Chapter Eleven #2
“Yes, thank you.” Drake braved a sip of the pale-yellow liquid, which he usually let pass, and was pleasantly surprised. “Sweet but tart. I believe this is the best lemonade I have ever sampled.”
“It will not work, you know.” Felicity took a drink of her own.
“What will not work?”
“You are trying to change the subject. My dowry will more than cover all the repairs needed for the manor, and there will be plenty to spare.”
“If you insist upon a dowry, it will be held in your name to provide for you and our children should you become widowed. I will not make your future any more uncertain than it already is since you agreed to marry me. I am sure your brother will agree when he and I discuss it.” Drake licked his lips, discovering that the lemonade he had thought was good left a mawkish aftertaste that was not at all pleasant.
“Is that drink supposed to linger with such strength?”
Felicity puckered her lovely lips into a sour-faced pout.
“Joy’s cook refuses to add any salt to balance the sugar.
It is the unbridled sweetness that causes the lemon and lime to leave behind that cloying trail.
Salt is as important to a recipe as sugar.
” She braved another sip, then set her goblet back on the table.
“You could still use part of the dowry to hire more servants. Poor Yateston and Mrs. Pepperhill must surely be struggling to keep up.”
Everyone at Wakefield Manor was struggling, but that was neither here nor there.
He released a heavy sigh that turned into a groan.
They had only just mended their fences from their last misunderstandings, and here they were fussing again—about money.
Gads alive, but he hated the problems that financials caused.
“I love you,” he said, determined to keep the conversation on solid footing.
“But I need you to allow me to work this out with your brother in your best interest.” He would not ask her to leave him some small bit of pride.
Now was not the time for surliness. He had learned that much from his earlier outburst.
She eyed him for a long moment as though contemplating his fate. “I love you as well,” she finally said, “and once we are married, I hope you come to realize we are partners to help one another through anything. That is the way it was with my mama and papa.”
He idly ran his thumb up and down the stem of the lemonade goblet, unable to keep from smiling as a long-ago memory of his own parents came to mind.
“I believe that was the way of it with my parents, as well.” He slowly shook his head.
“It’s difficult to remember for certain.
I was very young when a fever took my mother. ”
“I am sorry.” She reached across the table and rested her hand on his. “I am discovering that no matter how many years pass, we still miss them.”
“Excuse me. Lady Felicity?”
Drake jerked and faced the man who dared to interrupt this private moment. “Lord Tinslow. How may we be of service?”
The viscount drew himself up and hiked his sharp nose higher in the air. “Excuse me, Lord Wakefield, but I need to speak with Lady Felicity.”
The man actually sounded as if he expected Drake to scurry off with his tail tucked between his legs.
Instead, Drake rose from his seat and squared off in front of the lordling, struggling to hold tight to his temper.
“Lady Felicity and I do not wish to be interrupted.” He turned to Felicity. “Do we, my love?”
The endearment sent a renewed blush to her cheeks, and she smiled. “Might we speak some other time, Lord Tinslow? You see, Lord Wakefield and I just became engaged.”
“Engaged?” The man’s shock was borderline insulting.
Felicity nervously shifted in her chair, and her smile became forced. “Yes. Engaged. The banns are to be announced this Sunday.”
Tinslow aimed a damning glare at Drake. “You have nothing to offer this delightful creature. Have you no honor?”
“Have you no manners?” Drake widened his stance, ready to pummel the man, but only if forced.
He would not be the ruination of Lady Joy’s party.
That would not sit well with his future in-laws.
“This delightful gathering is not the place for this conversation. In fact, there is no place for this conversation, because my engagement to the lovely Lady Felicity is none of your affair.”
Tinslow puffed up even more. “I intended to ask for her hand.”
“It is not my hand that chooses whom I marry, my lord,” Felicity said. “It is my heart.”
The viscount snorted. “Your heart will not keep you clothed and fed, my lady. This man has nothing but his land and tenant farmers who struggle under his poor management. I cannot believe you would willingly condemn yourself to such a life.”
Raging inside, Drake stepped forward, caught the man up by his poorly tied cravat, and forcibly walked him back until they were well behind the tent. “Your conversation with my intended is quite finished, Lord Tinslow. On your way now, my good man.” Then he punched him in the jaw. Hard.
The viscount tumbled back into the bushes and went still.
“Oh, dear heavens, Drake, did you kill the fool?”
“No, my dearest.” He waved Felicity back while glancing around to ensure he had not attracted any unwanted spectators.
“He is merely having a bit of a nap. I am sure he will be quite all right in a little while.” He tucked her arm through his and ushered her away.
“Come. Let us enjoy your sister’s party. ”
She grinned up at him. “You handled that quite nicely. You are my knight in shining armor.”
“I am not so certain about that, but I did not like the way he spoke to you. He had no right.” The viscount might’ve been correct about their life not being filled with the luxuries Felicity was accustomed to, but it was not that bastard’s place to chide her for her choice.
Drake pulled up short. “You know there will be many who share Lord Tinslow’s feelings?”
“That is their problem. Not mine.” Felicity gave a curt nod as if proud of herself for taking such a stance.
“I cannot live my life by everyone else’s expectations.
I know that now. I might still prefer a quiet corner rather than the center of the party, but I am determined to no longer be a cowering little mouse. ”
After stealing a glance at the other guests, he hurried to kiss her hand.
“You are not a cowering mouse, but a gem of the first water.” He glanced back at the bushes where the viscount had landed, then placed her hand on his arm.
“Come. Let us find another place to sit and enjoy each other’s company.
” Unable to stop himself, he grinned. “This area is entirely too crowded.”
Felicity laughed. “We should probably warn Joy that Lord Tinslow is napping in her boxwoods.”
“Is she overly fond of the man?” Drake hoped he hadn’t erred in bettering the viscount’s manners.
Felicity grew thoughtful. “I do not think so. He is her closest neighbor to the north. I believe she is simply kind to him because…” She frowned.
“The last time I met Lord Tinslow, he was married. I remember his wife now. Seems as though I recall Joy saying the poor woman died just this past winter.” She snorted.
“He has no young children in need of a mother to explain his wish to remarry so soon. The man should still be in mourning. How despicable!”
“And sad.”
“Indeed. It makes one wonder how he treated her while she lived.” She squeezed Drake’s arm. “No matter. I chose the better man.”
Hearing her say that both thrilled and saddened him.
“I am glad you chose me, my lady. I would be lost without you.” And as soon as he returned to Binnocksbourne, he would be visiting the inn and calling upon Rum and Catherty.
Yateston had discovered the moneylenders had taken up residence there like vultures circling a dying animal.
Well, he was determined to live, and just as determined to thwart them.