~~~
Erina straightened up from adjustingHarry’s sling. She stared in horror at her father and Sir Ambroseentering the door of Harry’s room.
Sir Ambrose rushed over tothe bed. “Son. Areyou on the mend? From Erina’s letter I understood you were winged?The injury appears to be a good deal more serious.”
“It’s a mere nick, Father.It’s good to see you,” Harry said with great aplomb. “I am healingwell, thanks to Erina’s devoted ministrations.” He glanced at Erinawho suspected her face to be blotchy. Her skin always spotted pinkand white when she was tense. And her father who seemed to bewrestling with a strong emotion, had yet to utter aword.
“It seemed the least Icould do,” she said. “It was so kind of Mr. Feather to escort me tomy cousin. Cathleen was in very real danger.”
“Danger!” Her father hadfound his voice. “Obviously you placed yourself and poor Haroldhere in danger. Explain yourself! What plausible reason could youhave for this insane business, my girl?”
“Erina was concerned forher cousin, and rightly so, Lord Rountree,” Harry said. “MissCathleen was about to be forced into a marriage with a miscreant.Thanks to your brave and compassionate daughter, the young lady’shome has been returned to her.”
Her father’s eyebrows shot up. “Youcame all the way to Ireland facing scandal, to rescue a womanyou’ve never met?”
“Yes, Papa. But because wehave corresponded regularly I’ve come to know Cathleen well. And,after all, she is Mama’s niece.”
He glared, her gentle rebuke havingfailed to soften his anger. “Has Sir Ambrose, and I labored underthe misconception that you and Henry eloped?”
“We are not married, Papa.”Erina glanced at Harry, wishing she’d had the matter out with himbefore this. Their parents had formed an even closer alliance,intent on seeing she and Harry tie the knot. To marry a man whodidn’t love her went against everything she wished for herself.Harry was a decent man, but her pride would suffer. She would losea sense of herself.
“This mishap has caused asticky situation I grant you, but can soon be put right,” Harrysaid ambiguously.
“Oh?” Her father asked.“And how might that be achieved?”
Erina tried to find a way to halt theconversation, but felt like she was sinking into deep water, farfrom the light.
Harry glanced at her. “I should liketo speak to Erina alone if I may.”
“I should think you’ve hadmore than enough time to… to… talk,” her father said his faceflushing the color of a pomegranate. “My daughter has been in yourbedroom without a chaperon, often, it seems, and for someconsiderable time.”
“But nothing you wouldcensure has happened between us, Papa,” Erina rushed to explain.“Mr. Feather is a gentleman.”
“Now, Crispin, calm down oryou’ll give yourself the apoplexy,” Sir Ambrose said to her father.“The boy has been injured and is in no shape to… well enough said.Let’s sit down to a meal and talk this through sensibly.” He guidedher father to the door. “We’ll just leave this to the young peopleto sort out.” He raised his eyebrows at Harry. “Then we’ll know howto proceed.”
“Well… I’m not sure that’swise, when these two get their heads together...” Her father’s lookover his shoulder at her was an odd mixture of anger, despair, andhope. “Very well. You have half an hour.”
The door closed. Erina looked at Harrywordlessly. “Come and sit down, Erina,” he said. “We don’t havelong.”
She sank onto the chair by the bed.“Harry, I know about the… I found the…”
He nodded. “The marriagelicense.”
“Yes. I didn’t mean to pry…it fell out of your pocket. But I don’t want you to feel you haveto...”
Harry sighed. “Erina, surely you musthave realized our remarkable journey would have to end likethis.”
“Remarkable?” she askedseizing on it.
“Yes. For me it hasbeen.”
“But you always wanted aquiet life.”
He reached out and took her hand.“Yes, but after the war, I wanted to shut myself away. You’ve curedme of that wish. I’ll always be eternally grateful toyou.”
“You’re grateful?” Herheart sank.
“I’ll need you to keep meup to snuff though. Will you marry me? I’m aware you don’t wish towed, but I’ll try to be a good husband. I promise never to attemptto turn you into a biddable wife. Knowing how hopeless a task thatwould be,” he added with a smile. “And it will make two old menhappy.”
