Page 38

His father continued without taking a breath. “What I mean to say is that your mother and I have decided. It is for the best. She is from a good family and seems of good temperament. I do believe to have heard you were acquainted with her before her unfortunate incident.”

Miles could only stare silently at his father. Was he still delirious? Unable to speak, he inhaled sharply.

“Plans have commenced for an engagement gala, it seems.” His father shook his head. “Both your mother and hers are a-tither with excitement.”

Miles sat forward. “This was all decided yesterday?”

His father’s wide shoulders lifted and lowered. “I do believe your mother had already decided it had to be. She got wind of the vicious rumors and decided an immediate stop would be put to them with an engagement. I am also sure she pounced on the state of affairs to ensure you get married.” To Miles’ surprise, his father began to laugh. “She’s got you.” The duke tried in vain not to continue laughing but failed. “I am sorry, son. Certainly you would not mind marriage to such a beauty.”

“Father this is not comical. I should have a say in whom I marry.” Miles found it strange that he did not feel as indignant as he sounded. “I barely know the woman. Besides, since when does Mother give credence to silly gossip?”

His father looked at the door and Miles turned to see his mother entering. Her face was bright as she looked at him. “I am so glad you are well, darling. We have much to do. As I’m sure your father has informed you, the Blairs came yesterday demanding you marry their daughter.”

“And you had no choice but to agree,” Miles stated dryly.

His mother gave a curt nod, her happy expression belying her words. “Indeed, your father and I had little choice. But you must admit that she is a delightful lass.” Her Scots burr was accentuated by her excitement. “Oh Miles. She will be wearing lavender.”

If not for the situation, Miles would have laughed. Lavender was his favorite color. Instead, he let out a long breath. “Have you considered that I do not wish to marry?” He’d told them this repeatedly. Of course, they were aware of his feelings. But apparently his desires about his own life were not enough to stop their desires that he should and must marry.

His mother turned away from him to appeal to his father. “Leon, explain to your son that an agreement has been forged. He must marry Siobhan Blair.”

“I am sitting right here, Mother, you can explain it to me. How could I become engaged, when not present?” His tone was sharper than he’d intended, but he was becoming annoyed at the situation.

His father stood and gave him a pointed look. “Do not take that tone with your mother. An agreement has been made between our families. You will be getting married. Now, go to the tailor and have a suit made for the event.”

“Ah yes.” His mother was once again alight with joy. “The engagement gala will be next week.”

*

His three friends were stunned into silence after Miles casually invited them to his engagement party. “A formal invitation will be coming, of course, but I wanted to ensure that as my closest friends you were aware before anyone else.”

“This is rather sudden,” Grant said, staring at him as if able to find something to hint as to what really happened. “I wasn’t aware you were courting the lass.”

“I wasn’t,” Miles said, not offering more of an explanation. In truth, he was quite enjoying the moment when his friends looked as blindsided as he’d felt earlier.

Evan narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips before stating, “You jest, to get a rise from us. Surely you, the ultimate confirmed bachelor, are not going to be marrying someone you’ve yet to court, much less bed.”

“Did you bed her?” Henry asked, a look of disbelief on his handsome face. He turned to the others. “As to jesting, he called us here for an urgent meeting. If it is not about the ship, then I expect there is some truth to what he says.”

Once again, they grew silent. “What happened?” Evan finally asked.

Miles informed them of the harrowing rescue, which they’d already heard about and then about her mother immediately starting the rumors in an effort to trap him into marriage. But he felt compelled to add, “Siobhan herself is adamant against being forced into marriage. She told me she’d never wish to marry someone against their will—at least, that’s what she told me one of the last times we spoke.”

He drank the last bit of his whiskey, and the glass was immediately refilled by Grant. “Continue.”

“Then, our mothers got involved. Hers with the agenda of her daughter marrying well, of course, and mine glad to finally have the opportunity for grandchildren.”

There was a clearing of throats as his friends fought not to laugh.

He shook his head and let his shoulders slump. “Go ahead and laugh. My own father seems to think the entire thing is humorous. Even though we’re talking about marriage. It is the rest of my life. I honestly have a hard time finding it comical that I’m being pushed into a state of marriage without my permission or will.”

Grant nodded. “Although I would never consider it as I am deeply in love with my wife, it is not uncommon for a man of your status to have a lover. So you can decide not to be confined to the marriage bed only.”

Miles frowned. “I would not cheat on my wife. Why would you think I would? Do you think I would?” Did his friends have such a low opinion of his integrity? Did he? He was growing confused and considered that perhaps he should return to his townhouse and spend time alone in thought.

“I do not think you would if you were happily married.” Henry motioned around the room. “No one here even considers it. But we all married for love, not because we were forced into an arrangement.”

The words sprang to his lips before he had time to even consider them. “What if I love Siobhan? What say you then?”