A Pledge of Passion (The Rules of Engagement #2)(2)

"Aunt Eustacia can certainly manage without you for a few more days. She has a veritable army of servants. Don't you think it's time you considered your own marriage prospects? You will never meet anyone suitable while buried at Morehaven."

"Lydia is right," Lady Russell chimed in. "This is the perfect opportunity for you to mix with good society without the pressures of a London season."

"Please, Mariah. You must come with me," Lydia cajoled.

Although her conscience bade her to return home, the more Mariah considered it, the more she wanted to go. Lydia needed the moral support, and Mariah's life had become so incredibly dull since her father's illness. Outside of attending her parents' needs, her idle hours were filled with reading, needlework, and long walks. Only occasional visits with Lydia broke the monotony. What harm could there be in enjoying herself for a few more days? Mariah capitulated with a sigh. "You make it impossible for me to refuse."

"Precisely, my dear," Lady Russell responded with a feline smile.

"Perhaps I could go just for a short while."

"It's settled, then.” Lady Russell set her cup down decisively in its saucer. "You will write your mama that you are going with us to Bedfordshire while Lydia and I see to the packing."

***

Mariah and Lydia descended into the courtyard amongst a frenetic flurry of activity as liveried footmen loaded and secured the provisions and luggage onto the caravan of vehicles. Lady Russell stood on the top stair under the portico with her quizzing glass poised, as if she were a general inspecting an army on parade.

The carriages preparing to depart for Woburn Abbey included Lady Russell's opulent black lacquer traveling coach, an extensive baggage train, and Lord Marcus's sportier post chaise. Lord Marcus and his secretary, Mr. Needham, were currently standing by Marcus's coach, conversing with the driver and looking bored.

"Lackaday, Mariah! Just look at that cowardly weasel!" Lydia jerked her head in Lord Marcus's direction. "First he refuses to accept my decision to break our engagement, and now he's conscripted his mother to intercede on his behalf. He's completely deluded if he thinks to placate me now."

"Perhaps he truly has had a change of heart?" Mariah suggested.

Lydia gave an unladylike snort. "More likely it's only fear of his mother's wrath that prompts his recent actions. I know you always wish to believe the best of people, but Marcus is truly an incontestable cad. I refuse to wait one moment longer on a man who doesn't want me, regardless of his recent and remarkable protestations to the contrary."

"But he certainly seems sincere."

"Of course he does!" Lydia chortled mirthlessly. "He's a diplomat. It's his job to hedge, evade, dither, and dissemble."

Mariah grinned. "If recent actions are representative of those dubious talents, he should have quite a promising future."

Lydia sighed. "I would send him straight to the devil but for his mother. Lady Russell was like a sister to my own dear Mum. The two of them conspired the match between us the day I was born. It would have broken Mama's heart to know what a feckless rogue he turned out to be. I will play along only until this house party is over, but once the delegates are announced, this sham engagement shall come to an immediate end. Who knows? Maybe I'll even meet a more suitable gentleman."

Suddenly, Mr. Needham glanced in their direction and caught Mariah watching him. He acknowledged her with a brief smile and an inclination of his head. Although he'd been all that was genial in their brief encounters, she had far too little experience of gentlemen to judge if he was merely being polite or if he might be interested in furthering their acquaintance. She'd wondered if Mr. Needham would also be invited, but the last thing she'd wanted to do was inquire directly. Lydia would surely pounce on any opportunity to play matchmaker. How terribly awkward that could be. She returned an embarrassed smile before hastily diverting her gaze back to their own coach.

Pronouncing their readiness to depart, Lady Russell commanded the baggage coaches to set out ahead of them to Woburn Abbey so that her maid would have time to prepare the rooms and unpack prior to their arrival. Once the baggage was on its way, the coachman lowered the steps. Lord Marcus approached with his arm extended to assist his mother.

"Lud! I have forgotten my laudanum!" Lady Russell exclaimed. "Marcus, pray assist Lydia. I will return in just a moment."

Lydia stiffened. "Are you traveling with us, my lord? I thought you were taking your post chaise."

"Nicolas and I will follow you in my post chaise," Marcus replied smoothly, inclining his head in his friend's direction. Had he failed to notice Lydia's snub, or did he simply refuse to acknowledge her resistance to him?

"Shall we, Miss Trent?" Marcus offered his hand with a smile. She hesitated once more before finally accepting his assistance. After handing her inside, Lord Marcus turned to Mariah, his smile still intact.

"Thank you, my lord," Mariah murmured. Placing one gloved hand on his arm, she raised her skirts with the other, but her first upward step was accompanied by strong resistance and the distinct sound of renting taffeta. "My gown!" she cried in dismay and turned to find Lady Russell standing on it.

"Botheration!" Lady Russell cried. "How unforgivably clumsy of me! I have trod on your train!"