Chapter 14

A few days had passed since Aaron had opened up to Marina, and nothing she did seemed to be having an impact on him. She wanted nothing more than for him to see that she was on his side. She had even gone as far as sending Adam away, stating that she would invite him again soon.

What she had not expected was that her mother and sister would arrive for tea. She wished that their visit would not make things too much worse.

"You look wonderful darling." Johanna Wallace came forward, kissing her daughter on the cheek.

"And you look even better than I can remember. Have you been doing anything different, Mama?" Marina took a step back, holding her mother's hands in her own as she examined the color of her cheeks.

Her mother's eyes sparkled with life. "I think it is the weight of the world that has been lifted from your dear old Mama's shoulders, dearest. The house that the duke set up for me and your sister is magnificent, as is the stipend he sends to us every week. We want for nothing."

As if on cue, Prudence appeared at her mother's side, sporting the latest fashions that did not seem to improve her countenance. "Will your new husband be joining us for tea?" She instantly narrowed her eyes, her lips remaining pursed in a thin line.

Sensing a war, Marina reached for her sister's hands. "Now, you listen to me; I do not want you playing any tricks on the duke. He has done quite a lot for us, especially for you and Mama. You cannot treat him like you treated the baron." She used her sternest voice to get her point across.

"But he took you away from me and Mama," Prudence replied in a cool voice. The scowl never left her cherub face.

"He did not take me away, Prudence. We got married, there is a difference." Marina came up straight with a sigh, realizing that she would have to keep an eye on her sister.

"You should have married his brother! Adam Marner is far more handsome than the beastly duke." She said his name in such a dreamy tone that Marina looked at her mother with a frown.

Her mother mouthed the words ‘never mind' while shaking her head.

"May I go on ahead and greet the animals?" Prudence asked in a sweet tone that Marina did not quite trust.

"You may, but I am warning you, no tricks, young lady." She narrowed her eyes to convey her seriousness but could not help but smile as her sister scampered away.

It was easy to forget that Prudence was still a child. She had lost her father at thirteen and endured more than most by the time she was fourteen.

Looking back at her mother, Marina noted the exasperation on her face.

"I am afraid that your sister had developed something of a fancy for Mr. Marner. He is all she can talk about. Mr. Marner this, Mr. Marner that, I have to remind her that he jilted you at the altar!" Johanna explained in exasperation.

"Mr. Marner? Why on earth would she fancy him?" Marina raked her brain for any kind of redeeming qualities that her sister could have possibly seen in the man.

"He bumped into us after your wedding when we were out for tea. He insisted upon paying for us, even though I did tell him that the duke provides us with more than enough. And after humiliating us like that! Can you imagine the nerve of the man?" She pursed her lips in disapproval.

There is that competition again.

Marina saw right through Adam's kindness and his plan for paying for the tea. His hope was more than likely that the news would reach Aaron and a competition would ensue.

Her mother continued with an exasperated expression. "He made quite a fuss of her, you know, saying how pretty she is and that he knew she would grow up to be just as charming as her older sister. She has been taken with him ever since."

"Let's hope she grows out of it then. Mr. Marner is not only too old for her, but he is the last person that I wish to have as a husband for Prudence one day." She looped her arm into her mother's and led the way to the garden where tea was to be served.

Johanna chuckled, seeming more alive than she had in years.

He has done so much for us.

Marina could not help but feel a strong sense of urgency to have the man she had married connect with others.

"Lady Wallace." Aaron suddenly appeared around the corner, almost colliding with them.

"There you are, Your Grace. I was just about to come looking for you." Marina offered him a warm smile. "My mother and sister have come for tea.

Aaron eyed her wearily. "I hope you enjoy your tea then." He was about to step away when Marina let go of her mother's arm and gripped his arm firmly, looking him in the eyes.

"I thought you might like to join us for tea, Your Grace. I know that it would mean a great deal to all of us if you did." She stood her ground, unwavering beneath his untrusting glare.

"Of course, we would. I cannot think of many ways that I can repay you for your kindness; perhaps our company would suffice." Her mother joined in when an awkward silence ensued.

Hesitant at first, Aaron allowed himself to be led to the gardens, never joining in on the chatter.

