Chapter 38- Callum
It had been difficult for Callum to leave Margaret’s side after their betrothal. He kept glancing down at her, wondering what piece of jewelry she’d like as a token of his love.
He’d noticed that she wore many different necklaces, so he discounted that item.
He wouldn’t want to keep her from decorating her person as she liked.
Yet in all the time they’d known each other, she’d only worn one ring.
Callum thought that was the best choice, so after the ball, he’d sent a note to the residence of one Mr. Rotherton, a jeweler, requesting that the man meet him at his shop as early as possible the following day.
When Callum arrived at the shop at the wholly uncouth hour of seven, the man was already behind the counter, a dozen prime pieces of jewelry displayed upon the velvet.
If the jeweler thought the request of an early morning meeting strange, he certainly didn’t show it.
Perhaps he was accustomed to the whims of a gentleman in love.
Callum decided upon her ring the instant he spotted it. It was a large, emerald-cut aquamarine ringed in round diamonds on a gold band. Callum thought it suited Margaret perfectly, but he purchased a plain gold band as well, just in case.
He made himself wait to visit, stopping at the florist and then back home to pick up the stroopwafels Mrs. Bakker promised to have ready. Finally, he ascended the familiar stone steps of the Preston house, unable to keep the wide smile from his face.
Margaret was waiting. She grinned at him and kissed Callum on the cheek. Then she thanked him for the flowers and stroopwafels—and fairly tossed them at a maid—then hustled him out into the hall toward her brother’s study.
“William’s very busy for some reason,” she said by way of explanation when Callum arched a questioning brow. “There’s lots of mysterious traffic in and out of the house today. I don’t want you to miss your opportunity.”
Margaret deposited Callum outside the study door and tugged at his arm until he stooped to her level. She pressed a brief kiss to his lips and scampered off, but not before Callum spied the happy blush on her cheeks.
Which was why Callum was grinning like an idiot when Cavendish’s study door opened.
Thankfully, Callum didn’t recognize the gentleman who was exiting.
Oddly enough, the gentleman was grinning, too.
There was a brief moment of awkwardness as the two cleared their throats and exchanged places with a nod, but Callum took comfort in knowing that he’d probably never see the fellow again.
“Didn’t you already get what you came for?” Cavendish said, frowning up from his ledgers. He leaned back as if in surprise. “Apologies, Ettrick, I thought you were someone else.”
Callum wasn’t nervous, per se, but he was exceedingly aware that his meeting with Margaret’s brother had the potential to impinge upon her happiness.
As he went to shut the door, yet another gentleman entered the hallway.
This one he recognized from that ridiculous murder dinner he’d attended—Lord Shaw.
He nodded at the man before shutting the study door firmly.
“To what do I owe the honor?” Cavendish said, gesturing toward the seats facing his desk. “Are you looking for more apprenticeships for those orphans of yours?”
Cavendish looked almost relieved by the notion, and Callum wondered what sort of meeting he’d just had. Though Callum didn’t expect his request to be denied, he much rather would have presented it to a brother in a good mood rather than one who’d just received bad news.
“Actually, no.” Callum took a chair and shifted in it. “I’m here on a much more personal endeavor.”
Cavendish’s eyes narrowed. He steepled his fingers together and studied Callum over them. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “It’s regarding Margaret.”
Cavendish leaned back, a speculative gleam in his eye. “So it’s ‘Margaret’ is it?”
“I’ve come to ask for your blessing. We’re engaged and wish to be married as soon as possible.”
Cavendish sighed. “I suppose I should be ecstatic. After all, what’s the point of paying for a Season if there are no marriages afterward? Yet I confess it’s more difficult than I’d imagined to give my blessing for my sisters to marry, even when my approval is well deserved.”
Callum waited patiently. The man had already admitted that the blessing was forthcoming. Being a brother himself, Callum could appreciate the struggle. He couldn’t begrudge Cavendish a few moments of reflection between the question and the answer.
Finally Cavendish looked up and smiled. “If Margaret is happy with her choice, how could I not be?”
They shook hands and Callum smirked. “There’s another gentleman waiting in the hallway, possibly for the same reason. Shall I send him in when I go?”
His eyes went wide. “Who is it?”
“Lord Shaw.”
Cavendish exhaled a gusting sigh. “I have a planned meeting with him, thank goodness.”
“You sound relieved.”
“In the military and then in business, I learned not to be fond of surprises. They’re rarely good.”
“I hope that in the instance of our meeting, you’ve made an exception.” Though Callum absolutely was going to marry Margaret, it would be vastly preferable if her brother was pleased with their match.
Cavendish waved a hand. “Of course. One can never have too many dukes in the family.”
He frowned. “Is my title the only thing that enticed you to give your blessing?”
“It certainly didn’t hurt. But I know Margaret well enough to suspect that our conversation was likely the easiest part of your courtship.” He huffed a laugh. “I am far more likely to be impressed by your title than she is.”
Ettrick gave a smile that felt wistful, even to him. “It was a very entertaining Season, I’ll give you that much. I’m sure we’ll both remember it fondly for the rest of our lives.”
“Welcome to the family. Please send Shaw in behind you.”