Chapter 16
Travel weary, Ambrose stood in front of the looking glass and loosened his cravat. Delayed a day due to muddy and washed-out roads, Ambrose was more than ready to find Daphne and beg for an audience. No, he’d kidnap her if she avoided him.
He squared his shoulders and left his chambers to collect Alice to join the revelry in the music room. His mind was set. Before he left the Osbourne house party, he was going to be an engaged man, and nothing was going to prevent him from succeeding. Nothing.
He scratched on his sister’s door. “Alice, are you ready?”
His sister’s maid opened the door and said, “Oh, yer lordship, Miss Alice accompanied Lady Daphne below a half hour ago.”
Ambrose shook his head and mumbled, “She’s going to be the death of me.” Halfway down the stairs, he was still shaking his head. He himself wasn’t even certain which she he was referring to. His wayward sister or the woman who he wished to marry.
He spotted Archbroke milling about at the foot of the stairs.
“Glad to see I’m not the only gentleman who is tardy this eve.” Ambrose greeted the last man he expected to see at one of Lady Osbourne’s house parties.
“My dear wife instructed me to wait for you.” Archbroke held up a hand and added, “Don’t inquire as to why, for I have no inkling.”
“Pray send my thanks to Lady Archbroke, but I have matters in hand.”
“I hope that is the case and that whatever scheme you have devised is better than your last.”
If his plans for the night succeeded, his ruse would cease and those who cared for him and Alice could cease to worry. Ambrose asked, “Have all the guests arrived?”
“I certainly hope so, for the house is overflowing with members of the ton I’d hoped to…” Archbroke shook his head. “I won’t finish that unflattering thought, for both our sakes.”
With Archbroke at his side, Ambrose made his way down the hall and entered the music room. He immediately began to search the crowded room for Daphne. He’d denied his feelings for Daphne way too long and placed his happiness at risk. He took a step forward into the crush of guests, prepared to prove to Daphne he was worthy of her love.
Archbroke nudged him in the ribs. “Your sister and Lady Daphne are over by the terrace doors.”
“By god, Lady Osbourne has half the ton in attendance.” Ambrose rolled onto the balls of his feet and peered over the elegant coiffures to plot a path to the woman he was determined to have.
Archbroke, who was slightly taller than himself, said, “I suggest you go to the left and keep to the outskirts.”
Ambrose did a double take. Archbroke’s authoritative tone was laced with the confidence of a man who was accustomed to barking orders… covert orders. He blinked away the random thought and forged forward. He needed to reach Daphne before the meddlesome Lady Osbourne paired her up with one of the many eligible bachelors present.
With his gaze locked on Daphne, who was standing with her back to him in a spectacular pale pink gown that hugged her lush full figure, he ignored the whispers of surprise that he was in attendance. He’d become accustomed to the unflattering remarks and didn’t mind so much when they disparaged his nature. It was when the gossip mongers attacked Alice that he struggled not to retaliate.
A few steps more and he’d be back by Daphne”s side, where he belonged.
“Not so fast, Harlowe.” Lord Foxton”s large form blocked his way.
“Not now, Foxton.” Ambrose attempted to sidestep around the man who had been a nuisance all Season long, hounding Ambrose to come clean about his financial situation.
“I need to speak with you…” Foxton’s hand clasped about his arm.
Ambrose tore his gaze from Daphne and came face to face with Foxton’s serious features.
“About?”
Foxton looked over his shoulder in Alice and Daphne’s direction and then back at Ambrose. “Is it hereditary to provide one-word responses?”
“No.” He shook off Foxton’s hold on him and glanced back at Daphne, who was standing next to Foxton’s youngest sister, Lady Lillian Tanner.
“I’d like a moment of your time… in private.” Foxton let out a sigh and added, “Please.”
Knowing how trying a younger sister can be, Ambrose took mercy on his friend and said, “Very well, but whatever it is you wish to discuss, it had best be dire in nature.”
