Apparently, her father’s views were to be relied upon more than her taste, which was why she had been cut out of the discussion entirely for this arrangement. Not only was she to be married to her father’s personal favorite of all her offering suitors, but the man to whom she would be wed was a societal hermit who almost never strayed from his quaint little Cornish hamlet. How could anyone imagine her to be that reclusive? Cornwall was not where she belonged, unless there was a plot to rid her of her sanity; in that case, Cornwall would be an ideal place for her.

“We’ve decided to have the wedding in four weeks,” her father suddenly announced, as though Adelaide had begged him for an answer to the question. “Enough time for the banns to be read without wasting any time. Lady Tunbridge, would that be sufficient time to properly prepare a trousseau for your daughter?”

“Certainly, Tunbridge,” came her mother’s calm, unaffected reply. Adelaide watched as she smiled over at the two men in the room, though the smile did not quite reach her eyes. “I do hope you will speak with the vicar at St. George’s Hanover Square. Anything else would be unthinkable.”

Well, at least her mother was thinking clearly. If they were going to proceed with this farce for the sake of it, they might as well make the most of the situation. And wouldn’t Adelaide look simply radiant dressed in the finest gown in the morning light at St. George’s?

She looked over at Basset again, this time with more speculation. He really was a stunningly attractive man, in the most rugged, dark, and rustic sense. Perhaps lacking a little in finery, but under her influence, she could see that remedied. He would be a fair enough adornment for her arm, particularly at the church and wedding breakfast. If she could give the right impression, there would be no need for anyone to speculate about the condition of the match.

After all, no one knew that the harmless flirtation between Phillip and herself had been more than it appeared. No one would be expecting to hear their names attached to one another.

She could still be the envy of all, securing a love match with a handsome man in possession of a title and a fortune. No one would ever need to know that it was a business arrangement or that she was displeased with it. No one would have to know she wanted Phillip, not Basset.

She could take control of this situation and make it her own. She would be Adelaide, Lady Basset, and the envy surrounding her would only increase. And if she played her cards right, she could arrange for a marriage of distance to come about. Particularly if her new husband should be so miserable in his choice of bride privately that he preferred separation.