, or have you forgotten?” Simon growled. “I do not need anyone managing my every move, for the hundredth time.”
“Clearly, you are wrong. You are being stubborn and selfish. You are a duke, and such a position comes with obligations.”
“So you never cease to tell me.”
Marcus put up his hands. “Let’s all take a breath and calm down.”
“I can’t calm down,” his mother said, her chest rising and falling dramatically. “I returned as soon as I received the missive from Mrs. Bellvue, and that was when I believed it wasMarcuswho was involved with Miss Tansy. Simon’s involvement is far worse!”
A pit formed inside Marcus, and all the sweet feelings of being in Tansy’s company seemed to slide into it and disappear. Before he could address his disappointment, he had to ease the emotion in the room. “Nothing has happened to cause such alarm, Mama. Your fears are more for the future, and we can discuss those without the panic attached.”
With eyes wide, Mama glared at him. “You cannot talk me down on this. I am upset, and I have every right to be.” Even as she said it, her voice lowered considerably.
“I don’t know how we survived the States without you, Marcus.” Simon gave him a wry smile. “No one can calm Mother like you can.”
“And no one can rile her like you.” Marcus’s smirk was not appreciated by his mother.
“Pay attention. If we are to discuss this, then let’s do it and be done.” His mother moved to the nearest chair and collapsed into it.
“I’ll begin.” Simon tossed the pillow to the floor. “The company I keep is my choice and my choice alone.”
With lips tight, Mama lifted her hand, ready for another lecture.
Marcus spoke quickly. “Mama, can you compromise on this?”
“Absolutely not. I will not give up decades of work just for a mere fancy.”
“Whatcanyou compromise on?” Marcus said.
Again, the heavy breathing, the tautness of her neck, demonstrating her extreme level of stress. “I can allow a single dinner party at which I introduce several young ladies worthy of Simon’s attention. You may invite Miss Tansy White in order for me to portray a discreet but real comparison.”
