Chapter 15 #5
Killian coughed, and Garret reconsidered.
“Actually, that doesn’t matter. I first met her when she sold me flowers outside the Theatre Royal.”
“Oh, she sells flowers,” Mariah said.
“She did years ago, but when I met her recently, she was working at a coffee shop and trying to save up enough money to buy her half brother and half sister back from a chimney sweep named Snoozer.”
“Is this why you took a sudden interest in chimney sweeps?” his mother asked.
“Yes. I wanted to help her find the children. They were sold without her mother’s consent, and she hadn’t seen them for months.”
“Oh, that’s horrible!” Mama said, taking Mariah’s hand. “Of course, you must help bring them home if their mother did not apprentice them.”
“Yes, well, I devised a plan whereby I could attempt to locate the sweep and court an heiress.” Garret went on to explain how he and Tamsin had visited houses in Mayfair, trying to gather information about Snoozer, and how the more time he spent with Tamsin, the more he liked her.
“But of course when she discovered I was looking to marry an heiress, she wanted nothing to do with me.”
“Sorry about that,” Killian said.
“Killian has met her?” Papa asked.
“Briefly,” Killian said.
“And don’t be sorry. I should have told her myself. After that I really did try to seriously court Lady Callista. She gave me every opportunity to propose, but I couldn’t do it.”
“Because you are in love with Miss Archer,” Mariah said, her voice dreamy.
Garret nodded. “Exactly. But she’d made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me, so I was surprised when a couple of broomers found me and told me she needed my help.
I followed them to a hospital in Blackfriars.
Miss Archer had tracked down her young siblings herself, and the little girl was trapped in a chimney. ”
Mama put her hands to her mouth. “Oh, how awful!”
“The sweep, Snoozer, had returned and fought with Tamsin—er, Miss Archer. He wanted to light a fire in the chimney and scare the child out.”
“Barbaric,” Papa said under his breath.
“I managed to hold him off, and Miss Archer’s brother ended up climbing to his sister and helping free her. The children would have had to return to work under the sweep, except that it was discovered he had stolen several items from one of the doctors.”
“Convenient,” Killian muttered under his breath.
“He was taken into custody by the magistrate, and I spent most of last night dealing with the broomers who wanted to go home or to orphanages. I asked our solicitor Mr. Bentley for help, which is why he was looking for me. I don’t know what the magistrate wants, perhaps my testimony. I shall call on him later.
“This morning I went to see Miss Archer. To say goodbye.”
“Oh.” Mariah’s face fell.
“She has her siblings back, and she’s found a new place. She’s apprenticed to Mr. Maillardet. It turns out she has a talent for repairing automatons. She doesn’t need me anymore.”
No one spoke, and Garret sighed.
“But I need her.” He rose and paced toward the fire then saw Liam’s dark expression and went the other way.
“I know she’s not suitable. I know she’s not who you wanted me to marry.
And I am well aware she is not an heiress.
I promised I’d marry an heiress and end our troubles, but I can’t do it.
I am in love with Miss Archer, and the last thing I want to do is scandalize this family or jeopardize Mariah’s chances at a good match, but I want to be with Tamsin—if she’ll still have me.
” He’d reached the window, and he looked out at the darkening square.
“If that means you must disown me, I’ll have to accept that. There’s no other way for me now.”
“None of that talk now,” Papa said. “You are my son, and nothing would convince me to disown you.”
Garret turned to look at his father, whose brown eyes were bright with what looked to be indignation. “I don’t even know if she’ll have me, but if she will, surely, you don’t want to be linked to a family with no connections and nothing to recommend it.”
“Do you love this woman?” Papa asked.
“Yes.”
“Do you wish to make her your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Then that is the end of the matter. If she accepts you, then we accept her.”
“And her family,” Mama added. She rose and went to Garret. “How could you think we expected you to sacrifice your happiness for a piece of land in Ireland or this town house?”
“I won’t marry her if it means Mariah has to wed some ancient duke.”
“I don’t think we’re that desperate yet,” Mama said, “but that decision will be Mariah’s as this decision is yours. We love you, Gearoid, and we will love the woman you love. Now, you must tell us about her. When can we meet her?”
“She hasn’t even accepted me yet.”
“What are you waiting for?” Papa asked. “Go to her.”
Garret looked at his mother and father. Their faces were bright with hope and happiness. Mariah’s eyes were glazed over with sentimentality, but when he caught her gaze, she nodded vigorously. Garret looked at Killian, who jerked his head toward the door. “Don’t let her get away, brother.”
Finally, Garret looked at Liam. Liam hadn’t spoken throughout the conversation. He hadn’t moved, and his stoic expression hadn’t changed. “What say you, Liam? You’ll be the earl one day. Can you tolerate such a scandal on your name and title?”
Liam pushed away from the mantel. “I cannot say I understand your reasoning—or lack thereof—but it’s clear you won’t be happy without this woman. We Kildares can withstand a little scandal.”
Garret moved forward and shook Liam’s hand. “Thank you.” He looked about the drawing room. “Thank you all.”
Before he could turn on his heel and run back to Tamsin, Liam put a hand on his shoulder. “You do know what this means, don’t you?”
Garret frowned.
Liam smiled. “That summer house will be mine.”
“Not if it’s mine first,” Killian declared.
“Oh, bother!” Mariah said. “Everyone knows Daire will have it. He’s probably already proposed to an heiress.”
“Unlikely!” Papa said.
“You just want Daire to win because you’re his favorite sibling,” Killian accused.
Mariah crossed her arms. “I’m everyone’s favorite sibling!”
Garret watched them argue for a long moment, and then he quietly opened the door. Mrs. Ashworth was just arriving with the tea cart. “Oh, off so soon, Master Garret? Can’t you stay to eat?”
Garret took two sandwiches then picked up a napkin and piled all the food into it. “Tell Mama I’m sorry to pilfer tea, but I have business that cannot wait, Mrs. Ashworth.”
“Business? At this hour? I just told Cook to plan on another for dinner.”
“Right you are, Mrs. Ashworth! If all goes well, there will be another for dinner. Wish me luck!” He started down the stairs.
“Good luck,” she said, and pushed open the door to the noisy drawing room.