All he needs is a little more time.

Marina could not help but glance at him whenever she could. She was not certain what had changed, yet her life's goal had suddenly changed, she wanted nothing more than to see her husband smile.

They had just about reached the section of the garden where they would enjoy their tea when Prudence suddenly appeared from behind a bush. The guilty look on her face suddenly made Marina cringe.

"Where have you been?" She looked at the slight muddy stains on her sister's dress and the mischievous glint in her eyes.

"I was waiting for His Grace to make an appearance, of course." She curtsied in an uncommonly polite manner that set Marina's nerves on edge.

Exchanging a worried glance with her mother, Marina decided to sit her sister as far away from the duke as possible. There had been one incident with the baron where his tea had turned out to be ink. That was one mistake that Marina was not willing to make again.

"Shall we?" Marina smiled and gestured for the group to head to the table while shooting her sister a warning glance over her shoulder.

Everything on the table beneath the giant oak tree seemed to be in place. The cakes seemed untouched while the cups all seemed clean. Marina did a double check of everything before taking a seat opposite Prudence where she could keep as close an eye on the girl as possible.

"Your Grace, may I pour your tea?" Prudence piped up quickly, eliciting warning bells from the older woman.

It was Johanna who jumped in quickly and put a stop to the idea. "I think Marina should be the one to pour his tea but thank you for offering." She forced a fake giggle that only succeeded in deepening Aaron's discomfort.

Taking the pot cautiously, Marina made sure to check the spout before pouring the tea.

Their mother seemed to lean forward as she craned her neck to see the color. "It is just tea, just normal tea." She laughed again, reaching for her youngest daughter's hand beneath the table and giving it a warning squeeze.

Aaron furrowed his brows, looking from Marina to her mother.

It took her a moment to trust the tea, but she breathed a sigh of relief with the fragrant and non-nauseating aroma wafted to her nose. "Milk, Your Grace?" Marina asked him with a smile as she placed the cup in front of him.

"Yes please." The duke seemed stiffer than anything else.

Eyeing the contents of the jug carefully, Marina began to pour the white liquid into the tea, watching closely for any signs of trickery.

"What is that over there?!" Prudence suddenly jumped to her feet and pointed past their heads.

Everyone jumped, causing Marina to spill some of the milk on Aaron.

"Your Grace! I am so sorry!" Marina hurried to clean the spill with a napkin while Prudence sat back and giggled.

"You must forgive my youngest daughter, Your Grace. She fancies herself something of a jester. It is a notion that I am trying to get rid of. Perhaps a few years in finishing school will do the trick." She turned her face to her youngest daughter with a scornful glare.

"Don't even mention it, Lady Wallace. I understand how children can be." Aaron offered a forced smile.

Being referred to as a child did not sit well with Prudence, as her smile quickly turned to a frown.

"Would you care for sugar, Your Grace?" Marina attempted to salvage the tea.

"Two please," he cleared his throat and adjusted his position in his seat.

The lumps of sugar dissolved easily in the tea, setting Marina's mind at ease as she gave the cup a gentle stir with a spoon before sitting back.

Prudence, who seemed to be watching his cup with a great deal of concentration, quickly snapped out of her daze when Marina offered her milk. "No thank you, I will not be having any milk or sugar." She quickly placed her hand over her cup and smiled.

Oh, Lord. What has she done?

Grubbing one of the lumps of sugar, Marina quickly turned away from the table and licked the cube.

Just sugar?

She turned back to her sister with a frown, recalling the time when Prudence had replaced the sugar in the larder with ones of salt.

"On second thought, I think I will have two lumps of sugar." Prudence held her cup out with a bright smile.

Raising her eyebrows, Marina obliged and gave her two lumps of sugar, wondering what it was that she had done.

Aaron took a sip of his tea and frowned, causing the pit of Marina's stomach to fall to her feet.

"Is anything the matter, Your Grace?" Johanna asked with a great deal of concern.

Licking his lips a few times Aaron eyed his cup of tea. "It tastes a little… fishy."

Placing the jug of milk back on the table, Marina glared at her sister. "Prudence. What did you do?"

