Mastering The Marquess (Bound and Determined #1)(127)
“Are you even listening to me?” Angela complained.
“Sorry—and yes. It’s just that every time I think about what my brother is trying to do, my mind freezes like a butterfly in December. I think it’s really all about land. My father owns some finger of land that used to be part of Duldon’s estate and he wants it back. I don’t think either of them even cares about me.”
“You know that isn’t true. Your brother cares a great deal about you.”
Bliss did not miss that Angela said nothing about Duldon. It was hard to imagine him caring about anything. Once she’d thought differently, but time had proved her wrong. “Sometimes I think Swanston does care and then other times I am not so sure.”
“I don’t think your brother would spend so much time trying to watch over you if he did not care.”
Bliss supposed that was true, although perhaps he was just watching out for the family name. That thought was enough to bring a smile to her lips. Watch out for the Danser name? Dansers had been causing trouble since before anyone could remember. Her father might be the Duke of Mirth, but that didn’t make him respectable. The man had taken up raising llamas. What kind of duke took an interest in livestock that spat? She’d heard of titled gentlemen being proud of their cattle and their horses, but the beasts in question were always well-washed when displayed. She doubted there was a man brave enough to get near enough to one of her father’s wooly beasts to scrub the thing down.
The creatures did seem fond of her father, but she’d always imagined that had more to do with his pocket full of apples than the man himself.
“You are not paying attention again. Anyone would think you did not care. Perhaps Swanston believes he will marry you off to Duldon and you won’t even notice.” Angela smiled, but there was bite to her words.
“I would notice.” Her heart fluttered in her chest as she spoke, the thought of a wedding night with Duldon flitting at the edges of her mind. She would not think of that. Back to the moment. Did Angela really think she didn’t care? It was bad enough that most of society thought she was on the fast, if entertaining, road to ruin. Did her friend actually believe she wasn’t paying attention as she skipped along? The true problem was that she paid too much attention to everything going on about her. It was why sometimes she just needed to shut off her thoughts and concentrate on something small and meaningless—like llamas, not wedding nights, never wedding nights. “And to answer your earlier statement, Swanston isn’t paying nearly as much attention to me since he married Louisa. I think that now that she is in his life he doesn’t have as much time for the rest of us. It makes me wonder if he ever truly cared.”
“Now you are talking nonsense.”
“I know.” Bliss let out a long sigh. “I am being melodramatic. I think I should be allowed a good wallow in self-pity. I have just been informed by my oldest brother that he intends to marry me to Dull-Don if I am not engaged by the end of the summer.” Bliss forced herself to say the dreaded name even though she had just chided Angela for it. It was best to remember what was coming if she did not apply herself to her task. She must find another husband by the end of the summer, she simply must. And Lady Perse’s teas would surely be the fastest way to accomplish that.
“You didn’t tell me that. I thought it was merely a threat, not a plan. Your brother never lets his plans go. Everybody knows that. Once he begins he is relentless.”
“I know.” Another stone dropped onto the pile still residing in her belly.
“Hmmm.” Angela suddenly smiled. “Perhaps you could convince Swanston that Duldon should marry Dahlia or Felicity. If it really is about a piece of land then what does it matter which of you he marries?”
For the briefest of seconds Bliss considered the option, despite the shiver it caused. Her sisters? Why hadn’t she thought of that? Dahlia was so studious that she might very well not mind marrying a dull man. And the earl was known for having a wonderful library. Strangely, another rock dropped at the thought. “No, Felicity is still far too young. And Mirth has promised Dahlia a European adventure. I believe that he hopes to add a little life to her. He doesn’t know what to do with a child who doesn’t cause trouble. I doubt that Duldon wants to wait for either of them, and as you say, once my brother begins a plan he is unmovable. No, I must find another husband or marry Duldon.”
“And that is why you want one of Lady Perse’s invitations?” Angela asked, putting the whole conversation together.
“Yes.” Bliss turned away and surveyed the growing crowd. Surely she would have received one by now if she was going to. A boulder swayed on the precipice, waiting to plunge. Biting hard on her already sore lip, she looked about with care, noting those young ladies who bounced and swayed with that extra portion of joy. Miss Strong had received one, and she was most noted for frequently looking like a piece of fruit, her gowns incredibly ill chosen. Even Miss Swilp was dancing on tiptoes. As if sensing Bliss’s gaze, Miss Swilp turned and wrinkled her nose in Bliss’s direction, her green eyes narrowing as she glanced back across the room. There was no way that Miss Swilp could know that Bliss had not received an invitation, and yet Bliss could sense her feelings of superiority across the room. “Harriet Swilp has received one.”
“I can’t imagine that even Lady Perse can find her a husband. Perhaps she cannot resist a challenge.” Angela smiled at her own words.