Chapter 26 #2
Isobel smiled and nodded, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, feeling safe and contented in the arms of the love that found her when she least expected it.
“That is absolutely perfect.”
In hindsight, perhaps Richard should have prepared a tad more before he met Isobel’s brother.
All he knew of the man was that he was a duke with a strong sense of justice and duty, and Isobel loved him immensely – as she did with every member of her family.
Richard had hoped that their meeting would go smoothly at least, but the moment he was led to a drawing room in Graham’s residence and was met with an icy glare, he knew it would not be an easy feat.
Isobel was seated by her brother’s side, and she visibly perked up at the sight of him, but when her brother made a sound of disapproval, she sighed.
“It has been three days already. Surely you would have reconciled with this idea by now,” she told him.
“Accepting it does not mean I must like it, and as of now, neither is the case,” Graham Lennox, duke of Rutledge, replied with an irritated glare in Richard’s direction.
Richard felt particularly confused at that, seeing as he was not the one that Graham was currently arguing with, but was still on the receiving end of his ire anyway.
“Good afternoon,” Richard greeted, hoping there was still time to make an impression. “I am Richard Harte, duke of Dellamere, and I have come to humbly request the honor of obtaining your sister’s hand.”
Graham’s glare darkened, and Richard felt his unease grow, but he refused to falter. He must prove that he was worthy of Isobel’s hand, and so, he kept his expression calm and open.
“And just how did you meet my sister? What on earth do you believe you know about her that makes you think you are worthy of her hand?” Graham questioned stiffly.
“You have not even introduced yourself, brother,” Isobel groaned quietly.
“He is already here, so I do not doubt that he knows who I am. The question remains if he was smart or foolish for this audacious move.” Grahm told her.
Richard could not help but notice how much softer his voice became as he spoke to his sister, and he smiled a little, only to be caught in that moment.
“Do you find me amusing, duke? I suppose you are so used to receiving everything you have ever wanted on a silver platter, but my sister is not merely a commodity I can trade as I see fit. No man unworthy of her will ever latch onto the mere idea of a life with her. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“Graham, please,” Isobel sighed.
To Richard, she spoke softly. “My apologies, Your Grace. My brother is… quite protective of me. There is no excuse for him to forget himself and his manners, however. Allow me to formally introduce Graham Lennox, duke of Rutledge. My dearest older brother.”
Isobel spoke fondly of him, even as she looked visibly irritated by his actions, and he was once again struck by how much she cared for those who mattered to her. And he wanted that, to be the reason her gaze softened and the cause of the smile on her lip.
And he hoped he would be that for her as well.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Richard said, even though Graham looked moments away from wringing his neck.
Just because it was not true at the moment did not mean that it would not be true later on.
“I still do not understand how you wound up with a man you claim you love. Is this what happens when I leave you without any supervision? And him? Of all people?” Graham sighed in disappointment at his sister.
Isobel visibly deflated, and the sight of her upset sparked something within Richard, and words spilled from his lips before he realized what he was doing.
“What, pray tell, is wrong with me? You have a lot of gripes, and I respect your opinion and feelings because this must be so sudden for you. Especially because I am not asking for permission to court her, but rather to marry Miss Lennox. But I would appreciate it if you elaborated on your distaste, so that I can do what I need for us to reach an agreement.” Richard stated calmly.
Graham’s expression turned dark.
“Oh, how utterly kind of you to want to know where my problems with you lie. If I told you that you – your very existence and character bothered me, would you do me a favor and disappear from my sight?” Graham leaned forward, seething.
“Graham!” Isobel gasped in surprise.
He turned to her immediately, his tone light once more as he spoke to his sister, while his hand gestured in Richard’s direction.
“I do not understand, Bel. Why do you love him so? He looks like the sort of man you cannot rely on. The very sort to value some ideals over your opinions. Untrustworthy and fickle.”
“With all due respect, you do not know me. You know nothing of my character or who I am, so your judgments are quite misplaced. I am willing to answer any questions you may have, but I will not simply sit idly by while you interpret my character to suit your distaste.” Richard told him, determined to prove himself worthy.
Graham was silent for a moment, and then he rose to his feet.
“In that case, I challenge you to a bout of boxing. The best and quickest way to learn more about a man is to fight him. Someone I know and respect taught me that.”
“Who? It certainly could not have been our dear father. He was a pacifist!” Isobel stated, bewildered.
Richard rose to his feet and stepped closer to Graham, his gaze unflinching as it met that of his opposition.
“If that is what you want. At the end of the day, I will marry Miss Lennox, one way or another.”
Graham looked surprised one moment, intrigued the next as he narrowed his eyes.
“That sounded like a challenge. Are you challenging me, duke?”
Richard shrugged. “If I must. Miss Lennox is worth it.”
A sigh came from the side, and Isobel stepped into the space between them, folding her arms as she faced her brother.
“Graham, you owe Richard your gratitude. He saved me from a fire, and he offered me support when I was handling a difficult situation recently. He has proven to me that he loves me, and I would be grateful if you would approve of his request. Please,” she begged.
Graham stared down at her for a moment, then he snapped,
“Who dared involve you in a fire?”
Richard quickly replied, “No one you need to worry about. Not anymore, at least. I handled it, and I will continue to deal with anyone who would like to try to hurt my beloved. No one will dare to touch my wife.”
Graham’s gaze slipped to him, and it was as though he was seeing Richard for the first time. Silently, he held out a hand, and when Richard had grasped it, Graham said,
“All I have ever wanted was a man who would protect and love her. And you are rather keen on doing so. Do not falter in your duties, or else I will find you, kill you, and bury you beneath the oak tree in my backyard. Do you understand?”
Richard nodded. “Absolutely.”
Graham grinned, winking at Isobel.
“You have my blessing. Make my beloved sister happy.”
Richard looked down at Isobel, feeling his heart thrum happily beneath her gaze, and he smiled at his wife-to-be.
“You have my word.”