A Scoundrel's Surrender by Jenna Petersen

Author:Jenna Petersen [Petersen, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins US
Published: 2011-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Marah sighed as the family retired to the drawing room for drinks after one of the most delicious meals she’d ever eaten. In fact, her entire evening with the Talbots had been wonderful with one glaring exception. Caleb had been seated down the table from her and he had openly stared at her the entire duration of the meal.

She was certain that he wasn’t escorting her to the parlor, but his mother, only because his sister had taken Marah’s arm before he could intercede. And he hadn’t looked very pleased about that fact.

Tessa squeezed her arm gently and drew Marah’s attention to her as they walked.

“I took your arm because I wanted to have a moment alone with you, Miss Farnsworth—” Tessa said as they walked. “I mean, Lady Marah.”

Marah sighed. Though no one had spoken directly of the revelation of her family connections, the entire household, down to the servants, was now calling her Lady Marah. She rather hated the sound of it, it was so foreign and strange.

“Well, I’m happy to speak to you,” she said with a forced smile. She could only hope Tessa wouldn’t broach the subject of the Breckinridges. She wasn’t up to discussing her estranged family: the topic only inspired painful thoughts.

“I wanted to tell you that you made quite an impression on my father the last time you visited with us,” Tessa said as she followed Victoria and Justin into the drawing room.

Marah tensed slightly. Tessa had been so against her intrusion into her father’s chambers, she hoped the young woman didn’t still harbor resentment over the fact that her opinion hadn’t been heeded.

“I liked him a great deal,” Marah said slowly.

Tessa released her arm and faced her. “I apologize for my outburst that night. I can be quite . . . protective of both my parents, but especially my father.”

Marah thought she saw Tessa shoot a quick glare toward Caleb, but she wasn’t certain because it was so brief an expression.

“Why wouldn’t you be?” Marah asked. “Under the circumstances, your protectiveness only makes you an excellent daughter.”

Tessa blinked and Marah saw the beginnings of tears in her dark eyes, but she smiled nonetheless. “Thank you for your understanding. But in this instance, I want you to know that I was wrong. I—”

Before she could finish, Caleb slipped up to the two of them and grinned at Marah. “Great God, Marah, mark the date. My sister has admitted she is wrong. This is a great moment in family history.”

Marah stared at the unwarranted harshness of his tone toward his sister. Caleb had a glass of wine in his hand and she had seen him drinking at least two more at supper. Apparently the spirits had loosened his tongue in a most unpleasant fashion.

“Caleb—” she began in a hushed tone.

Tessa’s lips thinned as she speared her brother with a pointed glare. “This was a private conversation, brother. You were not invited to it. Not that it has ever stopped you.”

He turned to her with a laugh.

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