Chapter 14
Cora sat in the carriage with her mother and Jeremy. The ride had been relatively quiet. They weren’t far from Damion’s country estate and had joined a long line of carriages also headed toward the ball.
She and Jeremy hadn’t spoken much since the night Damion showed up at the family townhouse. Gossip had appeared in the newspapers the next day. Still, Cora didn’t regret refusing Damion. She wanted to be certain he cared for her and that his request for marriage wasn't out of obligation.
Unfortunately, it was Jeremy who’d been dealing with the aftermath of the scandal, receiving missives from the paper about the Stanton family's response. Cora supposed she was more fortunate than others. She was a duke’s sister.
There was only so much that anyone would dare write or speak aloud in public.
“This is the most awkward ride I’ve had in ages,” her mother groaned.
“I’m sorry, Mother. Jeremy is cross with me.”
“I’m not. I just don’t see why you couldn’t have accepted when he proposed at the townhouse.”
“She wants love,” her mother pointed out.
“And she knows that she loves Blythe in only a week?” her brother questioned, skeptical.
“I do love him. I want him to propose in a way that isn’t tied to a scandal. Is that so wrong? You are the one who declared to Mother that love was the most important thing, and now you act as if I don’t know my own heart.”
She was shocked by her brother’s skepticism. He was the one who shielded her from their mother’s constant pressure to find a suitor during her last three Seasons, always insisting that her match would come when the time was right.
“I have a hard time believing you know that after seven days.”
“I knew I loved your father the first moment I met him,” her mother declared.
Her brother's brows shot up in disbelief, but her mother insisted, “I did. It doesn’t always happen that way. Still, no matter if it is a day, week, or months, eventually the realization will strike that the other person is meant to be yours forever.”
“Exactly.”
“Then why didn’t you say yes?” he asked.
“Maybe it is selfish, but I wanted the proposal to be about our feelings, not duty.”
“You will understand when you fall in love,” her mother assured.
Her brother softened slightly. “I do want you happy.”
“Thank you,” she said, sensing that his mood might start to improve.
The carriage stopped, and their driver opened the door. Crowds of people streamed inside the grand manor house. Cora was stunned at how many people Damion convinced to attend, but she supposed when you were a duke, all clamored at the chance.
They walked into the foyer, and Cora stumbled to a stop. The entrance contained two massive globes on each side. Where had Damion acquired them? Her mother chuckled. “He certainly knows you.”
Cora followed her brother and mother into the ballroom, even more shocked. An enormous tapestry containing a map of North America hung on one wall. It was old and stunning.
“There are maps all along the outside of the room,” her mother said, amazed.
She stepped toward them, overcome with emotion that Damion found all these in a week, and he’d done it for her. Jeremy smirked. “Blythe is impressing me.”
They were all on angled tables for better viewing. She peered down at one, and it was a print of the map she’d told Damion was currently her favorite. It measured distance to various locations from England.
“The theme of the night is ‘The World,’” Damion said from behind them.
She turned. “How did you do this?”
“Several historical clubs have lent me maps to make it happen. I also have some small dishes for when you are hungry, including meat pies and apple tarts.”
Cora’s eyes started to water. This man was trying to show her that he saw and heard her. He’d found all her favorite things and incorporated them into this evening’s event. A waltz began to play, and he held out his arm. “May I have this dance?”
He was claiming her as his even though scandal hung over them. She said, “Yes, I would love that.”
A sigh of relief escaped Jeremy, and Cora rolled her eyes but allowed Damion to escort her onto the dance floor. He started to move them around the floor. “I’m grateful for all you’ve done.”
“I love you, Cora. It may feel sudden—”
“It isn’t. I love you too.”
He smiled down at her, and a rightness flowed between them. “I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”
“Will you come to my guest bedchamber? I want to be alone with you.”
Damion glanced at Stanton, who watched them from the side of the dance floor. “Your brother still wants to murder me.”
She giggled. “He is softening.”
His brow lifted skeptically, and she insisted, “He is.”
Damion dropped his head down and whispered. “I will come to your room after everyone is asleep.”
Happiness thrummed through Cora. She was dancing with the man she was supposed to be with. Cora wondered when he would ask her to be his wife again. She was ready.
***
Damion made his way to where Stanton stood outside on the terrace. He wanted to speak with his friend before he proposed to Cora. He didn’t want them to fight with each other. Stanton would be his brother-in-law.
“Care to join me in my study for a brandy?”
“Yes, it is so crowded in there. Did you invite all of London?” Stanton muttered.
“I want everyone to see my devotion to your sister. I didn’t want her, you, or anyone else to doubt my feelings for her.”
They exited the terrace and walked through the ballroom to his study. He shut the door behind them, and Stanton plopped down in a chair. “Thank you for the reprieve.”
Damion poured them both a brandy before joining Stanton in the sitting area. “I wanted to apologize for the scandal I caused. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone after Bellamy like that.”
“You should be apologizing for whatever happened between you and Cora at my country estate,” his friend bit out.
He couldn’t apologize for any of that. Damion found the love of his life because of those moments. He smiled, remembering Cora asking him to teach her how to be tempting.
“Ugh…why are you smiling like that? No, don’t tell me. You look like a man in love.”
He was and would remain in love with Cora until his dying day. “I plan to propose to Cora tonight in front of everyone, but I want your blessing.”
His friend studied him but eventually said, “Of course, you have it. I don’t like how this all happened, but I couldn’t think of a better man for my sister. And I’m sorry about your first marriage. I’d always assumed what the rest of society did, that you loved her quite desperately.”
“I didn’t want anyone to think poorly of Lily. We were both foolish.”
Stanton nodded. “I understand why you were so adamant about your advice now. Thank you.”
“Thank you for your blessing. It matters a great deal to me,” Damion said.
“We will get past this. I only want to ensure her happiness.”
“I will do my best. I want to take her on a trip after our wedding. Maybe to America,” he revealed.
Stanton's brows shot up, but then he grinned. “Cora would love that.”
Damion finished his drink and rose. Stanton joined him. “Is it time now?”
“Yes.”
They made their way back into the ballroom, and Damion studied Cora. She was stunning in a lavender-and-silver gown. Her blonde hair was tied up in an elegant bun that he itched to unwind. A moment of worry filled him. What if she said no?
Then her eyes connected with his, and he knew what her answer would be. She stood with her mother and friends. They all sensed that something was about to happen because they stepped back as he approached, giving him and Cora space.
She smiled at him. “Your Grace.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. Sighs broke out across the room. Everyone watched them.
“Lady Cora, you have captured my heart. I can honestly say that I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you. I want to travel, raise children, and quarrel over nonsense with you.”
The last bit made several people laugh. She shook her head at him. He stepped closer to her. “Will you make me the happiest man and become my wife?”
“Yes. I choose you, Damion.”
He pressed his lips to hers, and everyone applauded. The act was somewhat scandalous, but he didn’t give a damn; this was the woman he loved. Pulling her close, he whispered, “You are mine, and I’m yours.”
“Forever.”