Chapter Thirty-Three
Lord Richard Does an About-Face
After she left, Richard walked into his adjoining study.
He didn’t expect to return to sleep. There was far too much to consider, and foremost on his mind was how to persuade Gerald Rafferty to agree to a marriage with his daughter.
He sank into a comfortable chair to think.
A house servant would be in soon to start the fire, but John never disturbed him before eight o’clock.
He enjoyed rising early in spite of keeping late hours. Today there would be no time for a morning ride, nor a visit to Jackson’s Saloon for a bout of boxing, as was his custom. Instead, he would insist on seeing Rafferty.
Around six o’clock, a soft knock sounded on the door, and he opened it to a manservant who lit the fire silently and left the room.
Pouring a shot of whiskey from last night’s crystal decanter, he settled into the overstuffed armchair, holding out his bare feet toward the fire.
It was early for spirits, but Richard felt a bit like bucking custom.
He just had the best sex of his life, and he wanted to savor the memory a bit longer.
In the past, he had insisted on waking alone, but not with Fiona; she belonged at his side in the morning, tousled and languorous from their lovemaking.
There would be no separate beds in their marriage.
It was paramount to form a strategy in time to get a message to Gerald Rafferty when the hour was decent.
But permission or none, Fiona would be his wife.
Sometime later, as daylight crept in the window, he yawned, stretching. On the desk, a red wax stamp with his seal dried on the envelope addressed to Gerald Rafferty, Esq. It contained a brief missive.
Dear Mr. Rafferty:
Might I have the honor of addressing you in person this day at your earliest convenience? It is my sincerest hope that we may speak cordially despite our past differences. The matter is quite urgent and concerns one whom we both care for deeply and whose best interests are close to our hearts.
I look forward to your reply,
Richard Anthony Creighton Merrick, Earl of Seldon
After all the clever turns of phrases Richard tried to write, in the end, he simply requested a meeting as politely as possible. Convincing her father in person was best, and he hoped to God that would suffice.
He was exhausted, mentally and physically.
The few hours of sleep last night barely registered, and it seemed he had just slipped back into bed when John entered with a tray of coffee and biscuits.
Nevertheless, Richard sprang up immediately and gave him Rafferty’s letter, requesting that a footman deliver it without delay.
When the valet returned with assurance it was on the way, Richard dressed with particular care, redoing his cravat twice and changing from a black coat to one of blue superfine, then back again.
Shortly after nine o’clock, he ventured to the breakfast room where Fiona sat, conversing with his sister. She paused in mid-sentence, a rosy color staining her cheeks.
“Good morning, my dear. Are you feeling rested?”
“I slept a bit unevenly, but I woke up feeling quite wonderful.”
He settled into his chair and unfolded the linen napkin before him. “I’m glad to hear it. Good morning, Valentina. You’re up early today.”
“Yes, I am.” Valentina buttered her toast, adding a dollop of strawberry jam as the footman filled Richard’s cup. “Mother is coming down, too. We’re anxious to hear the outcome of your talk with Mr. Rafferty.”
Lady Amelia entered the room, dressed in pale lilac.
“Good morning, my darlings. I hope there has been no disruption to our plans with the unexpected arrival of Mr. Rafferty. He did not seem pleased with you, Richard. Octavia begged to join us for breakfast this morning, but I asked her to eat in the schoolroom with Miss Ernest so that we might talk.”
Richard waved away the footman. “Thank you, but we will serve ourselves.” He rose and went to the cherrywood sideboard, taking a plate from the top of the stack.
“Fiona’s father was unhappy with her situation.
He seemed to think I coerced her into marriage and took advantage of her vulnerable state. ”
Lady Amelia’s teacup paused in mid-air, and she placed it in the saucer with a click of porcelain. “I would have thought he knew his daughter better than that. Vulnerable is not a word I would use to describe Fiona.”
Richard helped himself to eggs and bacon and took two pieces of toast. “May I bring you something, Mother?”
“A pastry, please. The very idea of you having to coerce a girl into marriage…really! What could he have been thinking?”
“Mr. Rafferty was not far off the mark, I’m afraid.” He put a sweet roll on her plate. “I convinced her there was no choice but to accept my suit.” Fiona looked up from her toast and jam in surprise.
“What on earth are you saying, Richard?” Lady Amelia asked, frowning.
He sat and calmly took a bite of scrambled eggs. “Mrs. Drummond-Burrell and Lady Jersey discovered us in a compromising situation at the musicale. We were kissing in the conservatory.”
“Oh, dear, is that all?” his mother said with relief. “Although I’m surprised you chose such a public place to do it.”
He decided no further details were necessary. “I sent a note to Mr. Rafferty early this morning, asking permission to call on him. I’m confident I can convince him to agree to the marriage.”
A servant entered, handing him an envelope and a calling card, and waited for instructions. Richard quickly tore open the envelope. “This must be your father’s answer.” Relief washed through him as he scanned the enclosed note. “He says to call at noon. The card is from Denys.”
He turned to the servant. “You may show Mr. Spencer to my study, and I will give you a letter to return for the message.”
Valentina looked pale. “Denys is here? But he was to wait until tomorrow—” She broke off, covering her mouth hastily.
Putting his napkin aside, he regarded his sister with curiosity. “Oh, was he? What’s afoot, Valentina?”
“Oh, my…is it near ten already? I promised to help Octavia with her French.” Without another word, Valentina hurried off, the skirts of her azure morning gown swishing as she exited.
“I’ll meet with Denys, then go directly to your father, Fiona.”
