Chapter Twenty-Two
Deo rose early as was his wont and took Kes out while Em slept. Returning to the house, he was approached by the duke’s butler, Creighton.
“A letter has arrived for you, my lord.” He held it out on a silver platter and Deo took it with thanks and a sinking stomach.
Slipping it into his coat pocket, he made his way upstairs with Kes.
Entering the sitting room, he sat down at the desk strewn with papers and books from last night and drew the letter out.
He looked at it for a moment, dreading and yet anxious to know what it said.
Taking a deep breath, he broke the seal and opened the sheet.
My Lord,
I regret to inform you that in the event that you have not obtained the lady’s father’s permission, her being underage does invalidate the marriage.
Following your instructions, we have written to Viscount Efford on your behalf to secure his permission, but have not, at the time of this writing, received a response.
The matter of the lady’s name on the marriage license being different to her birth name does not have a material bearing on the validity of the marriage from a legal standpoint.
However, in order to rectify the situation, and ensure that the marriage is legally binding, we recommend that once you have obtained Viscount Efford’s permission, you apply for a new license and exchange your vows again with the lady in question, should you wish to do so, of course.
In the event that you do not, you cannot be held legally responsible for the lady or the state of her reputation. In particular because she deceived you in the matter of her age.
I remain your obedient servant,
Charles Armitage, Esq.
Deo sat staring at this missive for some time, prey to a mix of emotions, not the least of which was indignation at the notion he was not responsible for Em or the state of her reputation.
Of course he was. If not legally then morally.
Both of which considerations were irrelevant anyway, as he wished to be married legally to Em.
The fact that he wasn’t made him feel rather sick.
Especially in light of the way they had been carrying on intimately for the past several days in particular. He was just thankful he had resisted the temptation to consummate the marriage fully. He knew it was a technicality, but his sense of honor was somewhat assuaged by the fact.
His impulse was to leave for London immediately to confront Viscount Efford and obtain his permission, but the fact that his solicitors had already written to him probably made that moot. He may very well receive a response almost on the heels of this letter he now held.
He could not think that Efford would withhold his consent in the circumstances.
It wasn’t as if he was a bad match for Em.
On the contrary, he was an excellent match on paper.
He was possessed of a title, significant independent means, a clean reputation, and a healthy body and mind.
The fact that Em was an heiress made no difference to him—his own income was sufficient to make it a nice bonus, but not one he had looked for. He would take Em if she were penniless.
The door opened and Em appeared in her robe, her hair tousled.
She hadn’t plaited it last night. He reflected that once, not very long ago, the notion of seeing a woman in such disarray would have embarrassed him.
Seeing Em like that gave him a flush of a different kind.
She is my wife. Except she isn’t. She came toward him.
“What is it, Deo? Is that the letter?”
He nodded.
“What does it say?”
He held it out, and she took it with visibly trembling fingers. She read it, twice he thought, before she met his gaze. She looked a trifle pale. “What will you do?”
“What it says. Wait to obtain your father’s permission and secure a new license.”
“You want to do that?”
“Of course I do!”
“Are you sure? It says you don’t have to,” she pointed out.
“I am sure,” he said stiffly. “If you are?”
Her face crumpled and she said tearfully, “Of course! But what if Mama won’t consent?”
He frowned and pulled her into his lap, wrapping an arm round her. “Your father has no say in the matter?”
“Mama always gets what she wants,” said Em, sniffing.
“I really don’t anticipate that will be an issue, Em. I’m quite eligible, you know. In any case, if your parents should withhold consent, it could be deemed unreasonable in the circumstances. I don’t need or want your fortune, Em. Unlike Bidenden, I couldn’t give a toss how much money you have.”
“Oh, Deo.” She flung her arms round his neck, and he squeezed her.
“We will sort it out, Em, don’t worry. But I’ll sleep out here tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because I am more determined than ever to do the right thing by you. The law may have scant regard for your rights, but my sense of honor will not allow me to compromise you further than you have already been compromised.”
“But my reputation would be past saving at this point, Deo, if people knew the truth.”
“That’s irrelevant. I do know. Don’t argue with me, please, Em, I am fixed on this, and you won’t change my mind.”
