a melancholy, if you will.” Henry, eyes glazing in memory, absently rubbed at his temples. “It soon became obvious to everyone in the Ton that Edward kept mistresses, saw other women. This was not a love match, but Edward’s need of a rich dowry and an important family connection.
“At Charlotte’s death, I thought the entire family would join her in the hereafter, so distraught were we. Yet, Eliza, her twin, took it even worse. In many ways, I believe she felt guilt for encouraging the match. Never would she cry, at least not around my wife and me. No, hate filled her, took the place of her grief.”
Nicholas’s memory flashed at the sight of her facing Edward Huntley, Lord Stanhope, that first night. The glitter in her eyes told the tale to anyone with the good sense to notice.
Fear shook him.
“We cannot let this continue, My Lord,” Nicholas vowed. “I foresee grave danger for her if she continues on this course.”
Lord Henry looked shaken. “I have done everything to rein her in. After the incident in Hyde Park, I forbade her to leave the house for the rest of the week. I told her, as well, that she must have an escort at all times. She fought me like a lioness, not literally, yet she was furious.”
“I can imagine.” Nicholas could easily envision the tirade, imagined crystal vases and such smashing violently into walls. “Someone must take her in hand, Lord Henry, and though I know you do your best, she needs a husband.”
Lord Henry studied him with quiet intensity. “What are you proposing, Your Grace?”
“Marriage. To me. I have spoken with Eliza and know her desire to remain unwed, yet, if you will pardon my saying so, she courts danger that could very well cost her life.”
“Have you feelings for her?”
Nicholas had some inkling of how the man might feel. He had lost a beloved daughter to a disastrous choice in marriage partners. Fear of losing another child as well must paralyze him with terror.
Staring Eliza’s father straight in the eye, he spoke the truth. “With all due respect, I know little to nothing of love, yet I know that I need your daughter. Not for money because as you well know, I do not need to wed an heiress. Marrying, and doing it quickly, is imperative for reasons I’m not inclined to detail at the moment, but I find your daughter’s fire and spirit irresistible. She is remarkable and I wish to offer for her.”
Eliza’s father frowned. “After the attack, my first instinct was to carry her off to our country estate, yet I agree with you, Nicholas. Whether she wishes it or no, Eliza must marry. I want grandchildren to bounce on my knee. I need to know that she is safe and with a man who cares for her. I could not abide her unhappiness and I have already lost one daughter to a ruthless cad.”
“I give you my word, sir, I would never hurt Eliza.” He laughed ruefully. “Should I ever do so, I would fear to close my eyes at night. The girl is a veritable tigress.”
Lord Henry laughed. “Just so.” He turned serious once again. “I know you to be a good man. A bit of a reputation with the ladies, but you know they say a reformed rake tends to make the best husband. You’d best not rush her, however. Eliza is not a woman to be pushed.”
“How well I know it. I assure you I will have a care how I approach her, but heed me well, I intend to have her and soon. As for her safety, I plan to follow, most carefully, her every move.” Nicholas grinned. “Without her knowing, of course.”
Lord Henry laughed wickedly. “How delightful! I do believe you and my Eliza will be a good match. Come at teatime, my boy, and I will make certain my daughter is present. Might be interesting to view the fireworks.”
Slapping his hand on the table, Henry stood and called out to a passing waiter. “Champagne, my good man, your best!” Henry looked down at Nicholas, giving him a wink. “A bit unconventional, but I suspect yours might well be an unconventional
“At Charlotte’s death, I thought the entire family would join her in the hereafter, so distraught were we. Yet, Eliza, her twin, took it even worse. In many ways, I believe she felt guilt for encouraging the match. Never would she cry, at least not around my wife and me. No, hate filled her, took the place of her grief.”
Nicholas’s memory flashed at the sight of her facing Edward Huntley, Lord Stanhope, that first night. The glitter in her eyes told the tale to anyone with the good sense to notice.
Fear shook him.
“We cannot let this continue, My Lord,” Nicholas vowed. “I foresee grave danger for her if she continues on this course.”
Lord Henry looked shaken. “I have done everything to rein her in. After the incident in Hyde Park, I forbade her to leave the house for the rest of the week. I told her, as well, that she must have an escort at all times. She fought me like a lioness, not literally, yet she was furious.”
“I can imagine.” Nicholas could easily envision the tirade, imagined crystal vases and such smashing violently into walls. “Someone must take her in hand, Lord Henry, and though I know you do your best, she needs a husband.”
Lord Henry studied him with quiet intensity. “What are you proposing, Your Grace?”
“Marriage. To me. I have spoken with Eliza and know her desire to remain unwed, yet, if you will pardon my saying so, she courts danger that could very well cost her life.”
“Have you feelings for her?”
Nicholas had some inkling of how the man might feel. He had lost a beloved daughter to a disastrous choice in marriage partners. Fear of losing another child as well must paralyze him with terror.
Staring Eliza’s father straight in the eye, he spoke the truth. “With all due respect, I know little to nothing of love, yet I know that I need your daughter. Not for money because as you well know, I do not need to wed an heiress. Marrying, and doing it quickly, is imperative for reasons I’m not inclined to detail at the moment, but I find your daughter’s fire and spirit irresistible. She is remarkable and I wish to offer for her.”
Eliza’s father frowned. “After the attack, my first instinct was to carry her off to our country estate, yet I agree with you, Nicholas. Whether she wishes it or no, Eliza must marry. I want grandchildren to bounce on my knee. I need to know that she is safe and with a man who cares for her. I could not abide her unhappiness and I have already lost one daughter to a ruthless cad.”
“I give you my word, sir, I would never hurt Eliza.” He laughed ruefully. “Should I ever do so, I would fear to close my eyes at night. The girl is a veritable tigress.”
Lord Henry laughed. “Just so.” He turned serious once again. “I know you to be a good man. A bit of a reputation with the ladies, but you know they say a reformed rake tends to make the best husband. You’d best not rush her, however. Eliza is not a woman to be pushed.”
“How well I know it. I assure you I will have a care how I approach her, but heed me well, I intend to have her and soon. As for her safety, I plan to follow, most carefully, her every move.” Nicholas grinned. “Without her knowing, of course.”
Lord Henry laughed wickedly. “How delightful! I do believe you and my Eliza will be a good match. Come at teatime, my boy, and I will make certain my daughter is present. Might be interesting to view the fireworks.”
Slapping his hand on the table, Henry stood and called out to a passing waiter. “Champagne, my good man, your best!” Henry looked down at Nicholas, giving him a wink. “A bit unconventional, but I suspect yours might well be an unconventional
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