‘Will you now?’
He reined in his anger. He was angry because he’d had to come here cap in hand, but this was for Carrie, not for him. She deserved the best he could give her and this was it.
‘I acknowledge you were right about Alexandra.’
The old man leaned back in his chair. His eyes widening. ‘Well-a-day! I never thought I’d hear such an admission fall from your lips. A right stubborn one, you always were.’
Avery relaxed somewhat. This was the father he remembered. Irascible. Outspoken. But not completely unreasonable. Except when it came to the marriage of his offspring.
‘I came to ask you to sign over the estate of Fenward to me, as Mother requested and you agreed.’
‘It wasn’t part of the settlements.’
‘But it was her intention.’
The old man shook his head. ‘Only if I thought you were ready to take on the responsibility. Even she knew you for a harum-scarum. What do you know about managing an estate? You’ve spent your life in ladies’ boudoirs or at the tables and have nothing to show for it.’
‘I haven’t forgotten anything I learned as a boy under your tutelage.’ Indeed, the very idea of having his own estate was one of the things that had kept him going all these years. If he hadn’t needed to help Laura, he would have bought one by now.
The Duke glanced up at his eldest son, who gave him a grin. ‘I told you he’d come around.’
‘You did. Took him long enough. I tell you this, my boy, I was beginning to despair of you. You always had a good head on your shoulders. I couldn’t believe it when you wanted to marry that dizzy-headed puss. I hope this widow of yours has a bit more sense.’
‘She does.’ He hesitated. ‘Are you saying you accede to my request?’
‘Of course. Been keeping Fenward for you, boy, if you ever decided to come to your senses. Runs along beside Wrendean. You’ll also manage that one. For your brother if you’d rather do it for him than for me. I’m not long for this world. Your brother will need all the help he can get.’
Avery didn’t like all this talk of death. But he wouldn’t put it past the Duke to play on feelings of guilt. He was a cunning old so-and-so. He narrowed his eyes. ‘I’ll expect a wage, if you want me to take on Wrendean as well.’
The old man waved a hand. ‘I will leave all that to your brother.’
Bart nodded. ‘There is nothing I would like better.’
‘And Laura?’
He knew he shouldn’t be asking. He’d got far more out of this interview than he ever expected or even hoped. But he hated that his father had cast out his sister.
‘Another stubborn one,’ his father said, reaching for his port.
Bart put the glass in his hand.
The Duke took a sip. ‘Well, I ain’t dead yet. Had that jackanapes of a husband of hers not come here demanding I agree to their wedding and laying out all kinds of conditions about what I would and would not do, I might not have lost my temper. Damn his eyes. Sent him to the right about, as he deserved.’
Avery closed his eyes. Of course, that would have set the Duke’s back up no end.
The old man fixed him with a stare. ‘Don’t think I don’t know you and Bart have been helping the pair of them behind my back.’
‘Mostly Avery,’ Bart said. ‘Since you’ve made it too difficult for me to do much.’
‘Then you shouldn’t go behind my back.’
Avery rolled his eyes. ‘What else were we to do?’
‘Nothing,’ the Duke snapped. ‘You are her brothers. I am glad to see you have at least that much sense of duty. I’ve been keeping an eye on that husband of hers, too.’
Argh. Now they would be in for a lecture.
‘He’ll make a fine barrister,’ the Duke said.
Avery gaped at his father, who seemed oblivious to his surprise.
‘Going to do well for himself,’ the Duke mused as if surprised. ‘I’ve already had some old friends send business his way.’
So that was why things had recently turned around for John. Avery sank on to the edge of the seat in front of his father, the fondness he’d tried to bury for so damn long welling up. ‘You really are an old curmudgeon.’
The Duke ruffled Avery’s hair, the way he had when Avery was a boy. ‘And you will be just like me if you aren’t careful.’ He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. ‘Send for Sprake. I’ll take that damned medicine now, my boy,’ he said to Bart. ‘Makes me so damn sleepy. Needed my wits about me, dealing with the likes of you two.’
‘Yes, Father,’ Bart said.
‘You can’t be thinking of cocking up your toes,’ Avery said, feeling a sudden sense of panic at the weakness his father was showing. ‘You have yet to get either of your sons to the altar.’
‘Not thinking any such thing,’ his father said wearily. ‘See him out, Bart, and make whatever arrangements are needed. You have carte blanche.’
Clearly surprised by this magnanimity, Bart rang the bell and Sprake rushed into the room with a bottle of tonic and a spoon. ‘You see, your Grace,’ the elderly valet said. ‘I told you, you needed this, but, no, you weren’t going to take it. Too proud.’ He shoved a cushion at the Duke’s back and loosened his collar.
Avery hated seeing his father so fragile.
‘What are you still doing here?’ the old man asked. He curled his lip. ‘Thought you had a lady to see.’
Avery narrowed his eyes for a moment. There was a glint of amusement in his father’s eye and, yes, triumph. Damn the old man, he had finally got what he wanted. An acknowledgement that he was right. And a wedding in the offing.
