"Are you suggesting that it did?"
"I suppose I am."
I frown, trying to make sense of what he'ssaying, but not quite believing the implications of his words. It almost sounds like he wants this to be more than just a friendly marriage. But I also don't want to jump to the wrong conclusion.
Philip clears his throat. "The Swan Dance is coming up if you would like to attend."
"The Swan Dance?" I echo. "I thought that was merely a rumour."
He chuckles. "It isn't," he assures me. "But it is solely for married swans, I don't believe that you will have had an invitation before."
"Surely my parents would have."
"You would think," he responds. "Though perhaps they have and didn't tell you?"
"That does sound like Mother," I admit.
"You haven't told me much about your family," he says.
"That is because there isn't much to say. Mother has always been more focused on what enjoyment she could have out of the events she had to attend for me, and Father mostly keeps to himself. I suspect my sister will be presented next year so Mother can maintain her social life."
"Could she not attend the events on her own?"
"I believe so, but it doesn't give her the same level of involvement as chaperoning."
"Then again, she didn't do a particularlythorough job of doing that the first time around," he quips.
I smother a laugh. "In her eyes, she helped me make a good match. You should have heard her when she realised that I was going to be a countess one day." I can't help the bitterness that slips into my voice.
"Is it not a position you wanted for yourself?"
"I don't know," I admit. "I never gave much thought to my future title, there seemed to be more important things in mind."
"Like how to avoid gaining a title in the first place," he says.
"Yes, something like that."
"I do have a question about that." Philip smooths his thumb over the back of my hand in a motion that I don't think he's aware of. I don't make any move to stop it, enjoying the way it feels and the connection it seems to build between us. I know it's foolish to think too much into moments like this, but I can't help but think it's worth it
"What is it?"
"You make it sound as if there was a lot of pressure from your mother to make the right match and to get married."
"To an extent, yes."
"Why did you not want to do it so you could have freedom from her?"
A sad smile crosses over my face. "Because marrying wouldn't necessarily allow me any freedom at all. I could end up with a husband worse than Mother."
"Or his mother might be worse," he mutters.
"The situation does suggest that," I quip. "Is there something I can do to improve my relationship with the Countess?" After the way she's treated me, I'm not sure whether I truly want to, but I'm equally aware that we're going to be a part of one another's lives for a long time to come. It will be better for both of us if we find a way to get along.
"Sadly, I don't think so."
"What about a child?" The question slips out before I think twice about it.
Philip's eyebrows shoot up, which is unsurprising given that we haven't spent the night together.