Marissa froze. Of course they would think she meant George. How could she not have remembered that?
“No, Father,” she began, “it isn’t—”
But he wasn’t listening. “Eleanor,” he was saying to his wife, “we must be sure to book the botanical society rooms at once! We will have the reception there after the wedding. And for her bouquet, what do you say to a selection of ferns among the roses?”
Lady Bethany looked from one to the other and shook her head in disgust. Marissa’s voice rose in dismay, not sure whether to laugh or cry at the confusion.
“Please, Father, Mother, listen to me!”
The sudden silence was unnerving. Her parents were gazing at her in consternation, but in another moment they would be peppering her with questions, so she made the most of it.
“I am not marrying George. I am marrying his brother, Valentine.”
Consternation turned to astonishment. “Who?” her father burst out, while her mother put her palms to her cheeks in shock.
“Valentine, Lord Kent. He has asked me to marry him and I’ve consented.”
“But…what of George?” her mother cried. “I thought it was George you were fond of. I don’t understand. Dear me, Marissa, this is all very disturbing.”
“Marissa is engaged to marry Lord Kent,” Lady Bethany said loudly and clearly. “It is not disturbing at all, Eleanor. It is a very good thing.”
Her father was frowning and then suddenly his brow cleared. “Lord Kent?” he said. “Of course, Lord Kent! The rose authority. Well, this is a pleasant turn of affairs. Not that we didn’t like George, Marissa,” he added hastily, catching his wife’s warning glance, “but Lord Kent is so much, eh, eh, more suitable.”
“Oh yes, in every way,” Lady Bethany agreed knowingly. “Wait until you meet him.”
“I thought he was a recluse?” the professor said.
“Not at all,” Marissa replied. “Although he does prefer the country to London, it is his work that keeps him from socializing as he might wish.”
“Is he in London now?” her mother asked, eyes wide. She was beginning to remove her apron, as if she was afraid Valentine might be about to walk in on them.
“Yes, he is. I have taken the liberty of asking him to dine with us this evening, Mother.”
Eleanor’s expression showed sheer panic at the thought of impromptu entertaining, but Lady Bethany patted her arm reassuringly. “I will speak to cook, my dear, don’t worry. All will be as it should be. Now,” she looked about with a beaming smile, “I will take a short nap. You have no idea how exhausting it was in Surrey.”
After her grandmother had wafted from the room, Marissa’s parents moved closer, expressions uneasy. “What has she been up to?” Eleanor asked in a long-suffering voice. “I do hope she’s behaved herself, Marissa. You know what she can be like.”
Marissa smiled a wicked little smile. “She has made the acquaintance of Lord Jasper, Mother, who is a friend of Valentine.”
“I knew it!” the professor declared. “She looked far too pleased with herself. Is he completely unsuitable? You’d better tell us at once.”
“He’s very nice, really. You will like him, I’m sure.”
It took some persuasion for them to believe Lady Bethany was genuine in her affections, and that Jasper was a suitable companion, but eventually they seemed to accept Marissa’s assurances.
“We are very happy for you, my dear,” Eleanor assured Marissa, when she rose to go upstairs to unpack and wash off the dust from the journey. “Lady Kent,” she added, trying it out. “I never expected you to marry a lord. Although my mother came from an aristocratic family it has never been something we thought it necessary to aspire to. It is so much more important to be happy, don’t you think, dear?” she said, looking at her husband.
But Professor Rotherhild had his own ideas on that.
“A rose ex
pert for a son-in-law,” he murmured, rubbing his hands together. “How thoroughly satisfactory, Marissa. Yes, indeed, you have done us proud.”
As Marissa went up to her room she wondered if her spirits could sink any lower.
That evening, when Valentine arrived, he was shown into the drawing room—reserved for important visitors only—and her parents greeted him like a long lost friend.
“Lord Kent,” her father said, beaming as he stepped forward to take his hand. “How do you do? It is a very great pleasure to meet you, and in such happy circumstances.”