A polite way of saying they did not want her interfering and botching their negotiations.
“I am merely a doctor,” George added, “but my brothers are quite good at this sort of thing.Let them do what they must to protect you.”
She frowned.“The duke has already shown he has valor and will do whatever he must to keep me safe.Should we not trust him to do what is right?Has he not already shown he has an excellent moral character?”
“And this is why we do not want you in here,” John said, taking her by the shoulders and nudging her toward the door.“You are naively softhearted, Tulip.”
Davenport smiled.“And an excellent negotiator on my behalf.”
“Because I know you are a man of honor,” Tulip said, talking over her shoulder as her uncle steered her out.“I apologize for taking so long to realize it.”
John rolled his eyes.
George laughed.
“Where is Hortensia when we need her?”Rupert muttered.
“Oh, yes,” Tulip warned.“You had better come to an agreement before Hortensia sticks her nose in our business, Davenport.”
“Who is Hortensia?”Davenport asked.
“The family dragon,” they all happened to respond in unison.
John chuckled as he sought to explain about the eldest of the family elders.“She can be a bit difficult.”
“But she’ll make for a wonderful ally if she likes you,” Tulip assured him as John gave her a final, gentle nudge.
“Thank you for the warning,” Davenport called out as John shut the door behind her.
Everyone considered their elderly, maiden aunt a total dragon who did not believe in compromise and struck fear in the hearts of all mere mortals.In truth, Tulip was surprised Hortensia hadn’t swooped down from her bedchamber and set forth her edicts about what was to be done.No negotiation.Her terms only.Scorched earth and no mercy shown.If Tulip or Davenport had any objections, too bad.
Hortensia was not the sort to listen patiently while others spoke.
Perhaps the hour was too late for Hortensia to join them.
She would be in fine fettle come morning, and Davenport had better hope the betrothal terms were agreed upon and the matter concluded before she awoke.
Tulip was now left to stand in the hall with her cousins, none of whom had yet to leave.
The gentlemen ended their discussion not long afterward.
Davenport walked out of the study, his features expressionless.
Tulip could not tell if he was pleased or angry.
She followed him to the door.“Well?How did it go?Were they too demanding?”
He tucked a finger under her chin.“All is agreed upon.”
“That easily?What were the terms?The discussion did not take more than fifteen minutes.How is this adequate?”
“Come to my solicitor’s office tomorrow with your uncle and you will find out.”
She tugged lightly on his arm.“Can you not tell me tonight?”
He shook his head.“It is late, and I need to revise my travel arrangements before I retire.”
“Yes, of course.I do feel awful about this.”
