Chapter Four #3
Walter straightened his shoulders. “I did the next best thing, Mater. As luck would have it, I called on Jonnie this morning and found my cousin in his parlor. Can’t remember why I called, now, but I did.
And he told me straight away who Verity was.
Came straight out with it. Wasn’t hiding it.
So I said the only thing for it was that he had to marry her, because that rat Teesdale and old Broughton had witnessed it, and it was going to be the talk of Town very shortly, and what with her being my cousin, I wouldn’t stand for it if he didn’t marry her straight off.
Put my foot down. Told him what’s what. Would’ve called him out if he hadn’t agreed, even if it had meant he killed me.
” He paused. “So that’s why we’re here. Couldn’t leave her at his house, now could I? ” He sounded quite proud of himself.
His mother heaved a deep sigh. “No, I suppose you could not. We will discuss your ridiculous inclination to call your friend out later.” She turned to Verity, her eyes full of compassion.
“And now, poor child, you find yourself engaged to the worst rake in London, if not in all of Great Britain, and must marry him to save your reputation.”
Verity nodded. “Lord Dunster agreed, which I was glad about. I would not want to see Walter engage in a duel on my account. And Walter has very kindly said he will organize everything. Lord Dunster was a…little under the weather this morning, so perhaps organizing a wedding is beyond him at the moment. Although, I am not at all sure I truly wish to marry him. Or anyone, for that matter.”
Her aunt tutted. “Nonsense, child. You have made yourself a very good match out of what could have been a terrible situation. And as for Lord Dunster being under the weather… well, I should think he was. Foxed, no doubt. The man has a reputation as a heavy drinker, and for many other things as well. Let us hope we can put his acceptance of you in payment of a debt down to an excess of drink. However, its consequences must be faced. You were very brave, child, to do as your father instructed and attempt to sacrifice yourself to save him from the debtors’ prison, although I fear he is not worth it. ”
Verity bristled at this insult to Papa. “I must inform you that I love my father very much. He may be a gambler, and fond of his drink, but he has looked after me well these past thirteen years.” If you counted living a hand-to-mouth existence between gambling tables and often running from authority as him looking after her.
Possibly her aunt would not. But she did love Papa, or she would not have obeyed his command to give herself to Lord Dunster.
“Come here, child,” Aunt Josephine said, holding out her arms, her gentle eyes glittering with unshed tears. “Let me welcome you properly back into your family. I intend to keep you safe with me until we can sort everything out properly.” And she put her arms around Verity and hugged her close.
This came as something of a surprise to Verity, as no one had ever hugged her like that before.
Not even Grandmama, whom she’d loved dearly and who she was sure had loved her back.
And definitely not her mother in the short time she’d known her, a woman who’d shown little interest in her only child.
After a moment’s awkwardness, she put her own hands onto her aunt’s back and held her to her.
How fragrant she was, and how soft. Being hugged like this was most pleasant, and for a moment, she felt the unusual urge to burst into tears.
Something she’d not done for a very long time.
How was it that someone who was just being kind to her could make her feel so emotional?
Papa would have frowned on such a show of feelings.
“I say,” Walter said, sounding smug. “I knew you’d both get along.” Which probably was a lie.
After a long minute, Aunt Josephine released her, a smile curving her lips.
“I have made up my mind. We must make the best of a bad situation, my dear. You will marry your earl, despite his dreadful reputation, and become a countess, and you will do so from this house. I will personally supervise Walter’s efforts to organize this wedding, as he has proved himself an incompetent far too many times and I do not wish anything to go wrong.
And I will enjoy myself in taking you to my dressmakers and equipping you with a trousseau to match your new station in life.
” She held up an admonishing hand. “No. Do not argue with me. I have made up my mind and nothing you can say will change it.” Her smile widened to one of supreme satisfaction.
“You have captured for yourself one of the most desirable bachelors of the ton, my dear. A man it was thought no woman could lure up the aisle. I offer you my congratulations. And I welcome you into our family. Your family from now on.”
What was there Verity could say to that?
Not a lot.
She began to think things were running away from her at an unstoppable rate.