He had been miserable these past two weeks. Now he didn’t know what was going on and while he wanted to keep his uncle away from Maryam, Coven made sure he didn’t find himself in close quarters with her. It was too painful to bear.
It was hurting Maryam. Coven could tell by looking at her she’d been crying. It broke his heart to see her like this but Maryam had clarified she wasn’t putting him in a position of being stuck with her.
Now he had had time to think about it, Coven understood her rational. It didn’t mean he had to like it.
He slumped onto the window seat and leant back against the window.
“She didn’t want to be a burden.” He shook his head. “But the problem is I didn’t see it as a burden. And I still don’t.”
“What are you saying, Coven?”
Coven hadn’t shared his feelings to Elizabeth. He had told no one, choosing to keep it to himself.
“I’m in love with her, Liz.” He watched as Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Don’t think me silly but I knew it when I first saw her. We’ve not spent much time together but I know it here.” He laid a first over his heart. “And I want to marry her. The thought of her becoming my aunt…” He shuddered.
Elizabeth could sense his sincerity. She knew.
“Oh, Coven.” She squeezed his hand, linking their fingers. “You need to tell Father.”
“I can’t. He’s already rebuked my attempts to plead Maryam’s case.”
“But did you tell him you love her? I bet you didn’t.”
Coven hesitated. It had been a few days since he had last spoken to the marquess about the situation with Maryam and his uncle. But he hadn’t mentioned the fact he loved Lord Lindsey’s niece for fear of being scorned.
It wouldn’t change anything.
Chapter 9
Running Away
“Y ou bet you didn’t tell who what?”
Coven jumped, Elizabeth snatching her hand back. Lord Warwick was standing in the doorway to the dining room, munching on a chicken leg. Coven glared at him.
“None of your business, Uncle. Where did you get that chicken?”
“We’re having chicken tonight. I persuaded the cook to give me this now so I can last until dinner.” Warwick shook his head at his nephew. “Your father should’ve taught you better; you have no respect for your elders.”
Coven couldn’t help but bark out a laugh. That only made his uncle’s face go even redder.
“Why should I respect you?” Coven demanded. “You’ve never given me a reason to respect you.”
Elizabeth laid a hand on his arm.
“Garrett, not now.” She murmured.
“Listen to your girl, Coven.” Warwick sneered, gesturing at Elizabeth with his chicken leg. “She talks sense.”
“Which is more than you and Lord Lindsey.” Coven narrowed his eyes at his uncle. “What hold have you got over him? Have you offered him money to get him out of a bind?”
From the slight widening of his uncle’s eyes, Coven knew he had hit the mark. He stared.
“That’s it? He’s in need of money and you offered it in exchange for him finding a wife? How deep is his debt?”
Elizabeth gasped. Coven saw she had gone pale. Lord Warwick shrugged.
“Enough for me to have influence.”
“You mean blackmail.”
“Lord Lindsey knows a good arrangement when he hears one.” Lord Warwick turned back with a nasty smirk. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Maryam Arens and I will marry on Sunday. You’re not invited. I don’t want you ruining the wedding.”
Coven felt his stomach drop. Elizabeth gasped.
“You think there will be a wedding?” She demanded. “I know Maryam won’t be there. She won’t marry you and she’ll let everyone know.”
“She will marry me if she doesn’t want to lose her allowance.” Lord Warwick looked almost pleased with himself. “They’ll be penniless and cast into the street if she doesn’t marry me.”
Coven had to get out of there. If he didn’t he would hit his uncle. He turned on his heel and stormed away, ignoring Lord Warwick’s laughter and Elizabeth shouting after him.
***
As soon as her mother left, Maryam got busy. She dragged her trunks out and packed. With no time make everything tidy; she simply threw items into trunks.
The maid came in when she heard her rushing around and alternated between attempting to help and protesting for her to stay. But Maryam waved them away, saying she was fine, and she needed no help at all. It happened three times before Maryam pushed the girl out and locked the door.
Ten minutes later, there was a knocking at the door. Maryam ignored it, throwing her dresses into the half-filled trunk. Then the knocking happened again but louder.
“Maryam?” It was Lord Lindsey. “What’s going on in there, Maryam?”
Maryam paused. She had hoped to get out before her uncle realized they had gone. Maryam went to the door, but she didn’t open it.
“What are you on about, Uncle?”
“Open the door, Maryam.”
Maryam saw the doorknob turning but didn’t reach for the key.
“I won’t.”
“I’m not talking to you through a door.”
“And I won’t let you enter.” Maryam leant against the door, wrapping her arms around her waist. “I’m packing and I don’t want you to interfere.”
“Packing? You have no social engagements to attend.”
“I don’t need a social engagement to leave here. We are going back to Bath.”
All was quiet. She waited. It wasn’t long before her uncle spoke.
“And you think I will let you leave?”
“I wasn’t asking for permission, Uncle Michael. I’m telling you what we’re doing.” Maryam let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know what’s happened to you, Uncle Michael, but I don’t like it. You always had my interests close to your heart and now you’re doing something that not only I’ve refused to go along with but everyone around you has told you it’s a bad idea.”
