Page 39 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Rogue

Her mother, now with wonder in her eyes, approached Rowena, looking back and forth between her and the baron.

“Truly?” she asked, her eyes wide and filled with tears once more.

Rowena embraced her mother, mouthing a silent thank you to the baron over her shoulder as she did so.

“Truly,” she said. “You needn’t worry any longer, Mother. Everything will be all right now.”

Lady Worthingwood pulled away from her daughter, and for the first time in as long as Rowena could remember, she saw a ghost of a smile on her mother’s face.

“This is wonderful news, dear,” she said in a choked voice. “The best.”

The baron bowed again, smiling at the mother and daughter. Rowena saw understanding in his eyes, and she realized he must have an idea of what had been bothering her mother. She felt grateful to him for his kindness, and she made a note to tell him so.

“I will arrange for the banns to be read at once,” he said as Rowena’s mother wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. “And I will have a notice of our betrothal placed in the next edition of theLondon Times.”

Rowena nodded, breathing shakily. It was good news indeed that he had brought. But it was also overwhelming. Everything seemed to be happening so fast, though the baron was following all the rules for a proper betrothal, just as she’d wanted, which meant they wouldn’t be married for a few weeks.

There was no turning back now, she knew. The baron had been granted her father’s blessing and clearly, her mother was happy, as well. Besides, the alternative was a marriage to Lord Axenshire. And now that she had so narrowly avoided that awful fate, she wanted to forget that it had ever been a possibility.

Chapter Seventeen

When he arrived home, his mother was waiting for him in the hallway. Andrew couldn’t help smiling as she approached. He was anxious to give her his news so that she would stay out of his business once and for all.

“Good day, Mother,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

She stood stiffly, looking at him with pursed lips.

“Where on earth have you been all day?” she asked.

Andrew’s grin widened.

“I took your advice,” he said casually. “I went to call on a lady.”

His mother’s face instantly brightened, and she gave him a smile to rival his own.

“Oh, that is wonderful, darling,” she said, touching his arm gently. “I am glad you have finally come to your senses.”

Andrew nodded, letting her bask in her delight before he delivered his unexpected news.

“I knew you would be pleased,” he said.

The dowager nodded, her eyes sparkling.

“I imagine Lady Viola was thrilled to see you,” she said.

Andrew shook his head slowly, drawing a deep breath and bracing himself for her reaction.

“It was not Lady Viola I called on,” he said. “It was actually Miss Whitworth.”

His mother’s expression soured at once.

“You must be joking,” she said. “Why on earth would you call on her?”

Andrew shook his head and met his mother’s firm gaze.

“I am certainly not joking, Mother,” he said. “And I called on Miss Whitworth because, as you keep bringing the subject up, I have lately given the idea of marriage considerable thought.”

Lady Elsbrook, seemingly sensing that her son was about to say something she wouldn’t like, raised her eyebrows and surveyed him with suspicion.

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