And Avery discovered it was like a weight off his shoulders. If not for meeting Carrie, he might never have swallowed his pride and made peace with his father before it was too late. Something he now knew he would have regretted for the rest of his life.
Carrie. A pain pierced his heart, for his own pride might yet have caused him to lose her.
He must now convince her to change her mind and set his whole world to rights.
He hoped she would listen. He had never felt this nervous when betting on a mediocre hand of cards with a hundred guineas on the outcome. But then cards were games of skill and he knew what he was doing.
In the game of love, he risked losing everything.
Tomorrow he would learn his fate.
* * *
Carrie’s umbrella did nothing to keep her skirts dry, the wind drove the rain so hard. The weather had been fair when she’d caught the stagecoach from Sevenoaks. Jeb had been far from happy dropping her off at the inn, but she had insisted. She didn’t want anyone witnessing her embarrassment should Avery turn her from his door.
What she would do if he did so, she wasn’t sure. Throw herself on Westram’s mercy, she supposed, assuming he was still in town.
Evening was already drawing in when she turned the corner on to Avery’s street. She hesitated. Stopped. The street was empty except for a lad huddled in a doorway with his broom and one or two gentlemen holding on to their hats as they hurried on their way.
Turn back, her mind whispered.
This might be your only chance, her heart argued.
Squaring her shoulders, she marched the last few yards to the house where Avery lodged. More doubts assailed her.
She swallowed them down and banged on the door.
The same porter who had opened it to her the first time opened the door with a glare.
‘I am here to see Lord Avery.’ She had certainly learned how to be imperious from her sisters-in-law. The thought bolstered her courage.
The porter bowed her in. ‘You know where to find him.’
Heart thumping hard in her chest, she walked up the stairs to the first floor. Obviously, her heart wasn’t quite as brave as it had pretended to be out on the street.
Only one path leads to true happiness.
This had to be right. She’d chosen with her mind once. She had to give her heart an opportunity.
She knocked. Scratched, really. Was she hoping he would not open the door? That he would be out and she could scurry away telling herself she had tried?
She raised her hand to knock again, more loudly.
The door opened.
Avery stood there, looking sartorially splendid as he always did, clearly dressed to go out.
A pain cramped her chest. Was he off to meet one of his special ladies?
His face lit up and her fears disappeared.
‘Carrie?’ He scanned her up and down. ‘Good Lord, you are soaking wet. Come in. Take off your wet cloak.’ He whipped it from around her shoulders. Took her by the hand and led her to a chair. ‘Sit here, by the fire. Warm yourself.’
He was on his knees building up the fire, no sooner had the words left his lips.
A long sigh escaped her. She had been so worried about his reception. This was all she had hoped for and more.
‘What the devil are you doing out on a night like this? And how did you get here? Not in that open gig, I hope.’
‘I came on the stage.’
‘What? Is Westram so nip cheese he will not afford you a post chaise?’
‘Westram knows nothing of this journey.’
He frowned, sitting back on his heels as the flames of the fire took hold. ‘Your sisters-in-law? Do they know?’
‘Of course.’
Indeed, they had encouraged her when she had explained her dilemma and asked if they would be terribly upset if she pursued her suitor.
‘You should have at least brought a maid if you are going to visit a single gentleman in his lodgings. Though really you should not be doing that at all.’
How else was she to speak to him? Send him a note and hope he might reply? ‘La, sir, it is not the first time.’
He rearranged the coals in the fire. ‘No,’ he agreed, watching the flames take hold. ‘It is not. What message of importance do you bear for me this time?’
Her heart stumbled. This was it. Taking the risky path and hoping for happiness.
‘I changed my mind.’
He looked startled.
Dash it, where were all the elegant words she had rehearsed in the long hours on the stage? Left behind in that cramped little box, it seemed.
‘I mean, I will accept your proposal of marriage if it is still on offer.’
Not exactly elegant, but to the point.
His brow cleared. ‘I see.’
‘I quite understand if you have changed your mind,’ she hastened to add. ‘You are under no obligation, of course. But...’ she looked at him shyly ‘...you were right—there are some great advantages to be had in our union.’
At that he looked a trifle disappointed. ‘Yes, indeed. As I said.’
‘Of course the disadvantages may outweigh them now you have come to think about it a bit. I am a little long in the tooth. I am a widow who comes with baggage. I will always do my best to help my sisters-in-law, howsoever you earn your living. My settlement is small and you cannot expect anything from Westram, he was quite done up paying for his brother’s debts as I told you.’
‘Are you trying to talk me out of my offer?’ He sounded amused.
Oh, dear, she really was making a mull of this. ‘I simply don’t want there to be any misunderstandings and I shall quite understand if you have changed your mind.’
Understand and be devastated.
He glowered. ‘If that rapscallion husband of yours hadn’t got himself killed, I would be ready to murder him about now.’
‘If Jonathan was still alive, none of this would be happening.’
He chuckled. ‘Ever the practical one.’
She swallowed. Was that good or bad? ‘Someone has to be practical. I am hoping we can make enough from the shop—’
He frowned. ‘So you changed your mind about that. Why?’
Cold fingers travelled down her spine. This was the question she dreaded. ‘Remember the fortune teller?’
