“Before she came here, she was twenty-three, and she didn’tread at all,” the man returned.
“I—”
The doctor squared his shoulders.“My lord, I’m sure I don’thave to remind you, your daughter…your lovely, sweet daughter, sustained asignificant head injury at the age of six.”
Edgar drew in an affronted breath at being reminded ofsomething he expended quite a bit of effort to forget.
The doctor persevered, “It was an injury of such magnitude,at the time, the physicians you called in, allfourof them, told younot only that you were very lucky she was alive, but that it would take amiracle for her to live what is considered a ‘normal’ life.However, in all hernotes, throughout her life, every physician who has had charge of her care hasrecorded that they’ve repeatedly shared with you that she could lead a happylife.However, only if she receives the proper care.She needs stability.Sheneeds patience.She needs predictability.And she needs…”—the man held Edgar’sgaze—“care andlove.”
Edgar stared at him, thinking,No, whatIneedis a miracle.
He lifted his nose.“I’ll be researching other facilitiesand will inform you by missive if she will be moved and where.”
“Shehas a name, milord.It’s the one you gave her.It’s Maxine,” the doctor retorted coldly.
Edgar glared at him, turned on his foot, and with his cloaksnapping out behind him, such was the velocity of his departure, he left theroom.
And he did so not sparing another glance to his daughter.
Derryman~
Forgive that I offer no polite preamble.However, I donot for this is the sixth such missive I have sent in as many months.
Therefore, I will not delay before I remind you ofclause 12b of the betrothal contract we two hold between my son and yourdaughter.
To refresh your memory, clause 12b states that if theMarquess of Remington should attain the age of thirty-five without you offeringLady Maxine’s hand in marriage, and that hand isn’t legally bound to my son andheir in order that they can pursue the efforts of continuing my line, he is nolonger bound to the contract.As such, he will be free to choose who he wishesto take to wife.
It is time my son takes a woman to wife.
We shall be celebrating Loren’s 35th birthday six monthshence.
I do hope we’ll be celebrating a wedding sometimebefore.
I daresay I will hear from you very soon.
Yours in loyalty toHawkvale,
~Ansley Copeland
12th Duke of Dalton
Edgar tossed the letter on his desk in frustration.
He then stared across the room at the portrait of his verybeautiful but very dead wife.
“I once was a titan,” he proclaimed.
This was not pride speaking.
He was.
He was known as The Dealmaker.
So renowned for his intuition of the markets, anyinvestment, people from as high asLunwynand as lowasFleuridiasought his counsel.
So renowned, the great Duke of Dalton sought an alliancebetween their families.
The Duke of Dalton!
