Tears formed in Mira’s eyes. “Because of what you have taught me,” she murmured. “You saved my life, my lady. You taught me everything I know, of course, but when my mother rejected me, you took me back to Axminster with open arms. You sheltered me and fed me and treated me as if… as if I was wanted. I can never thank you enough for that.”
“Your mother does not deserve you,” Isabel muttered. “Promise me that when I am gone and you are the countess, you will send your mother a missive announcing this so she will know the value I placed on her daughter.Herdaughter, whom I love.”
Mira blinked and tears splattered. “I love you also,” she said. “Thank you… for everything.”
Isabel smiled weakly. “You may show your thanks by convincing Douglas to marry me,” she said. “The witnesses are here. All he need do is consent. Then you may have someonedraw up a document stating that we wed by mutual consent and the witnesses may sign. That is all that is required by law.”
Mira nodded, turning her gaze inevitably to Douglas, who was standing with his arms folded stubbornly across his chest. Kissing Isabel gently on the forehead, she left the woman’s bedside and pulled Douglas out into the corridor where they could speak privately.
“Before you say anything, know that I do not feel right about this,” he whispered loudly.
Mira was patient with him. “Why not, if it is what she wants?”
He rolled his eyes. “Because it looks as if I stole the title from her upon her deathbed,” he said. “Regardless of how it happened, I will appear morally corrupt, and I do not wish for that to follow me around for the rest of my life!”
Mira nodded calmly. “Then it is your reputation you are concerned with and not Isabel’s last request,” she said. “Douglas, she is going to die. She wants to die in peace. Axminster is her entire life and she wants to know that her legacy will continue.”
He waved her off irritably. “I know that, but—”
“But you are more concerned about what others will think,” Mira said, interrupting him. “Isabel is being selfish in her request, that is true, but I do not blame her. And you should understand, of all people. All that is left of us when we die is our legacy. She is begging for you to be hers. Why can you not see that?”
He eyed her a moment before sighing heavily. “When you put it that way, you make me sound selfish.”
“You are if you are only concerned for yourself and not her dying wish.”
His jaw twitched faintly and he leaned against the wall, pondering the situation, seeing both sides of it. Mira went to him, putting her soft hands on his arms.
“I do not care if you are the Earl of Axminster,” she murmured. “I do not care if I am the Countess of Axminster. I was agreeable to marrying you without a title and I would be agreeable to marrying you when you have it. It does not matter to me. But you will make a great earl, Douglas, and you will make Isabel proud. And Eric. Let us fulfill something they no longer can. Let us create a legacy of love here at Axminster, honoring Isabel and her family as well as our own. The blending of two houses, carrying on the traditions and legacy of Axminster. That is all she wants.”
He looked at her a moment before breaking down into a faint smile. “My father always calls me the wise one,” he said. “I think you have me beaten in that arena.”
Mira smiled back. “It is not of wisdom I speak, but of logic,” she said. “And of love. Isabel is asking you to do this out of love.”
Of course he couldn’t refuse when she put it like that. Douglas was starting to come around now, starting to see it from Mira’s perspective. But before he could reply, the door opened and Jonathan appeared.
“If you are going to make a decision, then do it quickly,” he said. “She is growing weaker. The physic says she will not last much longer.”
The tears returned to Mira’s eyes. After standing on her toes to kiss Douglas on the cheek, she rushed back into the chamber, leaving Douglas and Jonathan alone in the corridor.
“What do you think about this madness?” Douglas asked. “Mira thinks I should do it.”
“So do I,” Jonathan said. “Not for the title, but because it is the right thing to do, Douglas. It is what Lady Isabel wants. The woman wants to die in peace. Let her.”
“You do not think it looks as if I am taking advantage of the situation?”
“I think Lady Isabel is taking advantage of the situation,” Jonathan said, grinning. “She knows what she wants and she’s using her demise to get it.”
“She isusingme?”
“This is one chess game against you that she is going to win.”
Douglas stared at him a moment before breaking down into laughter. “Very well,” he said. “I suppose I will let her have this one.”
“You’ll do it?”
“I will.”
“Good,” Jonathan said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Come back into the chamber. You’ll have to make this fast.”
