will marry are double any anxiety she may have. Nevertheless, you know my reasons. I have to safeguard her future and all that she inherits. Will you promise me something, Richard?”
“Certainly, Aunt, if I can.”
“If anything happens to me before she is married, will you take care of her?”
He knew at once what she was asking of him, the real reason behind the extended visit. Taking care of Lucie meant marrying her. This had been her purpose all along.
He recalled the last time he had seen his godmother, the desperate visit following his departure from home after the final dreadful row he’d had with his father. Acquainted with a great deal of the state of affairs from letters she’d exchanged with his mother, a dear friend before she died, and latterly from the housekeeper in the castle, she had listened to his tale, knowing how stricken he was over the parting. “I think you have done the right thing, Richard. The situation was untenable and unlikely to change. You are better away from it and making your own way in life. Go abroad, see the world. You are fit and able and will do well in the Americas.” She had provided him with ample funds, waving a dismissive hand at his vow to pay her back. “You will inherit money when I go, so you might as well have the use of it now.” It had been a boon in his new life abroad.
“Yes, Aunt, I promise.” In view of her help in the past, it was time to repay the debt, and he had the answer ready. “I beg you to lay your worries to rest. Lord Tasker has upset you badly, but I must assure you, I believe you are more than a match for him. You fret too much about your age. You are nowhere nearer heading for your maker than I am. You have always been young in my eyes and are the strongest person I know.”
“Oh, you divine flatterer! I am right—you are the nicest man I know.” She smiled gratefully at him. “Still, you have calmed my fears. I will relax and enjoy your company.”
He turned back to read his mail, and the room was silent for quite a while, his attention caught between the gentle though undoubted power she was exerting to agree to her wishes and the letters he’d received.
Eventually, he said, “I shall have to go to London tomorrow, probably for a couple of days. I need to set up a new office to deal with my overseas holdings and also see my father’s solicitors regarding the estate and what needs to be done. If you have any queries about your town house, I’ll be pleased to pass them on.”
“How thoughtful of you, but you are coming back, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I shan’t be gone long, but can only stay a short time when I return. There is much to do in the north, and the sooner I get onto it the better. Meanwhile, you will be packing for your visit and will not want a house guest around. Make your peace with Lucie, and tell her not to fuss that she is being forced into anything she doesn’t want.”
* * * *
He was astride his horse early the next morning as dawn was breaking, heading for the capital and the tasks he needed to carry out. Chief amongst them was the hiring of a secretary. He definitely needed help in tying all his business affairs into reasonable order. He had wondered on the ship coming over whether he would return to America and transact business from there. Having realised all the many problems he was facing with the estate, that plan was definitely knocked on the head. Dealing with correspondence, hiring craftsmen for the restorations…his brain almost seized at the number of jobs he knew lay ahead. It settled one objective he could not change. For good or ill, the life he saw in the future was henceforth bound to England.
His thoughts turned to Lucie and what he should do about her. Despite his promise to Eleanor, he was his own man and coercion was something he abhorred. When he eventually took a wife, he wanted to be sure he would find a desirable partner that suited him. Someone to create a happy family
“Certainly, Aunt, if I can.”
“If anything happens to me before she is married, will you take care of her?”
He knew at once what she was asking of him, the real reason behind the extended visit. Taking care of Lucie meant marrying her. This had been her purpose all along.
He recalled the last time he had seen his godmother, the desperate visit following his departure from home after the final dreadful row he’d had with his father. Acquainted with a great deal of the state of affairs from letters she’d exchanged with his mother, a dear friend before she died, and latterly from the housekeeper in the castle, she had listened to his tale, knowing how stricken he was over the parting. “I think you have done the right thing, Richard. The situation was untenable and unlikely to change. You are better away from it and making your own way in life. Go abroad, see the world. You are fit and able and will do well in the Americas.” She had provided him with ample funds, waving a dismissive hand at his vow to pay her back. “You will inherit money when I go, so you might as well have the use of it now.” It had been a boon in his new life abroad.
“Yes, Aunt, I promise.” In view of her help in the past, it was time to repay the debt, and he had the answer ready. “I beg you to lay your worries to rest. Lord Tasker has upset you badly, but I must assure you, I believe you are more than a match for him. You fret too much about your age. You are nowhere nearer heading for your maker than I am. You have always been young in my eyes and are the strongest person I know.”
“Oh, you divine flatterer! I am right—you are the nicest man I know.” She smiled gratefully at him. “Still, you have calmed my fears. I will relax and enjoy your company.”
He turned back to read his mail, and the room was silent for quite a while, his attention caught between the gentle though undoubted power she was exerting to agree to her wishes and the letters he’d received.
Eventually, he said, “I shall have to go to London tomorrow, probably for a couple of days. I need to set up a new office to deal with my overseas holdings and also see my father’s solicitors regarding the estate and what needs to be done. If you have any queries about your town house, I’ll be pleased to pass them on.”
“How thoughtful of you, but you are coming back, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I shan’t be gone long, but can only stay a short time when I return. There is much to do in the north, and the sooner I get onto it the better. Meanwhile, you will be packing for your visit and will not want a house guest around. Make your peace with Lucie, and tell her not to fuss that she is being forced into anything she doesn’t want.”
* * * *
He was astride his horse early the next morning as dawn was breaking, heading for the capital and the tasks he needed to carry out. Chief amongst them was the hiring of a secretary. He definitely needed help in tying all his business affairs into reasonable order. He had wondered on the ship coming over whether he would return to America and transact business from there. Having realised all the many problems he was facing with the estate, that plan was definitely knocked on the head. Dealing with correspondence, hiring craftsmen for the restorations…his brain almost seized at the number of jobs he knew lay ahead. It settled one objective he could not change. For good or ill, the life he saw in the future was henceforth bound to England.
His thoughts turned to Lucie and what he should do about her. Despite his promise to Eleanor, he was his own man and coercion was something he abhorred. When he eventually took a wife, he wanted to be sure he would find a desirable partner that suited him. Someone to create a happy family
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