Chapter Fourteen #2
The duke became quite agitated and sat up as straight as his old body could manage. “I sent out men after men, scouring the area around Kenbrooks’s ducal estate, trying to find them, but to no avail. I never gave up. That’s how I found you.”
For the first time that day, Edward saw his father’s beloved features in the old duke.
He had to be telling the truth about being his grandfather.
“I’m glad you found me, sir.” Edward bowed his head.
“But the way you went about it could have been executed a bit better. I thought your solicitor was attempting to kidnap Lady Penelope.”
“That’s Hawksworth for you. Always theatrical.” The duke waved his hand in dismissal. “Now, tell me about your wife.”
“Well, she’s not my wife yet.” Edward smiled as memories of Penelope in his arms crowded his thoughts. “But I plan to make her my wife.” He frowned for a moment. “That is, if she’ll have me and if her brother agrees.”
“Well, of course, her brother will. She’s already your wife and your future duchess.”
“Sir—”
“When you both declared that you were husband and wife, you married. You were on Scottish soil.”
“What are you saying?” Edward sat on the edge of his seat and nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“There were witnesses, including Hawksworth. Not that you needed them. Just both of you acknowledging that you were married was enough to make it legal.”
“Your Grace, I don’t believe that’s how a valid English marriage works.”
“Young man,” the duke said with authority.
“I can see by the look on your face that you think I’ve lost my mind.
I probably have. But with this, I have not.
” The duke leaned forward. Remember that inn where you and Lady Penelope said you were husband and wife?
You were in Scotland. When you said you were her husband, and she said that she was your wife, that was as good as being in a church and saying your vows in front of the vicar.
Hawksworth was there and heard it as well.
He knows the law, including Scottish law.
Ever heard of handfasting? You and Lady Penelope are husband and wife. ”
Edward silently scoffed at the argument but ensured his manners didn’t insult the old man. “Respectfully, sir, that’s not a legal marriage in England.”
The duke glanced out the window for a moment, then turned to Edward with a sly smile.
“There was a couple who claimed to be married in their letters to each other. The husband tried to ignore their marriage and married someone else, but the wife filed a bigamy suit against him in an English court. The court agreed that under Scottish law, it was a legal marriage when they stated in writing that they were husband and wife. Scotland had recognized such marriages for centuries. The court said if it was a legal marriage in Scotland, then it was a legal marriage in England.” The old man slowly leaned back against his pillow and closed his eyes again. “Ask Hawksworth if you doubt me.”
Edward sat still as the old man rested. If what the duke said was true, he had to discuss such a marriage with Pen as soon as possible.
They needed to tell her brother. He released a shallow exhale.
Edward would have to face Kenbrooks, and whatever punishment he felt warranted, Edward would take it.
He should have never agreed to travel to the village without Penelope by his side.
” But his heart tripped at such a thought that Pen, his darling Penelope, was already his wife.
He stilled for a moment. What if she didn’t want to be married in such a manner?
What if she wanted a wedding that would allow all her sisters and their husbands to attend the ceremony and celebrate afterward?
Then and there, he made up his mind. Whatever his darling wife wanted, she would receive.
He would marry her a hundred times over.
Nay, make that a thousand times over if it brought a smile to her beautiful face.
“My boy?” The duke’s weak voice broke the quiet surrounding them both.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Would you mind calling me grandfather?”
Edward smiled and squeezed the old man’s hand again. “Gladly, Grandfather.”
The old duke beamed weakly, but still it was a smile. “I’m leaving everything to you. When I take my last breath, you’ll be one of the wealthiest men in England.”
“Let us hope that is not for a long while, Grandfather. You should rest.”
“Ack, I can rest in heaven. I have too much to share with you. More importantly, I want to know everything about you.” He peeked at Edward with one eye. “But would you stay with me until…”
He didn’t finish the last part. The old man didn’t want to die alone. And Edward didn’t want that for him either. There was so much about his father and his newly found grandfather he was curious about.
“It would be my honor to stay with you.” Edward leaned in closer. "But I must write a letter to Penelope and let her know where I am and what I’m doing. She has no idea what happened to me.”
The duke nodded once. “Once you finish, I’ll have one of my fastest footmen take it to her by horseback immediately.”
“Thank you.” Edward swallowed.
“She’s a marvelous choice for your duchess.” He coughed again. “She was the pride and joy of her father.”
“Now, she’s my pride and joy,” Edward said softly.
“You love her, then?” his grandfather asked.
“Yes. I always have.”
The old man nodded. “Good.”
“And I always will.”
The duke sighed. “There’s a quill and parchment in my desk over by the window. Write your lady wife and tell her how much you love her. Then let’s bring her to London.”
His grandfather didn’t need to say it twice. Edward was on his feet and heading to the desk. He couldn’t wait to tell Pen everything that happened.