“Richard, please be careful what you say, and do not challenge him,” she begged. “He can be so very stubborn.”
He smiled. “That may be true, but I have a trump card. He loves you dearly and only wants your happiness.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t go with you?”
“No, my dear,” he said gently. “I acted rashly yesterday. The task to repair things is mine alone.”
When Richard entered his study, Denys waited by the window.
“Have you come to enquire about Rafferty’s visit? I intended to send you a note later. He has not given his blessing yet, but I am meeting with him directly after this to discuss the matter.”
“That’s good to hear, Richard. I was concerned that you two might have quarreled.”
“We did. He accused me of taking advantage of my guardianship, and it stung because it’s true. Then I reacted badly and called off the engagement. Things did not end well.”
“What? Are you serious? You cried off?”
“Unfortunately, I did. And I have my work cut out to mend the breach, I fear. I wish I had listened to you sooner, Denys, and revealed my true feelings for Fiona. She and I have been at cross purposes since she arrived, each fighting our mutual attraction. But we are determined to marry now. I love her, and she returns that love, to my immense relief.”
“That is good news indeed,” Denys said, taking a turn about the room.
Puzzled, Richard took a comfortable chair and waited for him to settle. He was pressed for time to make his appointment with Gerald Rafferty at noon, but there was obviously something important behind Denys’s visit.
“Please sit, Denys. Can I ring for some coffee or tea?”
“No, thank you, and I prefer to stand. Despite this dilemma with Mr. Rafferty, you seem happy. I’m glad for you, Richard.
But there’s an entirely different subject I need to speak to you about.
” He took another restless walk across the room and paused in front of the window, removing his gloves and twisting them in his hands.
“I haven’t told you yet, in light of Rafferty’s return, but I’ve had significant news.
Do you remember my Uncle Niles, who was involved in the founding of the East India Company? ”
“Vaguely. You never had much to do with him. He was immersed in the trade business as I recall.”
“He was well into his sixties and just passed away. As it turns out, I am his closest living male relative. My uncle bequeathed me his assets in the East India Company, with the addition of a modest inheritance.” He put a hand up to stay Richard, who would have risen to congratulate him, and set his gloves on the corner of the desk.
“Let me continue, or I shall lose courage entirely. Richard, I—this change in my circumstances, and the completion of repairs on his estate in Lincolnshire, have encouraged me—emboldened me, I should say, to ask for Valentina’s hand in marriage.”
Richard sat back slowly. He had wondered if Denys’s affection lay in that direction but far underestimated the seriousness of the matter.
Silently, he studied the gold signet ring on his right hand and thought carefully about how to answer.
Denys reached up to loosen his cravat as if it were choking him.
“And is my sister of the same mind regarding marriage?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.
“Yes. I asked Valentina’s permission to address you as soon as I got news of my uncle’s death.
We love each other, Richard. I know it is not what you hoped for in a match.
God knows she is worthy of far more than I can offer.
But wouldn’t you rather have her married to someone she loves than unhappy in some arranged marriage?
I swear if there were anyone else she cared for, I would stand off.
I stayed quiet when it looked like Atterbury might propose—she deserves that and more.
But when she confessed she might marry him because she thought herself a burden to you, I could no longer remain silent. ”
Richard frowned. “Valentina said that?”
“Yes, she did. And it broke my heart to see her settle for less than love. I am no viscount, but we will be comfortable, and—”
With a sigh, he stood and extended his hand, wondering if love had made him an imbecile. “Best devote yourself to a lifetime of happiness then, for there is no sweeter, more generous woman on this earth.”
Denys’s radiant smile lit the room, and it made up for not finding Valentina a title. But if he was defying custom to marry outside the box, who was he to deny the same to a cherished sister?
“Richard! Does that mean you—you are saying yes?”
He nodded and Denys grasped his outstretched hand, pumping it enthusiastically.
“Oh, thank God. I don’t know what I would have done had you refused. Jumped off London Bridge, no doubt. My life would be meaningless without Valentina at my side.”
“I suppose until recently, I would have refused you, despite our deep friendship or your financial gains. My plans for Valentina’s happiness were ambitious indeed.”
“And I was sure you would object. What on earth did I say to change your mind?”
Richard walked over to the bay windows, staring at the street outside Merrick House. The London morning was in full play. People cluttered the sidewalk, and carriages lined the roadway.
“I realized my plans didn’t focus on my sister’s happiness, but on mine. And it wasn’t your eloquence that made the difference, although I’m pleased to find you care so deeply for Valentina. That means more to me now than it did some months ago.”
“Because you’re finally in love, Richard. I must admit I feared for you in that respect. You have had a certain detachment in your dealings with the fairer sex, and I worried you might marry for duty alone.”
“I would have,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I could accept the vulnerability love demands, but Fiona has taught me the rewards are worth the risk.
It’s a novel sensation to have your heart laid bare to another, but I’ll adapt.
Anyway, you know I must be quite delirious with happiness to accept your suit. ”
Denys grinned infectiously. “You will forgive me if I do not follow your example and rush to the altar. We don’t all have the stature to shake tradition. Valentina and I will observe custom, and plan to be married next fall.”
“Which reminds me…” He adjusted his cravat and reached for the beaver hat and gloves on the credenza. “I have a father-in-law to convince.”
Denys winced. “I don’t envy you that task, but I wish you all the luck in the world. Don’t let him raise your hackles, Richard. Stay the course and remember your purpose. And keep in mind the reward if you succeed.”
He bowed. “I’ll endeavor to do so.”