Chapter Nine
Greyson returned home and went directly to his study, where he wrote to his cousin, requesting her assistance during his upcoming assignment-related absence. He had just finished when a footman entered and announced Hunter.
“Would you like a drink?” Greyson asked, turning the letter over so Hunter could not see what he had written.
“No.”
“Letitia and I didn’t see you in Hyde Park. Were you there?”
“Yes, we saw you, but we were several carriages ahead of you. The ladies wanted the roof up because the wind was chilly.”
“Hmmm.”
“What, hmmmm?” Hunter inquired.
“Nothing. You seem nervous. Did something happen?”
“I’m here to request your permission to marry Lady Anastasia and to negotiate the marriage contract.”
Greyson tried to hide his smile as he opened the desk drawer and took out Anastasia’s marriage contract.
Before his father took ill, he had drafted both his sisters’ contracts.
He slid the document across his desk. “This is the contract my father already prepared for an event like this. He went so far as to incorporate the pin money and how you will provide for her and any children in the event of your death. Let me know if you are agreeable to it.” He should be.
Both his sisters came with ten thousand pounds to be placed in a trust in their names.
Their husbands would control the interest it accrued, which was the standard for marriage agreements.
Hunter’s eyes moved across the document and down. “Everything looks acceptable to me. No need to have my solicitor look at it.”
Greyson handed him a quill dipped in ink, and Hunter scribbled his name and date on the contract with a shaky hand. Greyson was surprised by Hunter’s nervousness, since he was an easygoing fellow, and it took a lot to make him jumpy.
“Phew,” he said, relaxing back in the chair. “I didn’t expect to be so nervous.” He ran his hand through his hair. “In fact, I’ll have that drink now, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I need one too after seeing my friend look like he was going to vomit on my desktop.” He stood, moved to the sideboard, poured two glasses of brandy, and handed one to his friend. “So, when do you plan to ask Anastasia?”
“Tonight, if you’ll allow me to come to dinner.”
“I’m sure Cook can whip up something special. I already invited Letitia, and I could send a note to Lord Warren. We’ll make a night of it.” He drained his drink, wondering whether, if and when he planned to propose, he’d be as nervous as Hunter. Most likely. “So when will the big day take place?”
Hunter choked on his drink. “Christ! Give a man a warning before you blurt out something like that!”
“Sorry,” he grinned. “Having never gone through it myself, I’m enjoying your discomfort.”
“Funny. If she says yes, which I believe she will, I hope you’ll have the banns posted this Sunday. After three Sundays, we can wed. That is, unless Anastasia wants a large, fancy wedding, which I pray she doesn’t. Waiting months will not be easy for either of us.”
A strange sound came from Greyson. “Please, I don’t want to think of the two of you together like that.”
Hunter snickered. “Why? It never bothered you when I spoke of other ladies.”
“Have a care. This is my sister, not one of your other ladies.”
“I know. I’m just teasing you for remarking that I looked like I was about to vomit.”
Greyson inhaled and let it out slowly. “I’m so happy for you both. She will say yes, and, with any luck, you will be married in a month.”
“Yes. I hope.”
Greyson leaned forward, his elbows on his desk and his fingers steepled. His demeanor grew serious. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything,” Hunter replied.
“On Wednesday, I need to leave on business for perhaps a fortnight. There’s an issue at our country estate that needs attention.
Since my father can’t go, the matter falls to me.
Could you and Anastasia pay Letitia a call or two while I’m gone?
Now that I’m practically courting her, I hate the idea of her staying home alone without visitors while I’m away. ”
“Of course we will. But you do realize she has friends. Close lady friends she visits, and they visit her. You, Greyson, are not her only friend.”
“I know that. What do you take me for?” He held up his hand. “Don’t answer that. Yes, she is friends with the Duchess of Blackstone and the Countess of Langford, but their husbands keep them very busy.”
“We will visit.”
“Thank you. I’m asking my cousin, Lady Charity Colbourn, to come and stay while I’m away.
Lord Colbourn is so busy with his clubs and political aspirations that he will hardly notice she’s gone.
I want you to understand that I trust you with Anastasia, but I need Lady Charity to keep a close watch on Aurora.
And if the nurse or my parents need anything, she will be here to help.