"I do not know what you are talking about." Prudence looked away, shrugging her shoulders.

Recalling the large pond at the other end of the garden, Marina suddenly took the cup from Aaron and poured the contents into her saucer. Everything seemed fine at first until the final drops came oozing over the rim, plopping into the saucer.

"Are those fish eggs?" Aaron suddenly asked, looking a little green.

Shutting her eyes, Marina shook her head. "Your Grace, I am so, so sorry. I will fetch you a clean cup and have the milk jug cleaned."

"I think I have had enough tea for one afternoon. You may enjoy the rest of your visit without me." He pushed himself up from his seat and hurried away from the table.

Turning in unison, Marina and her mother both glared daggers at Prudence.

Aaron stood with his hands behind his back as he watched the ladies in the garden enjoying their tea. From what he could see from the window, Marina and her mother had given the young girl quite a talking to after he left the table.

He would have laughed under normal circumstances, but the taste of fish still lingered in the back of his throat. Even with the practical joke, Aaron had been looking for an excuse to leave the table.

I do not belong in her world.

He recalled the pity in her eyes when he had told her the truth in his chambers. A woman as pretty and fine as Marina deserved a husband who was not a monster. Not a man she would pity.

"Your Grace, the Baron of Wallace is here to call on you."

Aaron turned to the doorway with a frown when the butler suddenly announced the arrival. "Have him join the ladies for tea." He dismissed the intrusion, hoping to turn back to his thoughts.

"I have already suggested that, Your Grace. The baron is insistent upon seeing you, and not the ladies."

"Oh, very well, send him in." Aaron sighed reluctantly and made his way to his desk, taking a seat as the butler disappeared.

It did not take the man very long to reappear with the baron following close behind. "Baron Wallace, Your Grace."

Gesturing for the baron to have a seat, Aaron waited patiently for him to state his business.

"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Your Grace. I know that a man like you must be very busy." The baron fidgeted with the edge of his coat before taking a seat.

"What is it that you need, Wallace?" Aaron could already feel his patience thinning as the man spluttered.

"Straight to the point then, I see, very efficient. You see there, was the matter of Marina's dowry…" His face paled a little when Aaron moved his head from side to side, making a dull cracking sound.

"I excused the dowry payment to make amends for my brother's poor behavior." A sinking feeling that he knew exactly how the visit would end, began to take Aaron over.

"And a very generous gesture that was, Your Grace. It is just that taking care of her mother as well as her sister has not been cheap. The bulk of the estate passed to me, but only a small portion was left to the late baron's wife and daughters."

Aaron cut him short when he could see the direction that the conversation was headed. "And that expense has been lifted from your shoulders as well. I see to all of their needs now; none of the financial burdens are yours to bear."

"And I am grateful for that, Your Grace. It is just that I have looked after them for a whole year. I am sure you are aware of the fact that it takes a great deal of capital to look after young ladies. Had the Dowager Baroness accepted my offer of marriage from the beginning, I would have assumed more responsibility, but she chose not to accept," he muttered under his breath.

"Just what is it that you are asking of me?"

The man paled noticeably before flicking his tongue over his dry lips. "I was hoping that since you showed such generosity to Marina's mother and sister, you would be open to compensating me for my efforts as well."

"Money. You want money," Aaron remarked dryly, seeing the man for what he was. There had been rumors of the baron's greed, but he had not realized just how greedy the man was.

"Well, yes, I did foot the bill so to speak for a year." The baron lifted his head proudly.

Placing the palms of his hands flat on the desk, Aaron pushed himself up and stared down at the man. "Leave my house, Wallace. Leave and never come back here ever again."

The look of panic in the man's eyes was quickly replaced by one of anger. "I should have known that the stories about you were true. They said that your personality was just as hideous as your face. Well, I can see now that Marina will live a harsh life filled with cruelty if she is to stay married to you."

Pulling himself up to his full height, Aaron raised his voice. "Leave now before I have you thrown out!"

The baron cowered beneath his withering stare and scurried from the room, leaving Aaron alone as he slumped back into his chair.

Will I be doomed to live a life of scorn forever?

He ran his fingers over the scar on his cheek, wishing for the thousandth time that things could have been different.