Chapter 26
Cart accepted a tumbler of spirits, uncertain what specific liquor it contained but fearful of declining Jude’s brother’s offer of a drink.
It was not often he partook in drinking anything stronger than a sherry as it inhibited the mind and further decelerated his judgment capabilities.
Not a fact widely accepted, but one that Cart had seen firsthand with his father.
The group had retired to a room completely unfamiliar to him.
It housed the household ledgers and many other books, including a small desk, clearly designed for the delicate frame of a female, as opposed to a full-grown man.
In other households, it might be referred to as an office of sorts, but the shockingly feminine shades of lavender and sea green dispelled the notion immediately.
The color palate was so overpowering and distracting Cart could not see himself being able to concentrate on anything academic in this room.
Even now, his eye was drawn to a small lamp upon the white desk, its shade embellished with green tassels and a gaudy, jeweled trim.
The fixture appeared completely unsuitable to hold a candle without burning the entire house down.
He should mention something to Jude’s sister about it before departing—if he made it out of this room with his skin still attached.
With the pacing and angry muttering coming from Garrett, Cart would bet against his survival. Not that he was a betting man. No, he chose to invest in facts and logic. At the moment, logic and his gut instinct were in alignment.
The only thing giving him some semblance of ease was Jude’s eldest sister, who’d immediately embraced Jude after Cart had let her go and then led her to this room, leaving Cart with only two options: depart semi-unnoticed or follow them.
There was only one place Cart wanted to be—at Jude’s side.
Despite all she’d done, everything she’d been less than truthful about, she’d done what she had to do to help her family.
Cart could not fault her for that. He’d done the same since returning from university.
He’d embraced what most of society saw as distastefully gauche.
With much effort and energy, he’d worked hard.
Though he wasn’t toiling in a field or building structures, he was using his skill and knowledge gained by countless hours of learning to achieve the level of an esteemed antiquities expert.
No small feat in the world of academia. If Cart had been afforded the luxury of choosing his own path in life, he’d likely work for a museum or university where he could continue studying the precious pieces he adored.
Possibly even participate in an excursion to foreign lands in search of rare new artifacts.
But as a peer, that was not an option for him—and he was resigned to that fact.
He’d dedicated himself to making his entire household a place of learning.
Theo was awarded the finest tutors he could find, even though it meant more shillings than he had.
Cart not only searched for his own family heirlooms, but he’d amassed a rather impressive collection of other fine artifacts and paintings, as well.
The hope was that the future Earl of Cartwright, after Simon was long forgotten, would continue in his stead and preserve all matters of historical import.
It was only since meeting Jude that Cart had realized what a lonely existence he’d settled on for himself.
No amount of possessions in the world could alleviate or replace that of a companion.
Though not just any companion would do any longer.
He’d survived with Theo for company all these years, but it was her time to live her own life, explore what England had to offer, and decide on her own path—which left Cart to pick up the pieces.
The most strategic piece was right in front of him—a woman he’d known, somewhere deep inside, was meant for him and him alone. A woman who had drawn him from his mundane and routine existence with barely any effort. A woman willing to give up her entire life—family, home, and future—for him.
It was a dedication he’d never imagined possible, especially directed at him.
Certainly he’d seen the immense love his parents had shared and his mother had never recovered from his father’s sudden passing.
But he’d also witnessed the aftermath of that love—his mother’s domineering, shrewish, harsh demeanor where she’d become withdrawn and nothing like the woman who’d raised him.
Those were the consequences of love.
He’d studied every aspect of it. His parents shared a great love. But when his father was lost far too soon, his mother suffered from it. Love harmed far more people than it helped.
Or, at least, that’d been the outcome of facts in his short study of the matter called love.
He didn’t want that for himself or Jude.
However, somewhere along the way—during their short journey—Cart had made a new discovery.
Loving Jude—every wonderful, exciting, and unsettling aspect of her—was worth years of pain, heartbreak, and bitterness he might experience if he ever lost her.
Their journey together would be worth far more than any artifact, painting, or ancient tome he could collect.
But how to express that to her?
“Marce, Judith,” Garrett roared. “Leave Lord Cartwright and me to speak in private.”
“No, Garrett, I love you but—“
Garrett held up his hand, halting Jude’s protest. “This is a discussion for gentlemen. I will handle this and let you know what terms we reach.”
Terms?
“Terms?” Jude called, mirroring Cart’s thoughts, not for the first time. “I am not livestock to be bartered and sold, Brother. Marce, say something!” She turned to her sister for help.
Cart was not privy to their family’s inner workings, but he’d always suspected Marce, the Madame of Craven House, to be in control, ever since the moment he’d passed them leaving the night watchman’s residence.
“Jude,” Cart started, uncertain how she’d react to what he had to say. “Mayhap your brother and I—“
“Absolutely not.” Jude moved to his side. “This—all of this—is between us. No one else.”
“We have not all properly met,” Marce said, stepping forward and taking control of the situation. “It is very good to see you again, Lord Cartwright. Might I introduce my brother, Lord Garrett. Garrett Davenport, Lord Cartwright—but I believe many call him Cart.”
“Cartwright,” Lord Garrett growled. “If the women seek to be present, then I will ask you for them…what are your intentions with my sister?”
Cart recognized Lord Garrett for what he was, a brother terrified for his younger sister. It was a feeling Cart could well understand, being an elder brother himself. But appeasing the anger that came along with his feelings of terror was another thing entirely.
“My intentions?” he asked, setting his untouched tumbler on a small table. Cart sensed the coming conversation would take all of his wit to endure. “I…well…”
“Lord Cartwright.” Jude placed her hand on his arm and he turned to look into her deep green eyes. Within them, he noticed her emotions were as unsettled as his own, rolling like the green hills of his family estates. “You do not answer to him.”
“My coming words will not be directed specifically at him, nor to your sister, though I highly respect her supervision of your care and well-being.” Cart paused to calm his nerves.
What came next would change his life—and hers, he hoped—for the better.
“Miss Judith Pengarden,” he said, taking hold of both her hands and looking only at her.
The others in the room faded as he lost himself in her face, her small smile, and the way she tried to hide her irritation with everyone present.
“We have not had an acquaintance of great longevity and complete openness. At the basest nature of our association, I believe we have come to know one another at a level many others do not achieve in many decades’ time. ”
“What does any of that mean, Cartwright?” Lord Garrett asked before draining his tumbler. “You are one of the strangest men I have ever met.”
“Shhhh,” Marce hissed. “Be quiet and take notes, my dear brother. I believe you are witnessing what many would call a proposal of the most romantic kind—one you can only read about from the greatest poets of our time.”
Cart heard their voices, but they faded into the background. All he could see was Jude, smiling at him with the most honesty he’d ever seen in her.
And that was all he needed to keep speaking…