Having her here puts me at ease when I can’t be. ”
“I do understand,” Hunter said. “I’ve known you since before Eton, and I know how you are. How you pretend all is well while your insides are being tossed around, worrying over too much responsibility.”
He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I hope I’m not that obvious.”
“Not to others. To me and, most likely, to Stanton. Once Anastasia and I wed, you will have one less sister to worry about. I love her and will take good care of her. You will see us all the time, since my townhouse is only five doors down from yours.”
He groaned. “Don’t remind me. Seriously, though, thank you. I know I won’t have to worry about Anastasia, as she will be in good hands with you, my kind and loyal friend.”
Hunter stood. “I must go if I’m to be back for dinner. What time did you say?”
“Half seven and not a minute sooner.”
As Hunter left his study, his laughter faded with his departure.
Greyson knew Anastasia would have a good, loving, and fulfilling life with Hunter, so why did his heart ache?
Because he wanted what they would soon have with Letitia.
With his work with the Black Knights, was it possible?
Some of the members were married, so he knew it could work.
It was just that Letitia was wary of deceit, and he didn’t know how to avoid it.
On Wednesday, he had a long ride ahead of him, one that would take several days.
That would give him plenty of time to figure out how to make a future with Letitia work.
Meanwhile, he’d better send an invitation to dinner to Warren, or Aurora would be cross with him.
Once the note was finished, he folded it, sealed it with wax, and affixed his seal.
Someday soon, he would become the Earl of Danbury.
He would no longer be Greyson. It was an odd feeling to contemplate.
He hurried out of the study, rushed to the front door, and handed the note to Henderson. “Please have a footman deliver this straight away and wait for a reply.”
“Yes, my lord.”
He was halfway up the staircase, turned around, and hurried back down. “Henderson, please inform Mrs. Shepherd that we will have three guests for dinner and to prepare something special. Oh, and one more thing. Please send the carriage to pick up Lady Rutherford for half seven.”
“Yes, my lord. Is there anything else?”
“No, Henderson, that is all.”
He went back up the staircase. Before he made his way to his chambers, he stopped by his parents’ room to see how his father was faring.
When he knocked and entered, he found the room stiflingly hot, a large blaze burning in the hearth, and all the curtains closed.
“Mother,” he said as he opened the curtains, “it is hot as Hades in here.”
“Please don’t open a window. Your father was chilled earlier and is finally sleeping after struggling to rest most of the day.”
He closed the curtains on the windows he’d just opened. “I’m sorry. I should’ve checked on you both earlier today.”
“Nonsense,” his mother said from her place in the big bed.
She was sitting up, propped by a bevy of pillows.
“You have your sisters to chaperone, Lady Rutherford to court, and the earldom to run. You can’t possibly do everything.
You stop by at least twice a day, and your father and I appreciate it.
We couldn’t have asked for a better or more caring son.
Also, Mrs. Clark is wonderfully adept at her job as a nurse. You needn’t worry about us.”
His throat tightened. To him, it sounded as if his mother were saying goodbye. He pushed it aside, blinked to clear his eyes, and said, “Hunter has asked permission to marry Anastasia.”
Both of his mother’s hands covered her heart. “Oh my. I’m going to cry. This is wonderful news. I couldn’t be happier, and your father will be too when he finds out. When is Hunter proposing?”
“Tonight. He’s coming for dinner. Actually, Lady Rutherford and Lord Warren are as well. Are you up for dining with us?”
His mother sighed. “It’s so last-minute, and there isn’t time to make myself presentable. Perhaps next time.”
He moved to his mother’s side, bent down, and kissed her cheek. “Next time, then. Besides, you and Anastasia have a wedding to plan.”
Her eyes brightened, and she smiled. “We do. Now, be off with you. You must look your best for Lady Rutherford.”
“Yes, Mama.” Greyson strolled down the hall, past the staircase, and down the corridor that housed his chambers and those of his sisters.
Most single gentlemen of means and of age rented bachelor’s quarters.
Greyson had once lived in such quarters, but when his father took ill, he moved back home.
Bachelor’s quarters could be rowdy, making peace and quiet hard to find.
It wasn’t a hardship for him to move home. In fact, he was glad to be home.
After Dalton stopped fussing over him as they prepared for that evening, he went downstairs and into the drawing room, where he found both his sisters looking magnificent in their evening dresses. He bowed. “Ladies, how lovely you look.”