"I do not need taking care of."
"No. But you deserve someone who wants to anyway." He turned to look at her, his expression serious. "He holds you in great affection. I have never seen him like this not with anyone. When he speaks of you, his whole face changes.”
"Thank you for your alliance.”
"I am your brother. It is my duty." He grinned, then sobered. "But truly, Vanessa. I have known Martin for fifteen years. He is not a man who gives his heart easily. The fact that he has given it to you completely, irrevocably means something."
"I know." Her voice was soft. "I feel the same way about him."
"Splendid. Then I shall restrain myself from the traditional brotherly threats." He paused. "Mostly."
"Mostly?"
"I reserve the right to threaten him at least once. For form's sake."
Vanessa laughed. "I am sure he will appreciate the gesture."
"He had better. I have been practicing my menacing glare." Edward demonstrated, narrowing his eyes and setting his jaw in an expression of exaggerated severity.
"Terrifying."
"I thought so." He relaxed, the silliness fading into something more sincere. "I am glad you are happy, Van. After everything…the letters, the worry, all those years of pining…you deserve this. You both do."
"You know about the letters?"
"Martin told me. Last night, after you went upstairs." Edward's expression was carefully neutral. "He felt I should know, given that I am your brother and his closest friend. He was quite prepared for me to punch him."
"Did you?"
"I considered it. But then I decided that anyone who had suffered through six years of unrequited affection or what hebelieved was unrequited affection, had already punished himself quite enough." He shook his head. "Honestly, Van. The two of you. Dancing around each other for years, both convinced the other did not care. It would be tragic if it were not so absurd."
"We were both very foolish."
“Extremely.”
He patted her on the knee.
“I need you to give me your word that should you have any qualms…you must tell him before another six years pass…communication, Van, is very important.”
"I promise."
"Excellent." He rose from the bench, brushing off his trousers. "Now, I am going to go rescue Martin from Mama's clutches before she convinces him to have the wedding at Westminster Abbey. He looked rather desperate when I left."
"You are a good brother."
"The best." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Do not stay out here too long. The champagne is excellent, and I intend to drink most of it before you return."
He disappeared back into the house, leaving Vanessa alone with her thoughts and the gentle rustle of leaves.
***
There was still one conversation she needed to have.
She had been delaying it but, it was time to discuss the situation with Lord Deane deserved better than to hear of her betrothal through the society pages.
She found him at his club.
It was unconventional, a lady calling at a gentleman's club, but Vanessa had sent a note ahead asking him to meet her in the small garden courtyard that adjoined the building. It was private enough for a difficult conversation, public enough to maintain propriety.