Foxton nodded and set off for the doors. Ambrose danced around guests behind Foxton, who didn’t break stride. Ambrose frowned at the determined set of the shoulders before him. In all the years he’d known Foxton, he’d never seen the man act so doggedly. The man refrained from involving himself in difficult situations and avoided conflict at all costs. A trinkle of anxiety ran down Ambrose’s spine.
With the din of chatter behind them, Foxton entered Lord Osbourne’s large and extremely well-stocked library. Despite the lit fireplace, there was a distinct chill in the room.
Foxton held out his hands in front of the fire. “I’d like your permission to wed Alice.”
Of all the subjects Foxton could have broached, marrying Alice was not one Ambrose had even considered. Not once had his sister even alluded to having an interest in Foxton.
Ambrose sank into the wingback chair facing the fire and asked, “Have you discussed your plans with Alice?”
Foxton turned to face Ambrose. “Are you mad? Of course not. When it comes to the topic of marriage, your sister is… well, she’s stubborn.”
“Since I know you are a gentleman and would never compromise a friend’s sister, so why are you seeking my permission before gaining Alice’s agreement?”
Foxton scowled. “She won’t listen to reason.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Alice is five-and-twenty. It’s time she got married.”
“I don’t have time to waste, Foxton. Spit out the real reason why you wish to wed Alice or I’m leaving.”
His friend”s hands fisted.
He’d never seen Foxton so agitated before.
Ambrose rolled to his feet and Foxton said, “Wait.”
It was clear Foxton was struggling to string words together.
Ambrose asked, “Do you love Alice?”
“Love?” Foxton’s scowl returned. “Absolutely not.”
The vehemence with which Foxton replied could not be feigned.
“Then for the love of God, explain why you wish to marry my sister.” Ambrose watched Foxton pace in front of him like a caged lion.
Thank the heavens, the Viscount of Sumnerson had granted him permission without inquiry or hesitation. If Daphne’s father had posed such questions to him, he too would have been reduced to a bumbling fool. Taking mercy on Foxton, Ambrose resumed his seat and waited.
“She makes my life a living misery and so I’d like to return the favor.”
Ambrose had shared that same sentiment toward his sister a time or two over the years. Alice was not the quiet missish lady the ton believed her to be. She was a hellion in disguise. If Alice had revealed her true nature to Foxton, then she must trust the man. Mayhap even care for him. The revelation had Ambrose on his feet. “I’ll make you a deal. If Alice accepts your proposal, I shall not object to you marrying her.”
“You”re her guardian. We can draft up the agreements and…”
Ambrose rose a hand to stop Foxton’s ramblings. He recognized the mixture of frustration and longing in Foxton’s gaze. The man wasn’t thinking or seeing straight, and Ambrose knew exactly how that felt. “If Lord Middleton—you do remember the gentleman your sister pushed into the lake at the Hadfield affair, don’t you?” Ambrose waited for Foxton’s smile before continuing, “If Middleton came to you and suggested you enter into a similar arrangement for Lilly, would you do it?”
“My youngest sister listens to no one. Even if I wanted to sign her life over to Middleton, Lilly would find some way to finagle her way out of such an agreement. Then Lilly and your sister, who might I add has become Lilly’s boon companion, would concoct some scheme that would no doubt result in my demise.”
The man’s melodramatic response only confirmed Ambrose”s suspicions that Foxton was already well and truly in love with Alice.
Ambrose slung his arm over Foxton’s shoulders and said, “Gain Alice’s agreement.” He released his friend and marched out of the room. Foxton’s turbulent behavior gave Ambrose a new perspective on how to approach Daphne. He’d ask Daphne what she wanted to know, rather than tell her what he thought was important. He’d not mince words and be honest and forthcoming. He’d profess his love and hope she would forgive him and give him a second chance.
Determination alone wouldn’t gain Daphne’s favor. He needed a grand gesture—but what?