“Very well,” she said meekly and leaned in to kiss him. He kissed her, unable to resist; the temptation of her was overwhelming. He broke the kiss and tipped her off his lap, determined to do the right thing if it killed him.
“Go and dress. I’ll see you at breakfast,” he said gruffly.
She nodded, moving toward the bedroom door. She paused and looked back. “Thank you,” she said softly and slipped from the room, closing it behind her.
He sighed, closing his eyes. He loved her so much his chest ached with it. This would all be sorted in a couple of days. Then they could be comfortable.
*
After breakfast they repaired to the library to continue their work on the finds, and it took Emily all of five minutes to notice her sketchbook was missing.
“Deo, did you move my sketchbook?”
“No,” he looked up from the desk. “Where did you have it last?”
“I’d swear I put it here,” she said, pointing to the pile of papers in the middle of the trestle table at which she was working. “Annis’s sketches from the excavation are here, but my sketchbook with all my drawings in it isn’t.”
“It must be here somewhere,” he said, rising to help her look. “Perhaps it fell on the floor and a servant picked it up and put it somewhere when they were cleaning?”
Half an hour later they were still unable to find it.
“Perhaps Annis or the duke took it to look at something?” offered Em, feeling very frustrated and a little put out.
“Unlikely, but we will ask,” said Deo, heading for the door.
They found Emrys and Annis in the schoolroom with the children. Neither had touched her sketchbook, and they were concerned that she couldn’t find it.
The duchess they found in the parlor with the housekeeper going over daily accounts and menus.
Deo said, “Sarah, can we have a word?”
“Of course, we were just finishing up anyway. Thank you, Mrs. Williams.” The housekeeper curtsied politely and left the room.
“What is wrong?” asked Sarah.
Deo frowned. “I’m not sure, yet. But Em’s sketchbook has gone missing.”
“Oh, that is odd. Do you think the servants might be responsible?
“I hope not. It may just have been misplaced, but so far we haven’t been able to find it.”
“Do you want me to ask the servants?”
“Not yet. I don’t wish to accuse anyone of anything without evidence,” said Deo.
“It truly may have just been misplaced. Perhaps I’ve misremembered where I put it,” said Emily.
“Rob wouldn’t have taken it, would he?” asked Deo.
“He didn’t mention anything, but we can ask him. Did you ask Emrys and Annis?”
“Yes, we’ve already spoken to them.”
“Well, let’s go and ask Robert. He’s in his study with his steward this morning.” The duchess led the way, and they burst in on the duke in a group.
Rob looked up, surprised. “Good morning, my love. To what do I owe this delegation?”
The duchess went around to his side of the desk and murmured something in his ear.
His eyebrows went up and he shook his head. “No, I haven’t.” He waved to the man on the other side of his desk, “Giles, can you give us a moment, please?”
“Of course, Your Grace.” He rose and left the room, shutting the door behind him.
“This is most peculiar,” said the duke.
“I may have misremembered where I put it,” said Emily, blushing. She was starting to feel uncomfortable about the fuss she was causing. “If I can’t find it, I can redo the drawings of the items. It will just be the ones from the excavation that are lost.”
“But still, it is worrying,” said the duke, frowning. “I’m very reluctant to think any of the servants could be responsible. Most of them have been with us for years, and anyone new we employ always comes with excellent references.”
“Indeed, we don’t want to accuse anyone, do we, Deo?” said Emily quickly.
“Not without cause, no. Where are Kenrick and Bidenden?” he added.
“Creighton will know,” said the duke. “Out, I should think. Neither showed for breakfast.”
Lords Kenrick and Bidenden were indeed out.
“Lord Bidenden had business in Leicester this morning, I believe, and left the house before eight,” said Creighton. “Master Kenrick took his horse for a gallop at about ten o’clock. I am in expectation of them both returning for luncheon however.”
Emily and Deo returned to the library, and she sat down at the table. “I shall just have to do new drawings, Deo, and we will hope the sketchbook turns up. Oh, wait! Perhaps I took it upstairs last night?”
“Wouldn’t you have remembered?”
She shrugged, “I was a little distracted last night. I was very excited! I’ll just go and look. It won’t hurt to check.”