He looked surprised. ‘I do. But surely you are not basing your decision on her words.’
‘Not really. Well, perhaps in part. These were her words to me. Trusting your head will ensure your safety, I confess, trusting your heart is taking a chance when only one path leads to true happiness.’
For a moment he looked hopeful, then the frown returned. ‘So is it your head you are trusting?’
She knelt down beside him and, leaning against him, put her arm around his waist.
His own arm crept around hers.
‘I trusted to safety when I married Jonathan. Father was right about Westram being a good provider for his family, though he had no idea Jonathan’s debts were so outrageous. I am safe, even as a widow, with Westram in charge, but it is not true happiness. My heart tells me you are the man meant for me.’ She hesitated. ‘Something in my heart also tells me you feel the same way about me.’ She gave a little laugh and it broke in the middle. ‘Of course if you do not—’
He turned towards her, gazing into her eyes. ‘How could you doubt it, my dearest darling Carrie? I love you. I think I have since the moment I saw you.’
‘You were too bosky to know anything,’ she said, her heart filling with a bubble of joy she did not know how to contain.
‘I most certainly was not.’ He gave her a look. ‘And you? How do you feel?’
She sighed. ‘Oh, Avery, I thought my heart was broken when you left Kent. I realised a while ago that I loved you, but I thought I was doing the right thing, knowing I could never be happy marrying a gambler. But without you, being safe and secure seemed like so much dross after you left. I fell in love with you, the man who is kind and generous and caring. I do not want to change you.’
He picked her up in his arms and settled himself on the sofa where he commenced kissing her silly. When they finally broke for breath, he twirled one of the strands of hair that had escaped her pins around one finger and gave it a little tug.
‘I was coming back down to Kent tomorrow to give it one last shot,’ he said.
Shocked, she gasped. ‘You were?’
‘You made me see things I refused to look at before.’ He gave a small laugh. ‘You see, I am not really a gambler at heart. I never bet on anything unless I know I can win. Even so, I fully accept that no woman wants to live her life worrying about whether her husband will lose everything they own. So, I went to see my father.’
‘The Duke?’
‘We came to an agreement.’ He sounded grim.
‘Was it so very dreadful? You know you do not have to do this for my sake.’
‘Turns out I am doing it for my own sake, too. Without a reason on which to hang up my pride, I would never have gone to see him and I would have regretted that deeply.’ He swallowed. ‘He’s aged terribly in the years I have been absent.’ His voice softened. ‘Though he’s still as autocratic as ever. It seems we both regret our row, though of course he is positive he was in the right.’ He smiled fondly. ‘He was, actually. But he could have found a less unpleasant course of action.’
He let the strand of hair spring free and kissed her cheek and then her lips, before continuing. ‘I went to him to tell him to stay out of my business, since I thought he must have learned you were related to Westram and set him on us. He denies the latter, but I am still not so sure. I also insisted he hand over the estate my mother left me.’
She could scarcely believe it. ‘You have your own estate?’
‘Yes. He also offered me the position of land agent for one of the nearby ducal properties, one I know well and that will bring a good income.’
Her head was spinning. She could not quite believe all he was saying. ‘Are you saying you inte
nd to give up gambling? For me?’
‘For us, love. Though I believe the odd gentlemanly wager is not a crime.’
‘No. No, of course not. Avery, I love you. And I trust you to do what is right.’ She did. How could she not have realised that before?
He smiled and his face took on a boyish cast. ‘The estate is in a lovely part of England.’ He glanced at her intently. ‘That is if you do not mind burying yourself in the country.’
‘I love the countryside. Living in Kent for more than a year, I have come to realise how much I prefer it to the city, though the city is where I grew up.’
He breathed a sigh of relief, lifted her off his knee and settled her on the sofa. He went down on one knee before her and her heart did a little dance of happiness.
‘Dearest Carrie, will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’
She reached for his hand, took it in hers, kissed it and rubbed it against her cheek. ‘Yes, Avery, I will.’
He kissed each of her hands in turn. ‘Then you make me the happiest man in all of England.’
He rose to his feet and pulled her to hers. ‘Now we must get you to the Westram town house. I’m not having the gossips saying this marriage was forced on you. Everything is going to be absolutely above board.’
Avery looked so happy, it was only now Carrie realised that there had always been shadows behind his mischievous flirtatious gaze. Those shadows were gone, replaced with a light she could only describe as love. The fact that the light was for her was the most amazingly wonderful thing in the world.
The fortune teller had been wrong. Following her heart had also led to the safety and security of her one true love’s arms.
‘I do love you so,’ she said, unable to contain her happiness.
He whirled her about with a laugh, then gazed down into her face. ‘I wasn’t sure you would take the risk. I have not been the most stable of fellows, these past many years.’
‘It is no risk at all when love is involved. We will face whatever comes along together.’
Gravity filling his face, he cupped her cheeks in his hands. ‘That, my darling, we will.’
We. It was such a wonderful word when compared to you and I and them. ‘I do have one favour to ask.’
A Lord for the Wallflower Widow Page 23