“I thought it would take a while before you considered sharing your concerns with me.I know how private you are.”
He shook his head and cast her a wry smile.“Julius gave me some advice this afternoon, a lecture on the rules of marriage he thought I sorely needed because I am used to being so much on my own.It isn’t very hard, is it?Confiding in each other.Discussing these problems.”
“Being honest and keeping no secrets from each other?It is rather nice.I hope we do it often.”However, she frowned.
“What is it, Tulip?Are you thinking we ought to end our betrothal?”
She glanced up at him in surprise, if the widening of her eyes was any indication.“No.The more I learn about you, the more I am grateful for your offer of marriage.Doyouwish to end it?I seem to be an added burden you do not need at this time.”
“No,” he insisted.“You ease my burden, not add to it.I am happy with my choice of bride and would like to marry you.But John and the Farthingale elders might not feel the same.What will they think once they hear what happened?”
“Must you tell them?”
He sighed.“I think so.They’ll be livid if they learn of it from others…and they will learn of it.Gossip spreads fast around London.”
“That is true.”
He placed a hand over hers.“John’s own daughters gave him fits when making their debuts.Gabriel told me as much.”
Tulip laughed softly.“Oh, yes.I shall tell you all the stories while we ride to Somerset.Poor John and Sophie.I don’t know how they endured all the upheaval and excitement.There seemed to be danger at every turn.”
“Danger?Seriously?”
She nodded.“We’ll have hours to talk within the privacy of your carriage.I’m surprised Lady Withnall did not spill all the stories.”
“She mentioned a few,” he admitted.“She told me about Rose abducting her husband and Laurel almost trampling her husband with her horse.”
“All true,” Tulip said.“I suppose Lady Withnall wanted to provide you with ammunition should the family elders decide this betrothal was a mistake.”
“She seems to think of everything.”
“Because she likes you and has faith in you.”Tulip cast him a determined look.“I will stand by you when you tell them.It is best if we present a united front.”
“Then you are all right with marrying me?”
She nodded.
His heart felt lighter.
It was a ridiculously contented feeling, one he had not experienced before.This ran deeper than the satisfaction he felt when solving a crime.
This realization of no longer being alone in the world scared him and also elated him.
He was going to like having Tulip beside him.
In truth, he was eager to confide in her because she was always going to give him an honest and intelligent opinion.
He thought once more of Julius’s words of advice.
Yes, he fully intended to follow them.
The Davenport aura was a dark one and even his mother, despite loving his father, had felt the need to run away.
He would take it very hard if he ever lost Tulip’s love and support.
Having told Tulip of his concerns, they spent the rest of the meal discussing lighter topics.
After the dessert course, the ladies retreated to Lady Dayne’s parlor for tea and sherry while the men remained at the dinner table enjoying their port and discussing important issues of the day.
