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“And then,” he continued, “to discover the woman is a liar? I cannot bear it.”

“Liar?” Mother interjected, speaking for the first time since he’d begun. “Marie is as honorable a woman as I have ever known.”

Charles scoffed. “Then what do you have to say about her words in the carriage? She obviously despises anything to do with adventures and being out of doors.”

“That is not what I heard,” Father said.

“Nor I,” Mother agreed.

“Then the two of you have been deceived,” Charles continued. “How often have you told me we are alike? And in what way are we alike?”

“She does enjoy being out of doors,” Mother insisted.

“And you both are trustworthy and honorable,” Father said.

Charles shook his head. His parents had obviously been charmed by the woman’s accomplishments so much that they could not see reality.

Marie had been lying clear as day about her love of the outdoors and adventuring—and the activities he’d mentioned. She had no desire other than to play her pianoforte and stitch indoors for the rest of her days, he was sure of it.

So how had she managed to lie her way into the hearts of his parents? Had she orchestrated this whole affair to trap Charles into marrying her since she couldn’t get married on her own?

“There is more to life than your adventures, son,” Mother said, setting her cup of tea down.

“I am well aware,” he stated. “Like family and friends—like Tristan, whom I shall now have to disappoint by canceling my hunting party with him.”

“Perhaps you could simply postpone it,” Mother suggested. “Spend two weeks with Marie on your bridal tour, then take her with you on your little trip.”

Charles ran his fingers through his hair. “She would be miserable, and would therefore make me miserable.”

“Perhaps she could learn to love the outdoors as greatly as you do,” Mother said.

“Stranger things have been known to happen,” Father agreed.

Charles huffed, frustration overcoming him again. “You are both missing the point. Did you not hear the fact that she was lying to me? Does this behavior not cause you alarm?”

“She did not lie,” Mother said, matching his exasperation. “She was merely stretching the truth so you might not be disappointed in her answers.”

“Stretching the truth is as good as lying,” Charles said. “Or must we ask Mr. Berryman his opinion on the matter?”

“You think he’d take your side in this?” Father said with a laugh, and Mother joined in.

Charles turned away, frowning. Father was right. The vicar had had it out for him from the start. No doubt he’d helped Marie with this entire affair, too.

“What am I to tell Tristan?” he asked pointedly.

“That you are married,” Mother said. “Otherwise you would be stretching the truth.”

Father hid his smile by taking a sip of his tea.

Charles shook his head, moving a few steps away and pacing the room once more. “Am I the only one with any sense around here? How am I to be married to a woman who isn’t truthful?”

“Oh, and you are so very truthful all the time?” Mother asked.

“I am, yes.”

“Really?” she pressed.

“Yes.”