A Pledge of Passion (The Rules of Engagement #2)(28)

His chest seized at the realization that Rochford had already set his sights on Mariah.

Dear God in heaven, did ever a man suffer such a wretched conundrum?





CHAPTER NINE





"Love’s a malady without a cure."- John Dryden





Russell House, Bedford Square—Three weeks later





"MARIAH!" Lydia exclaimed, taking her cousin into as close an embrace as her great belly would allow. "I am so happy you have come!"

"How could I not when you have asked me to be the godmother? Lyddie, you are big as a house!" Mariah declared with a laugh. "Are you quite sure you do not carry twins?"

Lydia scowled. "Marcus boasts that I carry triplets. The beast has already christened his three unborn sons Maxim, Maximillian, and Maximus. 'Twill serve him right if I birth a daughter."

"How soon, Lyddie?"

"The doctor has said another fortnight at least, but the midwife believes it could begin in a few days with the full moon. I hope my daughter will wait until then. I would hate to miss the celebration."

"What celebration is this?"

"Next week there is a grand gala at Richmond House in Whitehall. The king was so distraught about the debacle at Green Park that the duke has taken it upon himself to host a private performance at his home."

"What debacle?" Mariah asked.

"Have you not heard about it?"

"No, I rarely read the London papers. What happened?"

"It was the command performance of Mr. Handel's musical tribute to the peace signing last autumn. It was to be a very grand affair with a one hundred-piece orchestra and a spectacle of illuminations. So great was the anticipation that the dress rehearsal at Vauxhall shut down London Bridge for over three hours! The papers estimated a crush of twelve thousand!"

"Twelve thousand!" Mariah exclaimed. "I can't even imagine so many people gathered in one place. What then happened at Green Park?"

"The weather was atrocious. The illuminations were rained out, and then in the middle of the musical performance, the pavilion caught fire! It was an utter disaster! The king was said to be disconsolate over it.”

"According to Lady Russell, his privy council called a special meeting specifically to come up with something to restore his good humor. They have decided to put on a gala at the Duke of Richmond's home on the Thames. Bedford is to provide the orchestra, directed by Mr. Handel himself, and the Duke of Montagu is arranging the illuminations. The king knows nothing of their plans. It will be a great surprise!"

"How exciting," Mariah agreed. "But is it advisable for you to go out among so many people in your condition?"

"Marcus and I had a battle royale over it, but we finally struck a compromise. We will make the briefest possible appearance at the party and then observe the illuminations from a distance. We will travel by private barge as we should also be able to hear the music since sound travels so well across water."

"That sounds ideal—to be able to enjoy the celebration without fighting the swarms of people."

"I know how much you dislike crowds, Mariah, but I'm afraid you will have to accustom yourself to them if you will be staying in London."

Mariah sighed. "You must know how much I dread what is to come."

Lydia took her hand. "I know, dearest, but this is the perfect opportunity to introduce you to London society. Moreover, all the eligible gentlemen of the ton will there. I promise that Lady Russell and I will do all that we can to help you find the right one."

"I thought I already had," Mariah said sadly.

"You still haven't told me what happened between you. I thought you and Mr. Needham had an understanding."

"We did but it . . . expired."

Lydia looked confused. "Expired?"

"He asked me to wait one year and made me promise that I would look for another if he did not return to claim my hand within that time. We corresponded weekly for over six months. I cherished every precious letter I received from him, but then they started arriving with less frequency. At first, I thought it was the unreliability of the foreign mail, but then I also noticed a difference in his tone. His letters became shorter. He spoke more about the present and less about our future. It was as if he was emotionally withdrawing from me. It was then that I started to wonder if his sentiments toward me had changed. Then, three weeks ago, almost a year to the day we sealed our bargain, I received a letter stating that he released me from my vow." She fought the quivering that had begun in her lip and blinked fiercely against the threat of tears. "I can only presume by his actions that he has indeed found someone else."

Lydia's eyes widened. "You cannot know that, Mariah! Perhaps he was only thinking of you?"

"I wonder if he's thought of me at all," Mariah replied bitterly. "I believed he truly cared for me, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that he only cares about himself and what other people think of him."

"That's harsh, dear. Why would you say that?"

"If he truly loved me, wouldn't he set his pride aside to be with me?" She continued with an angry sniff, "I hope his infernal pride keeps him warm at night."