“I would prefer to make certain he understands that.” When it appeared she would argue, he added, “You must trust me.”
She sighed. “You are the only person I trust,” she whispered.
Her words meant everything, and Nathaniel vowed to never disappoint her.
The sound of footsteps made Nathaniel take a step back. The butler came around the corner, and Nathaniel knew it was time to speak with Harmony’s father. Soon after, he would be able to make a formal announcement, and for that, he could barely contain his excitement.
***
With a new surety, Nathaniel entered the drawing room. Mr. Radcliffe sat at his ease on a red sofa with white stripes, a glass of brandy in one hand and a book in the other. Nathaniel had assumed the reason he had been asked to wait was that the man was in a meeting for business, but instead it appeared the man was enjoying a time of leisure.
He pushed down the rising annoyance. It would do no good to make Harmony’s father dislike him more than he already did.
“Ah, Lambert,” Mr. Radcliffe said as he placed the book on the table beside him, “your letter said it was imperative that we speak today.”
“Yes, it did,” Nathaniel said, annoyed again because he was not invited to sit. “I trust the journey you took for business was successful.”
“Indeed,” the man replied. “As are all of my affairs. Perhaps one day I will allow you to conduct business with me. If you have the funds to do so, that is.” He chuckled at what he apparently thought was humor.
Rather than to allow his anger to show, Nathaniel smiled. “I suspect I do. But I would rather speak of other matters today, more specifically your daughter.”
Mr. Radcliffe heaved a heavy sigh and then emptied his glass in one gulp. “Be a friend and refill this for me, will you?” He held up the glass. “And you may pour yourself one, as well.”
Nathaniel was finding his ability to keep his anger under control a challenge. His cheeks burned with humiliation as he went to pour the drinks. Everything inside him wanted to scold the man, yet Nathaniel chose to remain civil. It would do no good to shame the Lambert name by allowing his anger to get the better of him. Rather, it would only make matters worse. Therefore, he shoved down his ire.
“I understand you have an interest in my daughter.”
“I do, sir,” Nathaniel replied. “Miss Harmony is a wonderful woman, and there is none in all of England who can match her beauty.”
Mr. Radcliffe chuckled. “I could not agree with you more, and that is why I must choose the best suitor for her.”
Nathaniel handed the man his glass. “May I sit?”
“Yes, but do not get too comfortable. I wish to finish my book on hunting soon.” He tapped the book he had set aside. “I assume we are not here to discuss my choice in reading materials.”
“No, sir, we are not.”
“I am well aware of what you wish to ask,” Mr. Radcliffe said. “Marjorie informed me of your desire to court our daughter.” When Nathaniel went to speak, the man raised his hand to forestall him. “Although I do not believe you have any ill will toward my daughter, you should understand that I must think of Harmony first. It is for that reason I have decided that Lord Miller, a trusted business associate and friend, will be courting my Harmony.” The man’s smile told Nathaniel that he relished in the idea of disappointing Nathaniel.
“Lord Miller, you say?” Nathaniel said, conjuring an image of the man in his mind. “I have heard much about him. Is it true he has a stake in a local mine?”
“Indeed,” Harmony’s father replied. “As well as a small stake in a shipping vessel among others.”
“A stake in a single ship?” Nathaniel asked. “Not the entire vessel?”
Mr. Radcliffe narrowed his eyes. “It may be a small stake for now, but I would not scoff. I would wager it is far more than what you possess.”
“That may be true,” Nathaniel said, “but I can offer Harmony a marriage of peace and happiness. Would that not be far superior to a ship or a mine?”
“My dear boy,” the older man replied with a sigh, “I am glad you believe a successful marriage is as such, and perhaps you will find a worthy bride one day who sees success as life is built only on supposed happiness. However, that day will not be today and it will not be with my daughter. Now, you may leave so I am able to return to my reading.”
Nathaniel knew in that moment that no amount of reasoning would bring this man to his view, and although the idea of doing so bothered him, he decided it was time to use his name and influence to make his point.
