But she didn’t get up, barge in, and insist she take her sister’s place. She stayed squatted down there with her ear pressed to the keyhole. Though the debt wasn’t Henrietta’s to pay, it was highly unlikely―not just unlikely, but highly unlikely―he’d agree to marry Juliet in Henrietta’s stead.
A small, somewhat naughty smile curved her lips. They’d actually suit each other well. Henrietta was haughty enough to fit perfectly with him and his ilk.
Straining with her ear pressed against the door, she listened to their conversation once again as her parents continued to talk with Lord Drakely about the stipulations of the marriage. “Of course I’ll be willing to dower your other daughters, should they require a Season.”
Juliet frowned. Just who did he think he was buying her sister this way? He must truly have been smitten by her for the whole ten seconds he glanced at her to be offering so much. And what did he mean by: should they require a Season? They were poor villagers who just happened to have some distant―almost nonexistent―claim to lesser gentry. Juliet and her sisters would not be requiring Seasons. Not unless that was his way of “suggesting” they needed Seasons as a way to make her family appear more acceptable to his kind.
Pursing her lips, she almost shoved to her feet, bent on finding the key so she could open that door and tell that insufferable man what she thought of him and his “suggestion”; but instead of shoving to her feet like she so desperately wanted, she stayed anchored where she was, paralyzed, and entranced at the mention of her name. “Are you sure you wish to marry Juliet?” Mother asked, her tone full of what sounded like disbelief.
“She’s the one who went to school, isn’t she?” Lord Drakely countered.
“Well, yes,” Father acknowledged.
“Then we understand each other.” Lord Drakely sighed. “I know you two hoped she’d have a Season, and I have no doubt she’d have her pick of the gentleman if she were to go; but surely what I’m offering is the best arrangement for your daughter. She’ll still be close enough for you to see her regularly. She’ll also be guaranteed the title of viscountess―which, as you probably know, should she go to London, she may or may not marry a titled gentleman. And don’t forget, all the debt will be wiped away, so you won’t have to impose on your new son-in-law to pay it.”
“And just how will this benefit you?” Mother asked. She’d never been one for subtlety before, why start now?
“Well, she’s been to school so she’s been trained in what to expect being married to someone of my position.”
Juliet cringed at the casual tone in which he spoke those words. Or perhaps it was their meaning. It was hard to know.
“All right, then,” Father said. “As her guardian, I give my consent. Where do I need to sign?”
Lord Drakely chuckled and Juliet seethed. That was it? Nobody was going to ask her opinion?
“The idea just came to me last night,” Lord Drakely began nonchalantly. “In my haste to discuss this with you first, I haven’t had time yet to arrange contracts and such. I was actually hoping for a wedding at the end of the week. Would that be a problem?”
Yes! That would be a problem indeed, Juliet inwardly screamed as she jumped up and ran to the little board in the kitchen where a handful of keys hung from a couple of nails. She was not going to marry a man she didn’t even know. And worse, it looked like this grand event would be taking place sooner rather than later.
Grabbing all five keys that hung on the wall, Juliet stalked back across the kitchen. She didn’t know which key it was and didn’t want to waste another minute by coming back to the kitchen to grab another option. She would try them each one at a time if that’s what it took. The occupants of that room weren’t going anywhere. If only she hadn’t been so concerned about which dratted tea cups were suitable for a guest like him, she’d already be in that room.
Rounding the corner to leave the kitchen, she collided with Lord Drakely. “Pardon me,” she gasped as his firm hands landed on her shoulders and kept her from falling to the floor.
“It’s all right, Miss Hughes,” he said simply. He let go of her and continued walking down the hall without so much as a backward glance at the woman to whom he’d just affianced himself!
With a quick glance at her slightly shocked parents, Juliet chased after her betrothed, chastising herself for even thinking of him in such terms. “Lord Drakely! Lord Drakely!” she called as he climbed up in his carriage.
Poking his head out the open door, he blinked at her. “Yes?”