“You just said ‘given what you’ve been told’, which implies there are things that have not been said. If these things will prove my current assessment of you to be wrong, I should be heartily glad to hear them, and for my own sake rather than yours. Besides, if your offer of marriage to my daughter is as sincere as you say, you must allow her father to have few reservations when considering it.”
“A fair point.” Harlow regarded his empty glass once more. “This whiskey was surprisingly excellent. Not as good as the Scottish stuff, of course.”
Aldous, understanding the man’s intent, rose to his feet. “I take it you’ll have another?”
“I believe I will,” he replied, and handed the glass over. “And I must also beg your discretion, sir. I’d prefer that what I’m about to tell you remains within the confines of your family. For the time being, at least.”
“Of course,” Aldous said, filling both glasses once more.
“Thank you.” Harlow took his drink, frowning as he appeared to ponder. “The wheels of gossip had begun to turn even before you left the party this evening,” he said at last. “As a result, Miss Chessington broke our engagement at my insistence. The decision, being presented as her own, will hopefully allow her to maintain her dignity. Her pride is wounded, perhaps, but herreputation—and her heart—remain intact. And, in case you’re wondering, I insisted she keep the mare. Otherwise, my regret at our parting is, I confess, somewhat benign. Ours was not a love match.”
“Hmm, yes, I’m aware of that. My daughter told me about the argument she overheard.”
Harlow gave a nod. “And the only way I can make reparation to Miss Northcott’s reputation is by marriage. Hence my offer, which, I should also add, is free from any terms and conditions. I have no need of your daughter’s dowry. She may keep that for herself. The only concern is that I travel a lot, so I’ll be away much of the time, but the fact Miss Northcott will be living close to Highfield Hall means she will not be isolated. Other than my company, then, your daughter will lack for nothing. You have my word.”
“I don’t doubt your sincerity, Harlow, but to be frank,” Aldous heaved a sigh, “this union is not quite what I envisaged for her.”
The man’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m certain that’s understating it, Captain.”
Aldous decided not to mitigate the remark. Given the circumstances, he’d already been more than lenient with the blasted fellow, influenced in large part by Louisa’s refusal to place the blame at the man’s feet. Instead, a different question slid into Aldous’ brain, one borne from sheer curiosity. He took a sip of whiskey and then cleared his throat. “You’re not obliged to answer, but I cannot help wondering about your financial agreement with Lord Dent. Does it still stand?”
Harlow gave a thin smile. “I should imagine there will be a few others asking that same question come morning, sir. The answer is yes, it still stands, but with an amendment. Lord Dent will now receive restricted company shares instead of theoriginal lump sum, the dividends of which will allow him to pay off his debts over time.”
“Restrictedshares?”
“I’d rather not go into detail, Captain.” The man downed the rest of his drink. “Suffice to say I’m just covering my own interests. Despite what has occurred, I don’t owe the viscount any favors.”
Aldous smiled inwardly at the man’s implied shrewdness. If nothing else, having Maxwell Harlow as a husband would indeed mean that Louisa would want for nothing. At least, materially. He took a moment to reflect on what had already taken place and what would be the likely outcome of it all. He would do nothing till he had discussed everything with Grace. Isaac needed to be informed as well, and the sooner the better. As for Louisa, Aldous had little doubt she’d be disagreeable to the marriage, given her attraction to the confounded fellow.
But what kind of marriage will it be for our daughter? A lonely one, I fear, empty of companionship. Maxwell Harlow has admitted to being at the beck-and-call of a demanding mistress, that being his business empire.
Yet the future of a young woman who bore a mark of disgrace was even less pleasing to think about. Aldous grimaced at the telltale beginnings of a heartburn attack. He felt weary all of a sudden, as if he’d walked into an invisible wall and been knocked flat.
“It’s late, Captain.” Harlow set his glass down and rose to his feet. “I’ll leave you to consider my offer. No doubt you also wish to discuss everything with your family and Miss Northcott especially. I shall wait, then, to hear from you.” He drew a card from his pocket. “This is where I’m staying for the next several days.”
Aldous took the card. “Thank you. I sent the butler to bed, so I’ll see you out. And yes, my family will need to be informedand consulted. That includes my brother, the earl. Gossip has a tendency to gather substance as it circulates. I need to make sure the real version of events is the one they hear first.” He paused and regarded the man who, it seemed, would soon be his son-in-law, ignoring an inner whisper of regret. No, Maxwell Harlow was not the choice he’d have made for Louisa, but there it was. Better to look upon the union as a solution rather than a complication. “The damage is done, Harlow,” he said. “The only thing we can do now is try to lessen its effects on those involved. I appreciate your efforts to do what is right, as far as possible, at least. I’ll be in touch.”
*
Maxwell stepped outinto the rain, pausing for a moment to draw a steadying breath before climbing into his carriage. The evening had been messy to say the least. Five minutes of negligence on his part had changed the direction of several lives, his own included. Whether it would be for the better, in his case, remained to be seen.
Since he’d agreed—with certain amendments—to uphold the financial arrangement with Lord Dent, losing Sybella had been costly solely from a financial standpoint. A cold perspective, perhaps, but Maxwell would not claim nostalgia where none existed. Sybella had merited his respect, but she’d never come anywhere near his heart. In a romantic sense, no woman ever had.
And, in truth, Sybella held him in the same regard. Even so, she’d refused, initially, to call off their engagement. Her protestations had not been due to a wounded heart, however, but wounded pride. She saw the annulment as a capitulation to Louisa Northcott, who, according to Sybella, had surely orchestrated the entire incident. Only when Maxwell hadpointed out the potential ramifications of continuing with their alliance had she changed her tune.
By marrying Louisa Northcott, Maxwell might lessen the effects of a scandal, but he’d done her no great favor otherwise. The constraints of marriage had always been something he’d avoided due simply to his industrious lifestyle, which was not suited to the obligations of hearth and home. He feared the lass, with her romantic notions, would be even less amenable to it than Sybella.
That being so, and assuming his marriage proposal would be accepted, he’d have to make it quite clear from the outset that their relationship would not be without some challenges.
Otherwise, he saw no impediment at all.
Chapter Six
“That, basically, isthe situation as it stands,” Aldous said, “and also the reason we’re here at this early hour. We wanted you to know the truth of what occurred last night before you hear any of the distorted versions. I have yet to speak with Louisa about Harlow’s proposal, though I’m quite sure she’ll accept.”
“It’s a bit of a mess, I must say.” Isaac Northcott, seventh Earl of Hutton, and Aldous’ eldest brother, wandered over to the sideboard and poured himself another coffee from the silver pot. “Then again, it could be worse. At least this Harlow chap is accepting responsibility and has offered to do right by Louisa. And it’s not as if you know nothing of him. He’s your tenant, after all.”
Aldous grunted. “There’s a bit of a difference between him being my tenant and being my son-in-law.”