“No one tells me what to do, Maryam.”
“Except the one who’s blackmailing you.”
There was silence. Maryam knew her uncle and recognized the signs. She had hit the mark. She swallowed.
“How bad is it, Uncle?”
For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. But when he did it he sounded like he had a heavy heart.
“It’s terrible.”
“Does Elizabeth know?”
“No and she can never know.”
“But you can marry me off to pay off the debt?” Maryam felt her throat clogging. “I’m not a piece of furniture, Uncle. I’m your niece. A person. You’re hurting me by forcing me to marry and you know it. I will shout out to everyone I’m refusing the marriage and don’t think I won’t. Mama and I are taking our leave. This marriage arrangement is not proceeding.”
There was more silence. It was thick in the air. Maryam could almost see her uncle’s mind working. He said nothing more. Maryam heard the footsteps on the carpet as he walked away.
***
Coven found Lord Lindsey in the drawing room. It was dark with no candles lit despite it being early evening. The fire was burning in the grate and Lord Lindsey sat in a chair pulled up close to the fire, a glass of something in his hand as he stared at the flames.
He looked a different man. Maybe he could get him seeing reason. Coven approached him.
“Lord Lindsey?”
Lord Lindsey started, looking up with bleary eyes. Then his expression cleared as he recognized Coven.
“Coven.” He sighed and slumped back in his chair. “Sorry, I’m not in the mood for conversation.”
“I didn’t come here to converse. I came here for you to listen.”
There wasn’t another chair for Coven to draw up so he sat on the couch behind Lord Lindsey. The man didn’t turn around but Coven knew he was listening. He leant forward, clasping his hands.
“
I know Uncle George has a hold over you regarding money and I don’t want to know the details. But, let me tell you, I would never blackmail you for something when I give you money to help.”
“What are you talking about?” Lord Lindsey turned in his chair and frowned. “What do you mean when you give me money?”
Coven took a deep breath. Here it comes.
“I came to ask for Maryam’s hand in marriage.”
“Pardon?”
Lord Lindsey looked like someone had hit him over the head. Coven continued.
“I know this isn’t protocol and you’re determined to have Uncle George become Maryam’s husband but I want to put myself out there. I’m in love with your niece.” He said with relief. “I don’t want to see her marry someone who will never make her happy. And I know he could never make her happy. Surely you know his reputation.”
“I know about it.” Lord Lindsey slumped. “But I desperately need this money. And Warwick said he wanted a wife. He had seen Maryam twice in Bath and knew who she was. He had set his sights on her.” His jaw tightened. “I’m more concerned with her health. Lord Warwick doesn’t seem to understand that part.”
“That’s because he doesn’t care unless he gets what he wants. And Maryam’s much healthier than you realize. I don’t care if she’s sick in bed every other month. I’ll even bring her dinner and feed her myself.” Coven could see Lord Lindsey wavering and continued. “I would never banish her to her room or anywhere unless that was her wish. Uncle George just wants a wife so he can get an heir. Once he has that heir he’ll discard her physically and emotionally. That shouldn’t be Maryam’s life.”
Lord Lindsey looked like he would crumble. Coven could see that he still cared for his niece; circumstances had left him few choices. But to put your niece up for a marriage she didn’t want and ignore her wishes was still despicable.
The marquess sighed and sat back, taking a sip from his glass.
“You put it so eloquently.” He drawled.
“You love your niece, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Because right now you’re not showing you do. You’re doing the worst possible thing to her and she will hate you for the rest of her life.” Coven stood and walked round to stand in front of the older man, his back to the fire. “She’s stronger than you think but you’ll have broken her resolve down to the point she doesn’t care. If you love her, you wouldn’t want her to live like that.”
Chapter 10
Doing The Right Thing
L ord Lindsey stared at him. They had known each other for twenty years and it was like Lord Lindsey was seeing Coven in a new light.
“You really do love her, don’t you?”
“I do. And I want to prove it.” Coven pointed at himself. “Maryam will still marry an earl if she marries me. I have money, almost as much as Uncle George. I can help you with no extra conditions. Nothing. And Maryam will be well cared for; you won’t have to worry about her wellbeing. I will do everything in my power to make her smile every day.”
Even if Lord Lindsey’s debts bankrupted Coven, he would happily give over his money if it meant he could marry Maryam.
Lord Lindsey swallowed. He pressed his glass to his head.
“I wish I’d been like you when I was your age.”
“What’s your decision, my lord?”
Lord Lindsey lowered the glass. He stood, almost eye-to-eye with Coven.
“Are you going to promise me you’ll do that for my niece?”
“On condition you break the agreement with Lord Warwick.” Coven didn’t even blink. “I’ll promise you the money you need because that’s how I am. You’ve known me for years and I respect you; other than these last two weeks,” He added, which had Lord Lindsey grunting, “And I will do anything to help Maryam’s family as they will be mine.”
Lord Lindsey surveyed him. Then he smiled.
“My wife liked you when you were a child. She said you would become a headstrong young man.”
“So what’s the answer?”
Lord Lindsey drained his glass. Then he set the glass on the mantelpiece.
