The Luck of the Bride (The Cavensham Heiresses #3)(9)

March used her finger to lift the seal. With a quick scan of the missive, her suspicions grew stronger. “The Marquess of McCalpin has summoned me to London. He wants to meet this afternoon.”

“That doesn’t give you much time to get ready,” Faith said.

“Oh, March! He’s finally taken notice. Maybe we can move to London sooner.” Julia’s smile could have lit a ballroom for hours. “We’ll finally be able to hire a proper tutor for Bennett.”

March simply nodded without paying much heed as her thoughts were spinning. Indeed, it was entirely possible the marquess was ending the trust and she would have control of her fortune. She bit her lip and forced the flutters of anxiety away. Perhaps he didn’t know that she’d embezzled funds using his signature and seal.

Julia jumped to Faith and gathered their hands together. “We’re going to have a Season. Just imagine you and me dancing with the handsomest men in London.” Julia presented Faith with a mock bow. “My lady, may I have the honor of tonight’s midnight waltz?”

Faith giggled and inclined her head. “Indeed, kind sir. It would be my pleasure.”

March’s newfound hopes slammed to a halt much like a cantankerous horse refusing a jump at a hunt. “Please, we must be ready for disappointment. We’re not acquainted with this man. He may be worse than Lord Burns, who completely ignored us.”

Julia’s brows grew together in puzzlement. “Do you think that’s possible?”

“Of course,” March retorted. She clenched the missive in her hand as the familiar ire over their poverty rushed through her. Perhaps it was fear for her future. It made little difference at this point. “No one has taken the responsibility for our welfare seriously. None of my letters were ever answered.”

March paced the length of her bedroom. There was no use delaying the inevitable. She’d face her fate with her head held high. She had a right to her own money. She’d pledged to protect her family, and she’d keep that promise. “I’m leaving for London. Hart will accompany me. I’ll inform Mrs. Oliver of my plans.”

A fleeting glimpse of worry stole across Faith’s face, then her blue eyes narrowed as she tilted her head. “You’re concerned. Nay, frightened. What is it?”

Her sister was too observant by half. March tugged at the sleeves on her dress. A nervous gasp escaped on her next breath. If her sisters had any idea how low her morals had sunk, they’d understand the foreboding sense of doom that haunted her.

“Nothing. I have much on my mind.” Her lips tightened into a faint smile for her sisters. “There’s no cause to fret.”

At least not yet.

She needed to calm down. There was no possibility he could have discovered her one-thousand-pound withdrawal, and if he gave her access to the funds today, then he’d never learn of her deception.

Once again, she took command and proceeded with an assurance a trained Shakespearean actor would admire. “If I leave now, I’ll be in London within the hour.”

“I’m going with you.” A hint of steel tempered Faith’s gentle voice.

March shook her head. “There’s no need.”

Faith carefully made her way to block March’s pacing. “You can’t arrive at the marquess’s home with only Hart and no chaperone. If I travel with you, you’re least likely to garner unwanted attention.”

She didn’t trust her voice, so she nodded. Truthfully, having her sister for support would help her face whatever the marquess deemed important enough to demand her presence. He must be an arrogant man since he hadn’t even considered how she’d travel to town.

“I’ll come, too,” Julia enthused. The girl was still twirling in circles with her imaginary dance partner.

“No.” The clipped word caused Julia to stop midstride.

“Are you angry with me?” Julia’s voice quavered and her eyes grew wide.

How could she have she snapped at her little sister? No matter how many times she’d reassured her, Julia was still sensitive about March leaving.

She rushed to her side and tugged her sister into her arms. “Sweetheart, I didn’t mean to growl at you. It’s been a hectic day already.”

Julia nodded, but the previous brilliant light in her eyes had dimmed.

“Forgive me?” March whispered. For the world, she wouldn’t hurt Julia and felt absolutely abysmal now.

Julia nodded and swept a sweet kiss across her cheek. “Always.”

March returned the kiss. “I need you to stay with Bennett and help him with his history lesson.”

Julia rolled her eyes. “I’d rather memorize ten deportment lessons.”

March considered how much of a deportment lesson she could learn during the short ride to London. What was a proper introduction when meeting the man you were impersonating? What do you say when he discovers you write his name better than he does?





Chapter Three

March picked up the heavy iron knocker shaped in a lion’s head, and banged it against the massive mahogany door. “Thank you both for coming with me.”

Standing beside her, Uncle Hart studied March with a frank, assessing gaze. Such a look coming from him was akin to a thousand spiders dancing across her back. Slim, fair of face with light brown hair streaked with gray and blue eyes, he stood a little over six feet. Even though he was her father’s age, the years had been kind to him.