Eight

Gwendolyn

"What a handsome man," Mother cooed at supper a few hours after the Marquess of Devon departed.

I clenched my teeth once again, calculating what words I should say. "He's Josiah's twin, Mother. Of course, he's handsome."

One of the few points I offered an accord on.

Hunter, though we had not agreed to calling one another by our Christian names, could not be called the Marquess of Devon without me thinking of his scoundrel brother. I weighed the similarities and differences. The man I met today exuded confidence much like Josiah, but unlike his brother, he seemed to keep his pride in check.

Josiah's smooth charm beguiled me from the beginning. It started with a wink, a smile, and undivided attention. Then I quickly learned in our courtship that he did not reserve those traits solely for me. Whispers, mistruths, and disappearances were more characteristic of the man, and then I learned of the duel. Three days following his demise, a long line of kept women surfaced in the society columns. One discourse suggested he provided a living for an actress and an opera singer simultaneously.

He, a perpetual rake.

I, a perpetual fool.

And though I didn't see this deceptive side from Hunter today, he could very well be putting on a fa?ade. Men were skilled like that. After all, he had injuries on his face that may have come from a man issuing justice for similar behavior.

"The gentleman carries quite a presence," Mother continued. "Perhaps it comes from his years at war."

Though I could not deny the disobedient flutter in my chest upon his entrance, and a smile that nearly took my breath away, I kept a stranglehold on my emotions. Hunter Matthews was nothing more than a devilishly attractive gentleman of the ton who just so happens to be my future husband. And before anyone gets overhasty, the words from his father's own lips echoed loudly between my ears. The Matthews family expected very little of me. We will remain virtual strangers… with a child or two.

"Yes." She tapped her finger against her lips. "Quite handsome," she repeated.

"You said that already," I muttered.

"And not for one moment did I feel as if I addressed Josiah."

"Thank goodness for that," I added.

"What, dear?"

"Nothing."

"Wouldn't you say that went well, Stanton?"

"Yes," Father agreed. "He will do his duty precisely as expected." Then he glanced at me. "And you will do yours."

I rolled my eyes as subtly as possible.

"I know we discussed a suitable mourning period for Josiah, but I imagine his family is as anxious as ours to put the past behind us." Mother tried to continue a conversation with Father, though his mind was clearly elsewhere. "What did Lord Chilton say about the date?"

"Huh?" He stared at her vacantly, unaware that she continued talking. I watched their awkward exchange and sighed. So, this is what my future looked like in twenty-five years. Oh, never mind, for we will be in different houses speaking with ourselves.

"What did Lord Chilton say about the date?" she repeated but did not seem bothered by his oblivious demeanor.

"He left it up to us to ascertain."

Never . There. I said the word silently. It's ascertained.

"The sooner the better," she exclaimed. "We should have a wedding before the Season truly begins."

"What?" Panic rose in my voice. This gave me little time to thwart the whole event.

"Yes." Mother's voice grew louder with confidence. "With a fiancé who bears such striking features… it would be wise to make the vows while his eyes are solely focused on you and not the fresh young misses arriving to distract him." She took a genteel bite of her roasted meat and chewed slowly before she spoke again. "We waited far too long with the last. We cannot survive another scandal."

I clenched my hands in my lap as heat trickled up my spine and settled on my cheeks. Indeed! Did she believe I had something to do with Josiah's infidelity? That I possessed the ability to keep a man from being a blackguard? More importantly… did they believe this was all my fault? That I turned Josiah away from me? I didn't become the Ice Princess until well after I learned of his indiscretions.

"The preparations will surely take longer." I offered a poor attempt to delay the process.

"There is hardly anything left to do." She waved a hand around the room. "Your wedding to Josiah was nearly complete. Nothing has changed."

"Well, there is that one tiny detail… the groom," I mumbled again.

Mother frowned at my lack of excitement. "Hardly worth creating hysteria over."

Me? Hysteria? I stared at her in shock. I was the least likely person in this family to ever show any emotion, much less hysterics.

"Let us buy a new gown, Gwen. A green satin to match your eyes." Mother sat a bit taller. "Actually, let's buy several gowns to celebrate our new beginning." She reached for my hands. "We have been given a second chance. You have been given a second chance."

I bit my bottom lip to keep my sharp words from spilling out and saying something regretful. Though I knew very little of Josiah's twin, I vowed to never allow myself to be humiliated like this ever again. Even if Hunter excessively drank, gambled, or took risks, I would take any of those vices over him being a libertine on any day of the week.