Sir Deverel Whitby, the senior solicitor and head of the firm of Whitby & Whitby, hurried out to greet them as soon as they walked in.“Welcome, Mr.Farthingale.Miss Farthingale.May I offer my felicitations?”
He escorted them into his spacious office that contained rows of bookshelves laden with what appeared to be legal texts, a massive desk piled with papers, and an elegant table where he obviously sat when meeting with his clients.
Sir Deverel was an imposing man despite being of average height and little brawn.Perhaps it was his snow-white beard and thick, white eyebrows that gave his countenance that aura ofgravitas.
Davenport was already in the solicitor’s office, seated at the table with several official looking papers before him.
He rose as Tulip and her uncle were escorted in.“Good morning.”
Tulip smiled as he drew out the chair beside his and motioned for her to take the seat.Their shoulders grazed as she sat, sending tingles shooting through her.“I hope we did not keep you waiting.”
“Not at all, you are right on time,” he assured.“I came early to set out the betrothal terms for Sir Deverel and his clerks to put in writing.”
She nodded.“How quickly can a betrothal agreement be prepared?”
“Oh, not before the end of the week at the earliest,” Sir Deverel replied, taking a seat at the head of the table.
“What your uncle and I will sign today,” Davenport explained, “is merely a letter of intent setting forth the terms of our agreement.I know Sir Deverel would prefer the agreement itself entered into before our wedding, but there simply isn’t time.”
“Why insist on this rush?I know you are worried about what Caruthers might be planning,” she said, “but I will remain on my guard now that I know the sort of man he is.Our wedding can wait.”
Davenport frowned.“Tulip, do you not wish to marry me?”
The question surprised her, and the tone of it, too.He seemed saddened by the thought she might not want him.
She silently chided herself for failing to give proper consideration to his feelings.
Was it possible he really wanted to marry her?
It felt so implausible.
But this doubt sprang from within her and had led to those awful dreams she’d had last night.If she were honest about it, his behavior had always been polite and considerate toward her.
In truth, above reproach.
She was the one who always found an excuse to run away from him, unfairly branding him as a man to be avoided at all costs because the prior Davenport dukes had such bad reputations.
But he was nothing like them.
Or was he?And just hiding it very well.
There would be no avoiding him once they were married.
For this reason, she had a very important question that needed answering before they proceeded any further.“Your Grace, do you think you could ever find it in your heart to love me?”
His eyes widened.“If you are asking whether I want our marriage to be something real, to be one of friendship and commitment to each other, the answer is yes.This was the first question your uncle asked me.”
“Oh.”She turned to her uncle.“Why did you not tell me?”
“I thought you understood we would never agree to your marrying any suitor unless there was the possibility of love,” John said.
“I see.Thank you.”She returned her attention to Davenport.“Then you think there might someday be love between us?”
“It is what I hope for, Tulip.Is it not wisest to enter into this marriage wishing for it and working to make it a good and happy union?”
“Yes, for certain.It is exactly what I want for us.”
The answer seemed to please him.“Then shall we move ahead with these wedding arrangements?”
