Page 25 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

The servants approached with tureens and ladled soup into their bowls.

White soup.

A wave of relief washed over Elizabeth. At least if any did splash on the delicate white silk, it would not be glaringly evident.

Mama cleared her throat. “Daughters. I have three daughters, but my mother had a bevy of sons.”

Elizabeth looked at her soup and focused on eating the meal without spilling as her mother had suggested in the carriage. The task was preferred to listening to the conversation at hand with her mother trying to convince the dowager that Elizabeth might yet bear sons someday.

“After this, we ought to discuss our stores of livestock,” Jasper said. “Or perhaps if you find her hips suitable for birthing.”

Elizabeth looked up in time to see Lady Darington’s face go red with shock. “Jasper.”

“She is to be my wife, not a broodmare, Grandmother. Please be respectful.”

Lady Darington smirked at the reproach. But still, she nodded graciously to Elizabeth. “Forgive me, I’ve apparently been too long in the country.”

“She understands the need for an heir,” Mama answered hastily.

And while the answer felt as inappropriate as Lady Darington’s inference to needing a son, Elizabeth was grateful to be saved from speaking.

“Have you considered a date yet for the wedding?” Lady Darington asked before taking a small sip of the soup.

Elizabeth wanted to shrink inside herself. If they set a date, then they would have to begin planning. And once planning was underway and money had been spent and people employed…well, calling off the wedding would be more difficult.

“Possibly spring,” Jasper answered at the same time Elizabeth said, “Next fall.”

Lady Darington frowned, and sweat prickled at Elizabeth’s palms. She picked up her spoon to eat her soup, but her fingers trembled and the handle slipped from her hand, clattering noisily back into her bowl.

Three sets of eyes looked pointedly at her and heat colored her cheeks.

“Forgive me, it slipped,” Elizabeth whispered, utterly mortified.

“I never did like these spoons,” Jasper mused. “There’s no real grip to them.”

Elizabeth gave him a grateful smile.

Lady Darington looked between them. “So, spring, then?”

Once more Mama jumped into the conversation. “Spring truly is such a lovely time to wed. I think it’s perfect.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but Mama kept speaking. “I’m thinking April.”

April was only two months away.

Elizabeth stiffened. “I don’t…”

“You’re absolutely right, Lady Langston.” Lady Darington leaned back slightly as a servant cleared away the soup bowls. “That will give them the remainder of the season to acquire anything they need for their home while in London. And perhaps a honeymoon in Italy.”

A honeymoon?

Elizabeth’s heartbeat thundered in her ears.

This was all happening far too fast.

“I think…” Elizabeth interjected.

“Oh, Italy would be perfect for spring, before it becomes too hot there,” Mama gushed. “And I was thinking hyacinths for the flower arrangements. They’re such a lovely spring flower, do you not agree?”