Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

T he weak March sunshine hit their faces as Louise and Marcus stepped down from the carriage. It was turning into a beautiful day, and several ladies and gentlemen were already strolling through the park ahead of them.

Horses trotted amongst the crowds, curricles wound their way along the paths, and the air was alive with chatter and laughter. Marcus offered her his hand as she stepped onto the pale gravel, and they headed out together.

Hyde Park stretched before them, lush and green and inviting, and Louise smiled at him broadly as they began to walk. Not so long ago, she had walked these very paths with him under the watchful eye of her mother. Now, they could wander without scrutiny.

“Which direction would you like to go in?” Louise asked. “We could walk to the gate on the far side or perhaps go to the lake?”

Marcus’s hair fluttered lightly in the breeze as he looked around them, closing his eyes briefly and inhaling deeply.

“I believe anywhere would be perfect, as I have my friend by my side, but perhaps the water. I enjoy the stillness of it.”

Louise did not comment on his strange mood but squeezed his arm gently as they made their way down the path.

Ladies in their finest clothes passed her by, many with chaperones, and groups of silly girls giggling together sped past, laughing merrily at the jokes of their friends.

“This was an excellent idea,” Marcus said finally. “I have not been out in too long.”

“If you are tired, tell me, and we can stop and rest.”

“I believe it is good to move my limbs. My muscles have been very much weakened since my accident. I cannot bear the sight of my legs—they are as thin as twigs.”

Louise laughed softly. “Nonsense, we merely need to fatten you up. I believe your mother will make sure that they serve double the portions at every meal from here on out.”

Marcus’s smile was warm. “You may be right.”

They continued along the path, Louise’s mind a flurry of thoughts, wondering how best to broach the subject of his absence. Marcus seemed so changed somehow, as though there were a weight on his shoulders, and she did not wish to make him unhappy.

As they continued on their way, they passed a large tree to their left that towered above them, and she found her gaze drawn to its branches.

“That is a cedar of Lebanon,” she noted happily, gesturing to the enormous branches that stretched above her head. “It is one of my favorite trees. It symbolizes protection, strength, and wisdom.”

“Why is it your favorite?” Marcus asked in that same distant tone.

“I think it is the size of it more than anything. It is so lush and green. It looks as though it could protect you, don’t you think? If I were to become lost in its branches, I believe I would feel very safe.”

Marcus chuckled. “It is beautiful. How is your encyclopedia coming along?”

Louise thought of the night before when Christian had pulled the Gallic rose out of his coat pocket. His expression had been more earnest than she had ever seen it. The memory sent a confusing rush of affection through her, and she pulled out her notebook in order to distract herself.

“It is going well. I have cataloged a great number of flowering plants now. I am very interested in vegetables, too, and I have been speaking to Neilson about creating a vegetable patch in the garden. I think he believes me quite mad.”

“Neilson?”

“Christian’s gardener,” she clarified, handing him her notebook.

They released one another as he took it, and he began to leaf through the pages as they continued walking.

“Oh, of course,” Marcus said. “How my mind forgets things these days. Neilson’s father worked with the late Duke to design the garden, I believe. However, my mother was rather fonder of the country estate. She planted a secret garden there behind a little door concealed by ivy. It has a blanket of bluebells every year that are quite exquisite.”

“Did she really?” Louise exclaimed. “I had no idea. I suppose I shall see the country estate someday soon.”

Marcus glanced at her. “Of course, you shall. It is yours now, after all.”

“It is your brother’s estate, Marcus. I will simply reside in it.”

Marcus gave her a sideways look but said no more. He leafed through the remainder of her notebook and made a pleased sound as he handed it back.

“They are quite stunning, Louise. I always knew you would excel at so many things. Your drawings are beautiful.”

“Thank you,” she said, glowing with pride at his praise.

They continued walking, Marcus staring straight ahead of them at the groups of people wandering in the distance. A small boy was playing in the grass on the path’s edge, repeatedly spinning a tiny wooden top. Louise watched him, wondering what toys her children might have one day.

I wonder if Christian will be as distant a father as he has been a husband.

“I confess I was stunned when Mother told me about your marriage.”

Louise frowned as a twinge of guilt shot through her. She did not love Marcus in any romantic sense, but she still felt that she had betrayed him by marrying his brother without his knowledge.

“I can imagine it might have come as a shock,” she said hesitantly.

“A shock! Ha! You, who have always told me you had no intention of marrying, not to mention the fact that I have barely seen the two of you exchange two words until today.”

Louise scoffed. “It is hardly of any import—it is not a real marriage.”

Marcus looked down at her, frowning deeply. “Whatever do you mean? Mother told me you were married in St George’s in front of the whole ton.”

“Well, yes, but your brother does not truly want me for a wife.”

