Chapter 16
When Deborah returned downstairs, ready to leave Maywood Manor and travel to Scotland, she found most of the guests were breaking their fast. All except for her siblings and their spouses, or Percy.
No doubt her sister and brothers were going to try and talk her out of leaving, but she would not be swayed.
She was still angry. So much so that her hands had shook as she packed her clothing away in her trunk.
As much as they hated Danby’s manipulation, they then did the same to her.
They would likely do the same to Sarah next and Deborah had half a mind to rescue her younger sister from any intentions her family may have for her.
She paused in the dining room only long enough to assure herself that family was indeed not within and decide if she should eat before beginning her travels, except the very idea of food made her stomach tighten and nearly revolt.
It was better to wait until she was calmer, which would be when she was away from here.
She first went to the parlor but when she did not find them inside, went to the drawing room and finally found them waiting in the room where she had left them, the library.
“You cannot talk me out of my intentions.”
“We have no intention of doing so,” Sam answered, much to her surprise.
“Yes, well, when Percy returns, we shall take our leave.”
“We only need to ask for our trunks to be delivered to the carriage,” he said as he entered the library and stopped by her side.
“I have but one request before you leave,” Peter said as he stepped forward.
“I am not of a mind to grant you anything,” Deborah returned.
“I have been ordered to give this missive to Shrewsbury and keep him here until it is read.”
With those words, the door closed and she turned to find Sam leaning against it, arms crossed over his chest as Hannah took up a position before the door leading to the terrace.
“What are you about?” Percy asked.
“You said we are free to leave,” Deborah reminded them.
“Only after Shrewsbury reads the missive,” Peter answered.
Deborah’s stomach sank. There is only one person who would insist on a letter being read because the same had happened to Hannah—The Duke of Danby.
But how could he possibly know Percy would be there?
It must be something else. Maybe it was from her eldest brother. Except, how could he know Percy would be here, unless someone had told him?
Deborah massaged her temples as a headache began to build.
“Do I read the letter?” Percy asked. “Even with an injured knee I could get past them and I do not think they would attempt to hit me again.”
“Read it.” Deborah blew out a breath then wandered to the settee and fell onto it.
Percy broke the wax seal and now she wished that she had looked to see if she could determine who it was from but it was too late.
“Aloud so Deborah hears it too,” Sam instructed.
“How do you know that it is not too personal?”
“I assure you that it is not,” Hannah promised.
“What does it say?” Deborah asked as exhaustion replaced her anger, but only because she had not slept well the night before.
Percy unfolded the parchment and stared at the elegant handwriting, but before he read the letter, he looked to the bottom to see who had signed it.
Why had the Duke of Danby written a letter to him and had it delivered or brought here?
Shrewsbury,
If you are reading this then I can only assume that you finally gained the nerve to ignore Deborah’s mother, your lost friendship with Peter, and go against my instructions to finally claim Deborah against all opposition.
Percy looked up from the missive. “Your family is mad, Deborah. Mad!”
“I know.”
I was quite displeased with Peter when he told me what had happened. I had not yet settled on a husband for Deborah and determined that you would be a good match and worthy of her. That is, until last spring.
“He warned me away from you last spring!”
When you did not even attempt to fight for Deborah, I began to reconsider if you were the right husband for my great-niece.
I could have easily ordered the betrothal but you had not earned that right because you had not attempted to stand up to her mother.
If you could not ask for a dance then you would never have control in your marriage and that woman is the most difficult I have ever encountered.
He already knew that visiting with his future mother-in-law was not going to be pleasant.
As you are reading this letter, I can only assume that you have finally pursued Deborah and secured her agreement to wed, even without the blessing of her eldest brother, therefore, you have my permission.
I have enclosed a Special License and I suggest that you use it expediently before Deborah’s mother becomes aware.
Danby
“How did he even know?” Deborah demanded.
“Peter overheard me discussing Deborah coming here for Christmas with Mother. I had assumed he would never dream of telling Danby, but I also did not know what had transpired in the past,” Hannah explained.
“I had told Danby last Christmas what I had witnessed between Deborah and Percy and my reaction. He had not been pleased by my reaction. Far from pleased and I believe my ears were ringing for a few days,” Peter grumbled.
“Even though Danby had not decided on a husband for Deborah, the fact that a gentleman, who appeared to be worthy, was already interested would have made for an easier match than the rest of his relatives. However, he wanted to see how the two of you interacted during the Season before he made a final decision. After Johanna and I were married, Danby had ordered me to find a way to bring the two of you together to see what happened and if Percy would finally go against the wishes of everyone and pursue Deborah. When I learned that she would be here for Christmas, I told our great-uncle.”
“Remind me never to trust you again,” Deborah grumbled, except she did not sound overly upset.
“Shortly thereafter I received a missive instructing me to invite Shrewsbury for Christmas,” Wingate offered.
“I was only trying to determine how or why I would invite someone to a family holiday when my brothers complained that the house would be overrun with women, thus I suggested they invite bachelor friends and suggested Shrewsbury along with the names of their other friends.”
“We still weren’t certain if this was something you would want, Deborah,” Hannah insisted. “Just because Danby says it is so, does not mean that it always is, but given the past, we thought to at least see for ourselves.”
“Oh, I want to be angry with each of you, but I am also confident that had I rejected Percy you would not have forced the matter and for that I thank you.”
“I suppose we do not need to leave for Gretna Green?” Percy asked with a chuckle. The Duke of Danby did manipulate his relatives in the most unexpected ways. And, if he could avoid the long carriage ride to Scotland, all the better.
“Only if you want to,” Sam said as he pulled away from the door.
“The vicar has already been alerted that this could happen anytime between Christmas Eve and Epiphany and all we need to do is show up at the church, and since he lives next door to it, he will see that it is done.”
Percy looked over at Deborah. “Married on Christmas Day?” he asked, hoping that she did not want to travel all the way to Scotland.
She smiled as she stood and walked toward him.
“Married on Christmas Day.” Then she took his hand and strolled toward the open door, with Percy limping behind her.
When she reached the entry, she stopped and turned to face him.
“After we have broken our fast and shared this.” She then placed her hands on his face and drew him down until her lips pressed against his. “Oh, I do love mistletoe.”
“Yesterday, I had not agreed with you but have since changed my mind.”