Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

T he sun was bright, and the weather calm, but Marina did not feel as though she could enjoy the beauty of the parks. She and Olivia strolled together along the path where they were meant to meet the Duke in short order. Their younger siblings played together nearby, shepherded forward by their ever-patient governess. Days like this were the kind that the eldest Linfield daughter looked forward to the most, but this day she felt unwell. Her stomach churned with anxiety, and despite the midday warmth, the girl could not shake the chill that surrounded her.

"A merry day, is it not, ladies?" Their father was beaming with pride as he always did when he brought his children out to parade them and their fine clothing to the rest of the ton. Marina did not share his joy but did her best to maintain a pleasant look about her. It would not do any good to bring scandal upon their name by appearing as she felt before the eyes of London society.

"Quite, Papa," Olivia answered mildly though her eyes were trained on her sister. "The new flowers for the season are remarkable, do you not think, Marina?"

"They're nice." Marina's voice was soft and tepid, free of any commitment to any particular persuasion of emotion.

"Carlisle!" Her sparkling eyes swiveled to find the source of the voice which had called out. Walking briskly toward them was none other than her betrothed. Marina despised that she noticed the depth of color in his eyes that the sunlight had illuminated and was further irritated by the feeling his smile impressed upon her as she saw it for the first time since the night of the ball. Something like butterflies all aflutter.

She supposed that was what rakes did. They charmed those around them and got whatever they wanted in return. Why, she wondered, was it her that he wanted now, all of a sudden?

"Your Grace. How do you do?" The Earl reached out to shake Phillip's hand as he came upon them. "It is quite nice out today, is it not?"

"Well, and you?" the Duke asked in kind. "The weather is splendid," he agreed. His attention turned to Marina, but she diverted her gaze and gave him pause before addressing her. The moment of silence gave her father enough time to chime in.

"I think I speak for us all when I say that we are feeling quite splendid today, Your Grace. Will you walk with us, then?"

"I should very much like to, but I have come to ask your permission to take a walk with Lady Marina for a bit, so we might get to know one another."

Marina glanced at Phillip despite herself and saw one side of his mouth twitch upward in a quick smirk when he caught her looking out of the corner of his eye.

"Of course," her father said. "Marina?"

Phillip turned, then, to look at her, one eyebrow raised expectantly. She gave a tight-lipped smile, bowing her head in agreement.

"Very well. It's settled then," Richard affirmed with a low chuckle. "We will meet with the two of you again at the back of the park."

Marina gave Olivia a kiss on the cheek then smiled brightly and waved to Emily and Nicholas. She and Phillip fell into step next to one another, taking the path that diverged from the one her family was on. Her lady's maid silently fell into step behind them to act as chaperone. Marina glanced back at her, a pained look darkening her features for just a moment. Had her mother still been alive, it would have been her accompanying them, and Marina would have felt one thousand times better about the outing.

They were quiet at first, strolling through the crowded gardens. Marina shrank beneath the curious glances of the other park-goers. They had read about the engagement by that time, of course, but their appearance together in public would affirm the rumors. Marina's stomach churned though she could not tell whether it was with pleasant apprehension or nervousness.

Phillip broke the silence stretching between them.

"I know that our previous meetings have been rather brief. I would like for us to get to know each other. It would be nice to enter our marriage feeling amicable towards one another."

Marina looked at him, and he studied the strange look on her face, unsure what to make of it until she spoke.

"Why did you ask my father for my hand?"

It was not accusatory nor mean, but it took Phillip by surprise anyway. This direct woman beside him was nothing like the terrified, flighty thing he'd met out in the gardens. It brought a smile to his reluctant lips. She was not at all like women he'd met, who were so skillful at covering their own feelings and opinions that he sometimes wondered if they had any at all.

"I learned from a dear friend of mine that you'd been betrothed to a man old enough to have been your own father."

"What concern was it of yours?" Her voice was still even but curious. She seemed aware that people might be listening in but did not seem put off by it. Phillip grinned, surer now that he had chosen the correct future duchess.

"I felt it an offense to your station and reputation," he answered her dismissively. "It seemed you would be unhappy in such a marriage. Was I wrong?"

"How did you know where to find me?" she asked instead, ignoring his question.

"I made your father's acquaintance at the ball after—" Phillip glanced back at the lady's maid who was, at least, pretending not to listen before continuing, "—my trip to the garden. He spoke quite highly of you, and I realized who you were when I saw you depart together."

"Why would you propose to anyone this soon after returning?"

"Marrying has always been my motivation for returning to England. It is part of what I must do to assume my new role and take on the duties imparted to me." He paused, glancing at her before continuing, "There is no need to wait when I am sure of what I want."

"Was it also your intention to choose a wife among the many of us who were dealt poor hands in an engagement? Did you decide upon me because you felt inclined to save me from my fate?"

Their eyes met as Phillip considered how much of the truth to tell her. Marina had already proven her intelligence to him, and he knew that lying to her would be out of the question. But how much information would it take to satisfy her? Could he give it to her in pieces until she ended her interrogation?

"Saving you, as you put it, was one motivation, yes."

"Why me? Why not meet other girls with poor offers and examine your options?"

"I felt that if I had saved you once already, I could certainly do it again."

Marina frowned at his teasing, but Phillip was delighted by her reaction to him. He was enjoying the banter which was playful on his part and important on hers. "What are the others?"

"The others?"

"Your remaining motivations."

"It was clear to me that we would both benefit from the arrangement. It appears we have similar interests. I wish to be married. You wished not to be married to someone below your value."

"Is that all?" she asked, seemingly dissatisfied by his answers.

"Not at all. You were the only lady of adequate status and beauty who showed any interest in me all night."

Marina's face flushed, and she lost her conviction to continue questioning him. She squared her shoulders and stared straight ahead, but her blush did not escape the Duke's notice.

"You're blushing. Have I embarrassed you?" he asked gently, lips curled into a smile. "Was I correct then in my observation? You are interested."

"We have been walking for quite some time now under the warm sun," she answered briskly. "I must be overheating, Your Grace. Perhaps burning. Let us hurry to the back where there are more trees for shade."

Phillip smiled, slipping around to her other side where he could block the sun from shining on her. He said nothing, looking ahead as they walked at a quicker pace toward where her family would be waiting for them. She had shown her siblings kindness like this, but rarely had someone taken the time to do so for her.

For a second, Marina thought that her marriage might work out after all. As long, that was, as Phillip could bring himself to remain at the Hayward Estate at night. Marina still felt weary of him. How could a rake be a rake one day and a gentleman the next? It felt too soon for a real change to have been made to his character, and Marina did not want to spend the rest of her life concerned about whom her husband was spending his nights with.