An Unwanted Wife

Chapter 4

Lauren asked one of her grandmother's maids, Sally, and a footman to stand in the back garden and watch her walk across the alley which separated the townhouses her grandmother and her parents owned. Her paternal grandparents gifted the townhouse to her parents after their marriage making Lauren wonder if they sensed how awful their new daughter-in-law would be at parenting. The small garden of her parents was empty and quiet apart from birdsong, tempting her to sit alone for a spell, but she knew she didn't dare.

Her mother and younger sisters were sitting in the drawing room, discussing the gentlemen who called on the twins in the morning. Gemma was frowning, her face transforming into a glare at Lauren the moment she entered the room.

"This is all your fault!" Gemma began to shout.

"Gem, doesn't start on Lauren." Her twin answered back. "She's not to blame for ton gossip."

Gemma sneered. "You're such a goose, Jacinda. Of course, she is! Why'd you have to be the one monopolising all his time?"

Lauren spoke quietly, but firmly. "How is it your problem that Lord Ravenwood wants to spend time with me? Spit it out now, Gemma. You've never been one to hold your tongue."

"Lauren, apologise to Gemma at once! This is indeed your fault. All the callers wanted to talk about was you dancing with that God awful man!"

Lauren bit her lip. "Gemma, I'm sorry it ruined your day. It'll blow over soon."

"Indeed, it will." Her mother agreed, with a derisive laugh. "Lauren can't possibly hold keep his interest for long."

Lauren swallowed, thinking now is a good time to announce their next outing. Her father walked into the room at the same moment she explained. "Lord Ravenwood has kindly invited Grammy and I to go with him to a museum tomorrow."

"He did what?!" Gemma screeched at full volume, her face going red in anger. "Make it stop, Mother!"

"Which one?" Her father calmly asked Lauren.

"There's a new Rembrandt exhibit at the British Museum."

He smiled at her, shocking Lauren to the core. "It's quite thoughtful of him to invite you and Grammy. He must like you to see you again so soon after this morning."

"Gemma darling, your father is right. We can't slight him, as long as he's showing any interest in Lauren. He's too highly ranked." Gemma was their mother's favourite child, as they looked and acted alike, so it was highly unusual for their mother to not rush to her side of any argument. "Believe me, I'm as shocked as you are."

Jacinda smiled warmly at her older sister. "I think it's wonderful, Lauren. He's the ideal gentleman."

Lauren remained quiet and introspective, but smiled her thanks to Jacy for the thoughtfulness of her younger sister's reply. She felt shy talking about James with them, in fear she'd give away how much she genuinely liked him. She took a knitting project out of the basket next to the chair where she sat to occupy her hands, a wool scarf for her father. She was nearly finished with the rows by supper.

She was unable to sleep that night, restless at the thought of seeing James again the next day and wondering why he was showering her with attention when he could have his pick of women. He was such a gentleman, so he'd never commented about her attire; however, it didn't stop her from wondering if he found what she wore pleasing or not. For the first time, she wished her gowns were more fashionable, so she wouldn't be a disappointment to him.