Page 26 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

Except that Elizabeth did not care for hyacinths, their scent far too earthy for her liking.

“Will you simply be planning the entire wedding for us, or do we have a say?” Jasper interrupted and Elizabeth relaxed somewhat, grateful he had spoken up.

The older women ceased speaking for a breath of a moment as they looked at him, then returned their focus to one another once more.

“Absolutely hyacinths,” Lady Darington agreed as the servants entered and the briny, savory scent of herbed meat filled the air.

Elizabeth took a slice of beef, noting the distinctly reddish-brown sauce that posed a terrible threat to her pristine gown. The knot of anxiety in her stomach tightened.

“I should think Elizabeth would like to offer input on the wedding,” Jasper said.

Mama turned to Elizabeth, her expression bland. But Elizabeth knew everything that banal look hid. Doubt that Elizabeth would truly have a care regarding what happened at her own wedding. Disappointment that Elizabeth had never been that daughter she’d always wanted.

Grace had been that child with Kitty quick at her heels. Both filled with squeals of adoration for fashion and gossip. Both graceful and elegant.

Whereas Elizabeth much preferred the company of a book to any companion at a social event.

But what would Elizabeth actually like for a wedding?

She considered the possibility as the servant completed his way around the table to deposit a slice of beef and accompanying sauce onto each plate.

“I should like a wedding in the country, I think,” Elizabeth answered earnestly. “In a small parish church with only our family present. And in the summer, so we can use wildflowers.”

The image came to mind of a spray of daisies flecked with brilliant irises adorning the pews of a chapel, sunlight streaming in through a window of stained glass. And Jasper at the end of the aisle, waiting for her in a fine suit, that lopsided grin on his face.

Her breath caught.

Where had that last bit come from?

Letting her imagination dip into the possibility of their marriage was far too dangerous, something surely to be avoided.

She quickly cut a piece of beef and lifted it to her mouth, so she did not have to speak further, dream further.

Want what was not meant to be.

But as she brought the bite to her lips, the square of beef slipped off the tines and tumbled to her bodice where it rolled like an acrobat down the front of her dress. Brownish-red juice trailed down the creamy silk in a stain that would likely never come out.

The table went silent, and Elizabeth did not need to look up to know everyone stared at her.

She had single-handedly ruined the dinner. And presumably any chance that Lady Darington might actually approve of her.

Without thinking, Jasper dredged a forkful of beef in the largest pool of juice on his plate, lifted it to his mouth and let it intentionally fall.

The fork clunked to the floor, but not before the damage was done. A splotch of brown-red stained the smooth, clean lines of his white cravat and the meat fell into his crotch, leaving a brownish-red stain that soaked into his napkin.

Suddenly the stares that had fixed on Elizabeth were now pinned on him.

He shrugged a shoulder. “As I said, there is no grip to the silver.”

A servant rushed forward to collect the fallen fork as another presented him with a fresh one.

Bess stared at Jasper, first in horror, then confusion. Then her gaze cleared as understanding dawned, and her expression softened. She turned her attention back to Elizabeth once more. “Tell me, Lady Elizabeth, what do you enjoy doing with your time?”

The question was asked in a softer tone than her previous queries, which had been flung Elizabeth’s way as if they were an assault. As though she had already deemed Elizabeth to be merely be after Jasper’s wealth.

The softness in her demeanor continued as Elizabeth discussed her love of reading, a pastime she and Bess shared, as well as interest in music, with a shy admission of a dislike of needlepoint, which made Lady Langston go red in the face, but widened Bess’s smile.

Oddly, despite the stained clothing and dropped utensils, dinner was a success.