First Comes Scandal (Rokesbys #4) - Julia Quinn Page 0,4
nodded all the same. He brought his glass to his lips but did not drink, instead using the tumbler to partially obscure his own expression as he watched his father.
He had never seen him quite like this. He was not sure what to make of it.
“I cannot see her ruined,” his father said firmly. “We cannot see her ruined.”
Nicholas held his breath. Later he realized his lungs knew what his brain did not. His life was about to take a drastic turn.
“There is only one thing to be done,” his father said. “You must marry her.”
Chapter 2
Quite a few things looped through Nicholas’s mind upon his father’s announcement.
What did you just say?
Are you mad?
You must be mad.
Yes, I’m sure you’re mad.
Wait, did I hear that correctly?
All culminating in: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BLOODY MIND?
What he said, however, was, “I beg your pardon?”
“You must marry her,” his father said again.
Proving that A) Nicholas had not misheard him and B) his father was indeed out of his bloody mind.
Nicholas downed his brandy in one gulp. “I can’t marry Georgiana,” he said.
“Why not?”
“Because—Because—” There were so many reasons Nicholas could not possibly coalesce them into a single statement.
His father raised a brow. “Are you married to someone else?”
“Of course not!”
“Have you promised to marry someone else?”
“For the love of God, Father—”
“Then I see no reason you cannot do your duty.”
“It is not my duty!” Nicholas exploded.
His father stared at him, hard, and he felt like a child again, scolded for some minor infraction.
But this was not minor. This was marriage. And while marrying Georgiana Bridgerton might—might—be the right and honorable thing to do, it certainly was not his duty.
“Father,” he tried again, “I am not in a position to marry.”
“Of course you are. You are twenty-seven years old, of sound mind, and in good health.”
“I live in a rented room in Edinburgh. I don’t even have a valet.”
His father waved a hand. “Easily remedied. We can get you a house in the new part of town. Your brother knows several of the architects involved with the planning. It will be an excellent investment.”
For a moment Nicholas could only stare. His father was talking about property investments?
“You may consider it a wedding gift.”
Nicholas brought his hand to his forehead, using his thumb and middle finger to press into his temples. He needed to focus. Think. His father was still talking, going on about integrity and duty and ninety-nine-year leases, and Nicholas’s brain hurt.
“Do you have any idea what is involved in the study of medicine?” he asked, his eyes closed behind his hand. “I don’t have time for a wife.”
“She doesn’t need your time. She needs your name.”
Nicholas moved his hand. Looked at his father. “You’re serious.”
His father gave him a look as if to say, Haven’t you been listening?
“I can’t marry someone with the express intention of ignoring her.”
“I hope that does not prove to be the case,” his father responded. “I am merely trying to point out that your cooperation in this matter does not have to adversely impact your life at this crucial juncture.”
“That was an awful lot of words to tell me, in effect, to be a bad husband.”
“No, it was an awful lot of words to tell you, in effect, to be a young woman’s hero.”
Nicholas rolled his eyes. “After which I can go and be a bad husband.”
“If that is your wish,” his father said quietly.
Nicholas wasn’t sure how long he stared at his father in disbelief. It was only when he realized he was slowly shaking his head that he forced himself to turn away. He walked to the window, using it as an excuse to set his attention elsewhere. He did not want to look at his father right now. He didn’t want to think about him, or his mad proposition.
No, it wasn’t a proposition, was it? It was an order. His father had not said, “Would you marry Georgiana?”
He’d said, “You must marry her.”
It was not the same.
“You can leave her in Kent,” his father said after whatever he must have deemed an appropriately considerate stretch of silence. “She doesn’t need to accompany you to Edinburgh. In fact, she probably doesn’t want to accompany you to Edinburgh. I don’t think she’s ever been.”
Nicholas turned around.
“It would be up to you, of course,” his father said. “You’re the one making the sacrifice.”
“It is so odd to think that this is how you mean to convince me,” Nicholas said.