Page 28 of Mr. Eastwood’s Match

The bold statement made her blush, and her lips parted, but she could not think what to say.

As though sensing her sister-in-law’s discomfort, Juniper spoke with more lightness of feeling than her husband had. “An honorable, steady, reliable man is certainly the sort of things one wants in a husband. But it is not the whole of things. Nor ought it to be, Jack. There is so much more to a happy match than that.”

Jack’s smile returned when he looked at his wife, the expression softer now, and his shoulders rose in a slight shrug. “We must all begin somewhere practical, wife. Mustn’t we?”

“Yes. What every woman wants to hear in regards to a suitor. ‘Practical,’” she said with pursed lips as she lifted her teacup again. “Do you think that is why I fell in love with you, Jack? Practicality?”

That made the man blink, his head tilting back as though startled. “Well. No. I suppose not.”

“No, indeed. It is a good trait in a husband, but hardly the most romantic one to focus on. I favored your intensity, as well as your honor, and your loyalty toward those you love.”

To Emily’s surprise, her brother’s ears turned pink.

“I am certain, er, that the baron—well. He must have other good qualities.”

“Certainly. But Emily must find those for herself. If she even wishes to do so.” Juniper tilted her head toward Emily. “Well? What do you think? Do you wish to go on a tour of York this afternoon? With the baron as your guide?”

Emily looked from Juniper’s raised eyebrows to Jack’s pointed stare. She put the square of paper on the table and lifted her fork to resume eating her now-cold eggs.

She gave the best answer she could. “A ride with Lord Hartwell sounds like a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.” Perhaps she needed to know the baron better to feel as at ease with Roman Eastwood as she was with his younger brother. He was all the things a respectable man ought to be, and Jack liked him, and her family would benefit from a match with such an established family as the Eastwoods.

A practical marriage would not be the worst future for her. And such a union began with a practical courtship. Not everyone could have a love match, like Jack and Juniper. Even if Emily wanted such a thing, there was no promise of obtaining it.

“Excellent.” Jack’s smile melted into something that looked like relief.

A stone dropped heavily into her stomach. Relief? Was he so eager to see her wed? A glance at Juniper showed her sister-in-law as poised as ever. If only Emily had been born into her position. Then she might have had half of Juniper’s ability to remain calm and graceful no matter her feelings.

“I will write to Hartwell at once and let him know you have accepted his invitation,” Jack added when Emily said nothing, pushing his chair away from the table as he rose. “Half-past two. Do not forget.”

“I do not think I could,” she admitted, that stone in her stomach settling deeper.

At the appointed time, she stood on the steps of her brother’s cottage, next to Juniper, waiting for the baron to arrive in his gig.

“Your brother means well,” Juniper said, hands folded around her gothic novel. “He wants you to be safe and looked after by someone he trusts. And, given your family is still finding their footing in Society, he feels it is his responsibility to help you secure a good match. Whether or not you wish for one, at present.”

“I have no objection to marrying. I am five-and-twenty. I do not feel too young to know my own mind, nor too old. I am not yet on the shelf, as they say.” Emily fidgeted with the strings of her reticule, twisting them around each other rather than leaving it on her wrist. “I want to make Jack and my parents proud. Everyone else in my family is still coping with our elevation in status. If I marry well, it is one less thing for anyone to worry about.”

Juniper’s entire person turned toward her at that, her eyes round. “Dear me. Is that what you think?”

The sound of wheels on gravel grew nearer, and both turned to see the gig coming up the short drive from the road to the cottage.

“He is here,” Emily breathed, absently tying the strings into a knot that would not come undone easily. “I must go.”

“Yes, darling.” Juniper touched her arm, pulling Emily’s attention back to her. “But listen to me, Emily. You should not court or wed anyone if you do not like them, or do not want to. Your happiness matters most of all.”

What could she say as the carriage pulled to a stop? She nodded and leaned forward, giving Juniper a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. I will think on that.” Then she went to the gig, where Lord Hartwell waited to help her up, his expression as stoic as always, and he touched the brim of his hat as he nodded to Juniper.

“I will have her back in an hour, my lady.”

“I hope you enjoy yourselves.” Juniper waved empty hand, though her eyes met Emily’s one more time, laden with concern. “It sounds like you will have a most educational drive.”

The gig, open to the air around them, was well sprung. Taller than she was used to, it gave her a lovely view of the surrounding countryside. The leather was so polished it shone, and the rest of the vehicle gleamed as though it were new from the maker. Two horses, matching grays, pulled it. For a moment, she worried he might drive faster than was safe. Though the model was not as sleek as those she had seen young men racing down the lane, it was frightfully stylish.

But Roman Eastwood did not startle her with a wild dash down the road. He gave the horses gentle enough direction, and they clipped along at a steady, unhurried pace.

“I am pleased you agreed to this outing,” he said as they left the cottage behind. “I confess, I was uncertain you felt you knew me well enough to spend an hour in my company alone. We have not made much conversation between the two of us yet.”

“No, I do not suppose we have.” Emily put effort into keeping her tone pleasant and light. “I am thankful for the invitation. York is such a delightful town, and it seems I learn of some new piece of history every time I walk down its streets. I admit, after my conversation with your mother on the New Walk, I thought it more likely she would be the one to give me such a tour.”