Louise came to a sudden stop in the middle of the path as those words left her lips. A wave of uncertainty and sorrow washed over her as she realized the truth of her statement.

Our entire marriage was arranged for Christian to discover the truth of what happened to Marcus. And here he stands beside me… What use am I to Christian now?

“Louise?” Marcus prompted, sounding perplexed. “What do you mean he does not want you for a wife?”

She eyed him carefully, unwilling to divulge the nature of Christian’s deal with her father just yet, uncertain herself how she felt about it even now.

“Only in as much as any marriage is an arrangement in Society. His priority is his club, and mine is my book. That is all there is to it.”

Marcus was quiet for so long that Louise’s stomach flipped unpleasantly.

“Louise… are you jesting?” Marcus asked as they approached the wide expanse of the lake at the edge of the park. A swan glided across the surface before them, graceful and serene over the rippling water.

“Of course, I am not jesting,” Louise said reproachfully. “He has no need of a wife—he has told me so several times.”

Marcus let out a long sigh. “Well then, perhaps he is jesting,” he muttered. Louise was about to ask what he meant by that, but he continued before she was able to. “How are your parents, by the way? How is your mother?”

They looked out over the calm surface of the water and the ducks quacking lazily on the bank to their right as pigeons circled and fluttered about their feet.

“They are the same as ever,” Louise replied warily. “Papa is relieved to be rid of me, I have no doubt, and Mama is doing well.”

Marcus’s arm loosened a little around hers, and he let out a soft sigh. “I am glad she is well,” he whispered.

Louise looked up at him quizzically.

“But how did your father allow you to marry a founding member of a rival club?” he asked.

Louise hesitated and decided that vague details were better than an outright lie.

“I believe my father had little choice. He has been struggling financially, and my marriage to your brother offered him some security.”

Marcus’s gaze darkened. “Gambling again?”

“The same. I thought he had improved of late, but it seems he was merely racking up debts in a different quarter. Christian told me that my father offered me as a prize in a bet, and he intervened to prevent someone less suitable from claiming me.”

“By God!” Marcus sounded revolted. “I pray that is not true. How could he do such a thing?”

“The same way he can do many foolish things—desperation and the belief that he will win at all costs. My father is a stubborn man. No matter what Christian says, I do not believe he would have made the bet if he thought he would lose.”

“I would have called the man out if he had attempted it.”

Louise heaved out a sigh. “Anyway, that is all in the past now. Let us not speak about such unpleasant things on such a beautiful day. What about you? How are you feeling?”

“Stronger than I have in an age if I am being honest. Six months felt like years. I have never been bedridden before—it is not an experience I intend to repeat.”

“Were you badly injured?”

“I took a rather nasty blow to the head. The village nearby was very small, and they did not have a doctor on hand who could attend to me. I remained in bed for almost two months without moving a great deal. Thankfully, the cuts and bruises I sustained did not become infected, and after a while, I was able to sit by the fire. I have been reminded of how special the small comforts of life can be.”

“And you did not lose your heart to a young woman who came to attend to you in the village?” Louise asked teasingly.

She expected Marcus to smile, but his face twisted slightly, a hint of disgust passing over it briefly before it settled into a more neutral mask.

“Nothing of the kind, I assure you. The lady of the house was a widow with three young boys. None of them were able to read, and once they found out that I could, I was charged with reading them stories night after night. It was a very pleasant pastime.” He turned, looking down at her fondly. “But I confess I was very eager to come back home. I have missed you.”

“And I you.” Louise grinned. “I was sure something terrible had happened to you. I woke up this morning forgetting that you had returned, and felt a deep sorrow in my heart—then I remembered, and I have never felt so happy.”

“I do not know what I have done to deserve you, but I am glad you are part of my family now,” Marcus said sincerely. “The thought of you marrying another man and moving away had not occurred to me until now, but I will forever be related to you because of my brother. You are truly my sister, and that is a comforting thought.”

Louise blinked up at him. “I suppose I am. Well, that is a reason to be happy about the marriage if nothing else.”

Marcus frowned at that, but Louise did not wish to talk about Christian any longer. It already felt as though she spent all of her time trying to push thoughts of him away, and now she was reconnecting with her best friend.

“When do you expect your encyclopedia to be finished?” Marcus asked, sounding genuinely interested.

“I imagine several months from now. Christian and I have agreed that I can take a year before… before I finish it,” she finished lamely. “I have much to do.”

“You will finish it in good time, I have no doubt. You are tenacious when it comes to such things.”

“And just as I promised,” she added happily, “you shall be the first person to see it.”

Marcus grinned. “I am truly privileged, in that case.”

“Indeed,” came a voice from behind them. “You are very much privileged, it would seem.”

Louise turned around to see Christian and the Duke of Stonewell standing before them, and Christian’s expression was one of carefully suppressed rage.