Chapter 27
“I don’t care what time it is,” Alice’s father harrumphed. “I want to talk to my daughter.”
“And I’m telling you that she has hardly left your bedside for two days and needs rest,” Wrexham replied.
Ethan, slipping into the room, sidled up to West. “When did he wake up?”
“Only a few minutes ago,” his cousin whispered. “He asked for Alice, but mercifully Wrexham is giving it a moment, hoping he’ll cool off before then.”
“Stay calm,” Wrexham urged. “You’ve done enough to upset that girl.”
“I’ve upset her?” He stopped to cough, voice still weak. “She’s the one who went and fell in love with someone from your damn son-in-law’s family. You know the Beaumonts are nothing to speak of. The only reason you accepted Priscilla’s marriage was because it was to the actual marquess.”
Ethan flinched. He shouldn’t be here; this was a family matter and he felt like he was intruding. He began to slip away, but Priscilla came up beside him and grabbed his arm, halting his escape.
“No, stay,” she whispered. “You should hear this.”
Not given much of a choice, Ethan leaned back against the wall. He knew he was about to hear things that would make him supremely uncomfortable; however, he would do anything for Alice. And if Priscilla thought he should stay, he would.
Wrexham heaved a sigh. “I know I’ve been an absolute snob in the past—Lady Wrexham and I were far too concerned with status when we first matched Priscilla.”
“As you should have been, you made her a duchess,” said the ailing man.
“Yes, but at what cost? I saw how miserable she was in that marriage forced to take care of her husband and not having any kind of affection to sustain her through such tasks. I wish I would have considered her happiness before her status. Now seeing her so happy with West—I was a fool.”
“Brother, what are you talking about?”
“Look, we can discuss this later when you are stronger and more well rested. But please, don’t be upset with Alice for her choice. Let her be happy,” Wrexham said while attempting to tuck his brother in.
“No, we are going to discuss this now. What are you talking about?” he shot back, grabbing the marquess’s sleeve.
Wrexham sat back down on the edge of the bed with a sigh, head hanging low.
“I can see that you won’t rest until we’ve had this out.
So hear what I’m telling you.” He looked over at the three of them huddled in the back of the room, seeking his daughter’s eyes.
Priscilla gave him a nod of encouragement, and the lord took in a deep breath before turning back to his brother.
“I was stubborn about who I thought my girls should marry, just like you are with Alice. But Priscilla shared that your daughter has fallen in love with a good man. No, don’t protest, just listen.
” Wrexham held up his hand, silencing his brother who was attempting to sit up in bed.
“Don’t you want Alice to be happy? Don’t you want her to have a marriage like you had with Agatha? Isn’t that the most important thing?”
“Of course I want Alice to be happy. But more than anything, she needs security. Life can change on a ha’penny—I know this.
She needs to marry a title and money so she’ll never have to worry about her place in society and she’ll be cared for once I’m gone.
” He paused to shove himself up into a sitting position, Ethan now able to see his pale face for the first time since entering the room.
“She needs to find a match this season and can’t be distracted by this estate manager. ”
“Why the rush, there’s no reason she must marry this season.” Wrexham leaned forward as Alice’s father mumbled something in reply. “What?”
“I said I can’t afford another season. There, are you happy?”
A look of disbelief crossed Wrexham’s face. “I would sponsor Alice through another season, and happily. Why didn’t you just tell me you needed more funds?”
“Pride, you lummox! I would have swallowed it to work and earn what I needed, but my damned leg and heart prevented me from being able to support my own daughter.”
“Edward,” Wrexham said as the man lifted a hand to hide his face in shame, “I didn’t realize the allowance I gave you wasn’t enough. I never would have let you worry over money. You should have told me.”
“I felt like a fool for having to rely on my brother. You’ve been more than generous when I couldn’t provide for myself, but medical costs added up and I wasn’t about to ask for more.”
Wrexham lowered his head to his chest and shook it.
“I understand, I’d have a hard time getting over my pride, too, if I needed help.
But good lord, Edward, don’t make Alice suffer for the sake of money.
Let her marry the man she loves. I’ve met the fellow, he’s a good man.