“A new ship, one of the largest shipping vessels of our day, recently arrived in Cornwall in order to have the work on it completed,” he said as if it was of little consequence. “Have you heard of it?”
“As a matter of fact, I have,” Mr. Radcliffe replied. “A magnificent vessel from what I have heard, one of the finest to arrive on the shores of Cornwall in quite some time.”
“And its name? Do you recall it?”
“I believe it is called Harmony.”
Nathaniel nodded. “That is correct. I had it named for the woman I wish to court and eventually marry.”
Mr. Radcliffe set his drink on the table, nearly missing it completely in his haste, and leaned forward. “Certainly, you are not implying…”
“My name is Lord Nathaniel Lambert, Eight Baron Lambert of Rumsbury, Wiltshire. My mother, Lady Eleanor Lambert comes from the Parker family. Surely that name is familiar to you?” The dropping of the man’s jaw was satisfying. “As the heir in waiting, my mother’s control of the estate went to her firstborn son. Me.”
“You must be lying!” Mr. Radcliffe said, his face blanching. “No, I can see in your eyes that you are telling the truth.”
“Indeed, I am. Harmony was unaware of my true identity until just last week, and few men, especially here, no nothing of my background. I prefer to allow people to become acquainted with me before they are aware of my wealth. Because you raised an honorable daughter, her motives toward me have been pure. As mine are for her. Now, sir, I would like to get to the point of this meeting. I would like your permission to court your daughter.”
Mr. Radcliffe’s expression went from disbelief to that of great joy in a matter of moments. Although Nathaniel was pleased the man would accept, it bothered him that it took his wealth to do so.
“Yes, of course!” the man said, standing and pumping Nathaniel’s hand with great vigor. “By all means, court my daughter.” Then he turned toward the door. “Halbert!”
The door opened and the butler entered. “Sir?”
“Have Mrs. Radcliffe and Harmony join us immediately,” Mr. Radcliffe said. “Hurry now! Do not waste a single moment.”
The butler gave a quick bow. “Yes, sir.”
Mr. Radcliffe hurried over to the decanters and poured fresh drinks. “Forgive my words earlier,” he said, nearly splashing brandy on his wrist as he poured. “I was tired after my travels and not thinking clearly.”
Nathaniel nodded despite the fact he knew the man was lying. Then the door opened again, and Harmony entered the room, followed closely by her mother.
“Ah, yes, Harmony, my beloved daughter! Lord Lambert has asked permission to court you, and I have accepted.”
Harmony’s face lit up, and Nathaniel thought he had never seen anything so beautiful. “Thank you, Father,” she said before turning that smile on Nathaniel.
Her mother did not have the same reaction, however. “You cannot be serious, Walter,” Mrs. Radcliffe said, her face so pale she might have seen a ghost.
“Now, Marjorie, it is not our decision but that of Harmony, and if she prefers Lord Lambert to any others, then I want nothing more.” He turned to Nathaniel. “Will you stay for dinner?”
“I would like that,” Nathaniel said. “Although I do have a request.”
Mr. Radcliffe clapped him on the back. “Of course! Anything you wish.”
“I realize you and Lord Mille
r do business together, and I would not wish to disrupt that, but when it comes to Harmony, I would prefer the man no longer attempts to have contact with her. In fact, I would think he would have no reason to even be near her now that she and I are courting.”
“I assure you that I will see to that,” Mr. Radcliffe replied. “My daughter is spoken for and will only be entertained by you.”
They raised their glasses in a toast, and Nathaniel took a drink, pleased this part of his plan was complete. Now on to the next. Although he knew Mr. Radcliffe would likely inform Lord Miller of the change in circumstances, Nathaniel wanted to tell the man himself.
And he relished in the idea of seeing the look on his face.
