A Breach of Promise (The Rules of Engagement #1)(6)

My dearest Miss Trent,

It is with the most abject desolation that I have learned of Sir Timothy’s demise. Please believe I am deeply grieved and utterly chagrined that you have attended me so long unanswered.

While my position as undersecretary to the Plenipotentiary General has kept me inordinately occupied with urgent matters of State, even this should not have delayed my response, had I not been at the mercy of the accursed, unpredictable foreign mail service. Having now offered up such a pitiful explanation, I ask that you please accept my most heartfelt condolences at your loss.

At this, Lydia exhaled an exasperated huff. “Can you believe he expects me to swallow this honey-coated tripe?”

“He does sound sincere,” Mariah remarked.

“Of course he does! He’s a diplomat. It’s his job to hedge, evade, dither and dissemble.”

“Well, if this letter is representative of those dubious talents, he should have quite a promising future.” Mariah grinned. “What else does he say?”

Lydia continued.

Regarding the further contents of your missive in which you requested an end to our betrothal, nothing, dear Lydia, could be further from my wishes. While I daresay my extended absence might be perceived as apathy to any lady of the least sensibility—let alone one in a heightened state of bereavement—pray believe such an assumption would be far from truth.

While stationed abroad for my extended tour, I dared not even think of you for the torture of my heart, but as the day of my return approached, you ever occupied more of my thoughts and animated my dreams.

Lydia paused. “I’m beginning to fear my stomach may expel my breakfast if I continue.”

Mariah pealed with laughter. “But you can’t stop now. You’re just getting to the good part!”

“What does he think I am? Some lifeless, languishing lack wit? Does he believe I’ve locked myself away all this time, just awaiting the day he would deign to honor his troth? Lackaday, Mariah!” she cried in vexation. “His conceit is beyond credence!”

“But what more does he say of your betrothal?” Mariah prompted.

Lydia scanned the next page. “I can hardly decipher through all this ludicrous flummery. Ah, here it is at last.” She paced the room as she read.

There is nothing I look forward to with greater anticipation than my return home when I shall call immediately upon you. I live in the confidence that any perceived differences between us will promptly be resolved. Until that hour, dearest Lydia, I remain…

Your most humble and willing servant,

Marcus, Lord Russell

“Humble? He doesn’t know the meaning of the word! Can you believe the pure gall of the man?” Lydia finished with an unladylike snort.

“One can’t but remark on his confidence,” Mariah laughed.

Lydia spun around to face her cousin who had knowingly fueled the fire. “Lord Russell is completely deluded if he thinks to placate me.”

“What will you do now, Lyddie? How will you answer him?”

“Regrettably, not as I wish. I would send him straight to the devil but for his darling mother. She was like a sister to my own dear Mum. The two of them conspired this match the day I was born, you know. It would have broken Mama’s heart to know what a feckless rogue he turned out to be. Papa lost patience as well. He spoke more than once of calling Marcus to task—to bring him up to scratch, so to speak.”

“So you would now do so yourself?”

“Ha! I wouldn’t have him now, were he gilded!”

Mariah looked shocked. “Isn’t emasculation a bit harsh?”

“Not gelded, dearest. Gilded, as in covered in gold, although gelding might well be what he really deserves! No, Mariah,” she replied. “My feelings for Marcus Russell are long dead. No matter what he may say or do, I shan’t be the least moved.”





Chapter Three


Dearest Lydia,

Though my duties at this time preclude any travel outside the capital, I beg that you would accept my most humble invitation to town, where we might discuss this most grievous and distressing misunderstanding. I have taken the liberty of notifying Mother, who has already prepared a set of rooms at Russell House in anticipation of your arrival, where you may be assured of every comfort and accommodation as our most honored guest. The family carriage will be dispatched with all haste upon your reply. Until then, I eagerly await and constantly remain…

Your most humble and willing servant,

Marcus, Lord Russell

“‘Upon my reply,’ he says, as if my answer could be nothing but a swooning yes.” Lydia tossed the letter in the air and watched the elegant parchment float to the floor before she tromped on it.

“So what will you do now?” Mariah asked.

“I suppose nothing prohibits my journey, now that I’m relegated to only half-mourning. Besides that, since James and Alice’s arrival here, I’ve become a guest in my own home. I suppose I may as well be a guest in someone else’s. Do you join me, my dearest cousin?”

Mariah looked wistful for a moment, but then shook her head. “You know how reluctant I am to leave Mama alone to manage Papa. Since his apoplexy, he requires near-constant care and they both fret so when I am not at home.”

“But you really should come to town, Mariah. You never had a proper come out. It’s time you thought about your own marriage prospects which your parents have done nothing to promote.”