Page 13 of His Bluestocking Bride

“You know about my mother’s stipulations?” he asked, studying her profile. The red was receding and Ellen began to look more stoic. She nodded to answer his question. “Yet you think that I am out here, walking about in this abysmal cold, because my friend and his wife put me up to it?”

Ellen shrugged and adjusted her cloak, pulling it more tightly around her. “Yes. I think you made them a promise and you are now fulfilling it.”

Marcus reached for her hand, which she relinquished to him with a curious expression. He pulled her to a low retaining wall with naught but fallow earth inside it and gestured for her to sit. Once she did so, her eyes still on him, he ran a hand through his hair and looked up to the sky, hoping for some guidance.

“I promised Collin and Marianne nothing. They asked nothing. They presented the idea to me, informed me of their thoughts on the matter, and left it at that. I had no reservations about considering you as a bride, except that you might want better than such as I am.” He tried to make light of those words and even managed a grin after he said them. “I have been told in clear terms that the second son of an earl, with one small country estate, is not the best catch.”

A snort surprised him, coming from her slight frame. “If the requirements for a good marriage were that a man must have a title and vast tracts of land, where would any of us be? I fail to see how your wealth or title matter so much as whether or not you can support a family and will treat those under your care with fairness.”

She spoke with sincerity, her tone almost wistful.

“Those are the things that matter to you in a husband? Fairness? Basic provision?”

“Oh.” She smiled in a self-depreciating way. “I suppose I made my list as any schoolgirl does. But I know what matters most. Safety and relative comfort. Kindness. Intelligence is something I must add, as it would be dreadful to be stuck with a lack wit.”

His heart thrummed hopefully in his chest. He could give a wife those things. After all, she hadn’t mentioned love.

Marcus stepped forward, hopeful for the first time in weeks. “Then you would consider it?”

She blinked up at him, confusion written across her features. “Consider what?”

He wanted to kick himself. He had not actually asked her, and Ellen was under the impression he would never would. “Consider marrying me. I find that you are precisely the sort of wife I would seek.”

Ellen gaped at him, all the color leaving her cheeks. He rushed to say more before she could say no. “Unless you have your hopes set on being a spinster, as you said before. I can give you those things. Safety and security. I will be a kind and honorable husband. I will make certain you have all that you need. And I am somewhat intelligent, even if I have done a terrible job of proposing to you. You cannot really blame me for that.” He attempted to use his charm again, to tease a smile from her. “You brought up the topic, so my speech is not prepared at present. But I could say a few pretty things later if you like.”

She stared at him with such shock he couldn’t guess what else was in her thoughts. Before he attempted another word, she lowered her hands to grip the side of the wall and looked down at the stone walkway.

“The pretty things are not necessary. In fact, I would prefer if we left pretty out of this discussion entirely and focus on the plain words. You would marry me to get your inheritance?”

“I must marry,” he stated firmly. “And I would prefer my wife to be a woman of my choosing. A woman who will be a good partner in marriage and the running of an estate. Orchard Hill is not much at present, but it has a great deal of potential. If I have someone sensible running my home, I can focus on the land and income. I can make something greater of our holdings, to benefit future generations.”

Her chest rose and fell as she gulped in air, looking stricken. Pained, almost.

“Have I said something to upset you?” he asked, dropping to one knee before her in an attempt to better see her face. “Ellen? Are you unwell? I must’ve shocked you.”

“Something like that, yes,” she murmured, not meeting his gaze. “This is very sudden. I thought you would laugh about Collin and Marianne’s idea and we would part as friends. Your proposal—it is a great deal to take in. May I have time to think on it?”

He had startled her. He approached the whole matter like a complete fool. But she did not turn him down immediately. If she was as sensible as he believed, she would seriously consider the offer and accept him. Why not? He fulfilled all her stated requirements.

Hope rose within him and he had to repress a smile. “Yes. Take all the time you need, Ellen. I will not press you for an answer now. I am grateful Marianne and Collin brought us together. Meddlesome as they are.”

The corners of her lips turned up briefly. “They will never let us hear the end of this.” Though it sounded suspiciously like an agreement to his proposal, he did not press her. “Would you please go in and act as though nothing has happened? I don’t wish to discuss this with our hosts at present. I need to compose my thoughts.”

“Clearing cobwebs of my making this time.” He lifted her hand from the wall, surprised by the grip she had on the stone. He bowed over it. “Good morning, Ellen.”

“Good morning, Marcus.” She nodded but otherwise did not move. He released her and went into the house, his step light. Even if she did not accept his suit, at least the moment of uncertainty was over. He had not known how to approach the subject with her, but Ellen took the matter in hand. He blessed Marianne’s inability to keep a secret.

If Ellen said no, he would have reason to fret again. But for now, he would find some calmness of spirit in hope.

His last marriage proposal hadn’t gone well. It had nearly destroyed who he was, and certainly unmade the world and his place in it. But this was different. There was no risk here. He hadn’t given his heart away. He had been wise, practical, and as near to indifferent as one could be when proposing.

Though it had not been his intention to lay the matter before Ellen so soon, it relieved him to have it over with. He had to wait for her answer.

Chapter Six

Ablue sky was a rare sight in December, but Ellen did not take it as a good omen. She looked up at the light color, a shade for which she had no name, from the window seat in Marianne’s morning room. True to his word, Marcus hadn’t told their hosts of his unexpected proposal, and neither of them spoke in private for the rest of the day.

Marianne and Collin shared several knowing glances across the dinner table the previous evening. Ellen had tried to ignore them. The couple was as invested in the matchmaking scheme as ever.