Chapter Ten
Lord Henry Miller had waited for this day for well over a year. Today he would ask, and be awarded permission, to court Miss Harmony Radcliffe. Harmony was a beautiful woman with her amber-colored hair and wonderful green eyes, a rarity in all ways. Such a woman would be suitable not only for producing an heir to take over the earldom, but also to serve him in any way he saw fit.
He had yet to make his request and instead was forced to feign great interest in the ramblings of the girl’s father at every turn. How many times had he contemplated strangling this man? Too many to count in Henry’s opinion.
Once, he had considered attacking him at night in order to distress the entire Radcliffe household to the point Harmony would seek out his protection. If he had chosen that path, at least he would have had the opportunity to fulfill two wishes rather than now when he would only be fulfilling one.
Instead, he remained patient and thus his victory in winning Harmony was near completion. One wish fulfilled was better than none.
His carriage arrived at Eastwood Estate and he was taken straight to the office of the dreary Radcliffe. Simply being in the man’s presence made his skin crawl, but it was a necessity. Much like a knight being forced to fight past the dragon in order to rescue the princess.
The butler opened the door to the office. “Lord Miller, sir.”
When Henry entered the room, he was surprised — and a bit annoyed — that Radcliffe did not rise to great him in his usual fawning and excited tones. Until this moment, he had not realized how much he enjoyed the other man’s ingratiating behavior.
Well, perhaps he is preoccupied, Henry thought. All the better to keep him muddled so I am able to get what I want. Henry was not concerned exactly, but he was never one to not anticipate every turn in the road.
“Ah, Henry,” Radcliffe said. “I am pleased you have come today. There is a matter we must discuss.”
“I could not agree with you more,” Henry said, standing in front of the desk. The wretched man had not even invited him to sit! “My hope is that it pertains to your lovely daughter.”
“Please, have a seat,” Radcliffe said as if it were an afterthought, which indeed it was. “May I offer you a drink?”
“No, thank you.” Henry eyed Harmony’s father. Something was amiss, he was certain, but he could not put his finger on what that something was. Nothing about this meeting was anything like it had been in the past.
“We have done business together for what? Three years now would you say?”
Henry nodded, suspicion rising. “We have.” Where was this line of questioning going?
“And in that time, I have come to respect you for your sharp mind.”
“I appreciate you saying so,” Henry replied. “Though, I feel it is only fair to acknowledge your help in those matters. Why, without your guidance, I would never have become as successful as I am today.”
The comment, of course, was a complete and utter lie, but at times Henry had to placate those with whom he wished to do business. Especially those who were oftentimes unsure of what was the best steps to take. He had given a few boots a figurative lick or two on more than one occasion to get what he needed. It was what made him the successful man he was today.
“And it is because I am that man,” Henry continued, leaning back in his chair, “that I have come today to ask your permission to court your daughter.” Now he would see that overzealous admiration that had been missing since his entry into the study!
Yet, to Henry’s shock, Radcliffe folded his hands together in front of him and gave a heavy sigh. “I am sorry, Henry, but that is just not possible.”
“I beg your pardon?” Henry asked. Surely, he had misunderstood the fool.
“I have already given permission to someone else,” Harmony’s father said. “Lord Lambert made the request, and I have already granted it. I am afraid you are too late, Henry.”
Anger coursed through Henry and remaining calm was nearly impossible. “You knew my intentions and you instead go to Lambert? The boy is merely a baron, and a poor one at that! A baron is as common as a chimney sweep. I am an earl, which would see you connected with a much better family.”
Rather than agreeing, Radcliffe chuckled. “The boy, as you call him, is in fact quite wealthy. I suspect what he owns in one city is more than both of us combined could ever own.”
Henry’s jaw dropped. Surely it could not be! If Lambert was as wealthy as this man claimed, would he not have heard more about him and his family?
“Now,” Radcliffe continued, “you know I have always had Harmony’s best interests at heart. You are certainly a fine gentleman, but I am afraid she is already spoken for.”