I admit we are not used to gentlemen working, but he does it out of passion, not need. ”
Ethan felt Priscilla’s hand on his arm and he gave her a small smile.
He knew he should leave and not continue to listen to a conversation about himself.
But his future hung in the balance, and he was grateful to know he had Wrexham in his corner should Alice’s father remain stubborn.
Deciding he should in fact leave and not tempt fate as things were finally turning in his favor, he turned toward the door right as Alice burst into the room.
“Father! The staff was murmuring that you were awake. Why didn’t you send for me at once?
” She ran across the room and flung herself down on the bed, gathering him into her arms. “I’m so .
. . so sorry,” she said into the counterpane through tears.
“I thought I was going to lose you.” Edward patted her on the back and reassured her he was fine.
Alice sat back up after a few minutes and assessed her father. “How are you feeling? You look much better, but I need to know you are strong.”
“I am well, my girl. I’m sorry I scared you so.”
Alice eyed him critically. “You do look better, and that’s good because, Papa”—Edward sucked in a breath at the endearment—“I need to tell you something.” He nodded for her to continue.
“I never want to disappoint you, Father,” she said, voice quivering, “but I also need to take my own needs into consideration. I need to live my life in a way that will make me happy as well as those around me.” Alice paused and took in a fortifying breath.
Ethan could only hope he knew what she was about to say next.
“I love Ethan, Father. He is a good man, and though he may not be what you envisioned for me, I’d like your blessing to marry him. But know that I will marry him with or without it.”
Ethan’s chest swelled, and he thought his heart might burst with pride. Priscilla gripped her shoulder and sniffed away a tear of her own at the scene. Slowly, however, Alice’s moment of bravery trickled away and she almost shrank in on herself, wary of how her father might respond.
“Of course you have my blessing, my dear girl.” Edward had tears in his eyes as he reached over to cup her cheek. “I’m sorry that I have put my pride and fears above your own needs. Your uncle was just convincing me to let appearances go and do what’s most important, let you be happy.”
Alice let out a sob and collapsed on her father’s chest while Ethan, West, and Priscilla silently made their way out of the room.
Alice had to find Ethan. She had to let him know that she’d done it—even though it had almost killed her, she’d courageously told her father that she was choosing a future with him.
Quietly closing the bedroom door, her father now peacefully asleep after reassurances they would talk in the morning, she turned around in the hallway only to find Ethan once again leaning against the wall in waiting.
Alice simply leaned forward and fell into his opened arms. Ethan buried his face into her hair and held her tight, exactly as she needed.
“I love you,” she said into his chest.
“I know. I love you too,” he replied into her hair.
Pulling back, she looked up into his face. “I told Father. I told him that I plan to marry you.” She paused in amazement, still unable to process what she was about to share with him. “He gave me his blessing.”
“I know that too,” he said, smoothing her hair out of her eyes. “I was standing in the back of the room with West and Priscilla. I heard the whole thing.”
“You did? I didn’t see you there!”
“We snuck out soon after. But not before I heard other things as well.” Ethan leaned forward and kissed her gently, just once, before tipping his forehead to hers so that they were eye to eye.
“I heard your father say how much he loves you and that all his previous wishes had only been to ensure your security and your uncle’s favor. I believe all will be well, my Alice.”
Overwhelming love surged through her, and she stood up on her toes, smashing her mouth to Ethan’s. This beautiful, wonderful man who told her she was worth fighting for, who she could now claim as her own.
They stayed there, lost in each other for several minutes before Alice had to break away for want of air. Panting against Ethan’s solid chest, she asked, “What’s next? What do we do now?”
“Well, you will remain here and help your father get stronger while I return to Hampton House and arrange a home for us on the estate. We’ll write to each other daily, and once your father is well enough to travel, you’ll come back to me and we’ll be married.”
Alice closed her eyes, picturing life on the estate with Ethan always beside her. It was a picture of happiness indeed.
“There is only one problem with this picture that I can see, Mr. Beaumont,” Alice said coyly.
“Oh, really,” Ethan said, a grin splitting his face. “And what would that be Miss Pembroke?”
“You haven’t actually asked me to marry you,” she said, tone serious.
Ethan promptly fell to one knee before her.