“I’ll tell Lord Warwick the marriage arrangement is cancelled. There’s still a wedding on Sunday though.”
Coven couldn’t stop grinning.
“We’ll just change the groom.”
***
Lord Lindsey had left a few moments before tracking down Lord Warwick. Coven told Elizabeth the good news when she joined him.. After dancing him around the room in delight, Elizabeth told him to hurry and tell Maryam as she was preparing to leave.
Coven heard Maryam and Judith’s voices the moment he stepped out of the drawing room. Now Coven needed to find Maryam tell her the good news.
He wondered how Maryam would react but was confident he would win her heart. He loved her and hoped she had feelings for him in return.
If she loved him back that would make Coven the happiest man alive.
Coven hurried out they front door. Maryam and Judith were at one of Lord Lindsey’s coaches, helping the coachmen load their trunks. They really would leave.
“Coven!”
Coven groaned and turned. His uncle was charging across the foyer towards him. His wig was wobbling with every movement and his face was as red as Coven had ever seen it. Coven sighed. He wasn’t interested in dealing with his uncle’s tantrums.
“Now what? I’m busy.”
“I know. You’ve been very busy.” His uncle reached him and shoved Coven hard in the chest, causing Coven to stumble back a step. “What’s the meaning of breaking off my engagement? What right do you have?”
“You can’t blackmail someone into giving you a wife. Lord Lindsey finally realized that and came to his senses.”
“And now you have Maryam for yourself?”
His uncle was shouting now. Coven glanced over and saw Maryam staring at them, her mother beside her. Maryam was open-mouthed, her eyes locked on Coven. Coven wanted to go over to her and kiss her but he had his uncle charging on him. He turned back to face his uncle.
“Look at her, Uncle.” He snapped. “She’s leaving right now. She’s willing to be cut off by her family because she doesn’t want to marry you.”
“And you think she will marry you now?” Lord Warwick sneered. “Without her consent? Again?”
“It will be her choice. At least she’ll be loved and not treated like chattel!”
Lord Warwick looked like he would burst a blood vessel. Then he swung. Coven ducked and swung back in retaliation. His fist caught his uncle full in the face and sent him stumbling back into the doorframe. It was only clutching at it that stopped him from falling. Coven massaged his stinging knuckles.
“This is not a competition, Uncle.” He said. “Because you will lose. Badly.”
Lord Warwick snarled. He straightened up and lunged at Coven again. At that moment, Lord Lindsey appeared in the doorway and grabbed Lord Warwick’s arm.
“Inside, Warwick.” Lord Lindsey’s voice was low and hard. “Now. We need to talk.”
Lord Warwick looked like he was about to whine but Lord Lindsey’s expression didn’t change. Then, looking like a sullen child, the Earl of Warwick slunk into the house.
***
Maryam had been distracted from leaving by the raised voices near the house. She was surprised to see Coven and Lord Warwick arguing by the front door. The pushing and shoving would soon turn to blows. And they did. Lord Warwick tried to swing at Coven before Coven punched him in the face. Lord Warwick stumbled and made to go at Coven again but then Lord Lindsey was there, virtually pulling the older man into the house. He didn’t look at Maryam and Judith, just pulled the older earl into the house.
Then Maryam realized Coven was coming down the steps towards them. He looked like he was making a beeline for her. Maryam’s heart hammered in her chest. Why was he looking like that?
“Coven? What are you doing?”
Coven didn’t answer. He reached her and
pulled her to him. Maryam fell against his chest as his arms went around her and he kissed her. Maryam felt her body melting against him and sighed. Coven made a grunting noise and kissed her harder for a split second before he lifted his head and stared at her. He was breathing heavily.
“Will you stay now?” He rasped.
She couldn’t stay if his uncle was still there.
“What’s happening?” She shifted back a little. Although she enjoyed the feeling immensely, having Coven’s arms around her was distracting. “Why were you fighting?”
“I’ll explain later.” Coven grinned. He cupped her cheek in his hand, his other arm still around her waist. “The engagement between you and my uncle is finished. Lord Lindsey withdrew their agreement.”
That was like music to her ears. Maryam closed her eyes and smiled.
“Thank God for that!” Then she opened her eyes and frowned. “How did you manage that?”
“I offered a different groom in his place.” Coven winked. “The wedding’s still going ahead except you’ll be marrying someone else.”
The wedding was still happening? What had her uncle agree to now? Then Maryam realized what Coven was saying. Her mouth fell open.
“You? You will be the new groom? I told you not to do that!”
Coven raised an eyebrow.
“I have done it now. Am I not allowed to marry the woman I love?”
That threw her. Maryam had never thought she would hear anyone say those words. It took a moment to make sense.
“You love me?”
“I do. That’s why I proposed before.”
He kissed her firmly, and it was all Maryam could do not to melt into a puddle. Then he pulled away before she could kiss him back. She blinked up at him.
“But you hardly know me.”
“Since when has that matter?” Coven hugged her. “My mother fell in love with my father at first sight and it happened now with you.” His smile faded a little and then he looked worried. “Please, Maryam. Stay. Marry me. I’m not as wealthy as my uncle but I know I can make you smile every day.”
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