Henry gripped the arms of the chair. His anger seemed to remove all the air from his head and the room spun around him. For a moment, he envisioned himself leaping forward and driving the letter opener that sat on the desk into the heart of the man across from him. Then rational thought returned.
If what Radcliffe said was true and Lambert was indeed wealthy, Henry had no way to compete. Oh, he was an earl to be sure, but his coffers had long since been depleted – his father had not been the insightful businessman Henry was – thus the reason he wanted Harmony. Her father had moved up the ranks quite quickly, which meant he had money, and Henry had always thought those coffers like a babe in the woods — easy to grasp. Yet, earning more respect from Radcliffe than he had already sucked out of him would be nearly impossible, which left Henry with few options. Instead, his ire would need to be directed at Lambert.
He smiled as an idea formed in his mind, one that would need careful planning but would see him, Henry, as the victor in the end.
“Then I must congratulate you and Miss Harmony,” he said, forcing an amicable smile. “I am very happy for both of you.”
Henry could have laughed at Radcliffe’s expression. “Then you are not angry?”
“Of course not,” Henry said, that fixed smile causing his face to ache. “It would be a lie to say I am not disappointed with this news, but like you, I only wish what is best for Harmony.”
And Henry, not Lambert, knew what was best for the lovely daughter of an untitled man, and her father would soon learn that truth.
“I am delighted there will be no animosity between us,” Radcliffe said. “And I hope you understand when I say that my focus in matters of business will now be placed on Lord Lambert. As he may well become my son-in-law, I must put his needs before yours.”
Henry tightened his grip on the arms of the chair. “I would expect nothing less.” He had to get out of there before his face caused his entire head to ache!
The door opened and the butler entered the room. “My apologies, sir, but Lord Gandletry has arrived.”
Radcliffe stood from his chair. “I have another meeting,” he said. “Will you see yourself out?”
Henry realized that the days of being treated like an honored guest were gone. Now, he was to be treated like all those with whom Radcliffe dealt — beneath him. The thought irked him no end!
Yet, Henry simply smiled and said, “Of course, sir.” He gave Radcliffe a bow — a bow! He had never shown a man lesser than he such courtesies! — and headed to the front door. Alone.
As he reached for the door handle, a f
licker of a dress caught his eye. Harmony. To approach the girl alone would anger the father, but at this point, what did it matter?
Looking to be certain no one was about, Henry hurried down the hallway toward the place he had seen the bright cloth. At the door to the drawing room, he peeked inside and was pleased to find Harmony standing in front of one of the windows.
As he stood there watching her, his heart thudded. He felt like a predator seeking its prey. Any sudden movements might send her fleeing, and he could not have that.
How beautiful she was with the sun shining upon her! He desired to taste the sweetness of her lips once more, but that was not for today. No, today he would speak to her and remind her to whom she belonged.
As he entered the room, he closed the door behind him as quietly as he could. Harmony did not seem to notice. Each step took him closer to his quarry, but when a floorboard creaked beneath his feet, she turned with a gasp.
“Lord Miller?” she asked, her hand moving to her exquisite bosom. “What are you doing here?”
“I have come to congratulate you,” he said, taking another step toward her. “Your father has informed me that Lord Lambert has asked to court you.”
“Y-yes,” she replied. “But you must leave. It is improper to be alone with you.”
Dropping his smile, Henry sneered. “Improper?” he asked. “After all we have endured? Was our time together for naught?” He took another step closer, and when she went to move away, he reached out and grasped her around the waist.
“Release me this instant!” she said. “Or I shall scream!”
“Scream to the heavens for all I care,” he said. “But you will listen to what I have to say before I go.”
Harmony nodded. “Go on if you must.”
“I have endured much to win your approval, and giving yourself to that Lambert boy angers me. I am a far better man than he, and you will see that in time.” He released her, although he wished he could keep her in his arms forever.
“If you believe you can compete for my heart, you are mistaken,” she replied. “Nathaniel has won that, and no one will be able to replace him.”
Harmony of the Soul Page 6