“There are a few practicalities we need to cover,” Grasmere said, the easy tone he’d used with Marcus earlier hardening slightly. “First, I want it to be absolutely clear to you both that I oppose your marrying.” When Louise opened her mouth to protest, he silenced her with a quelling look and added, “It is my belief and concern that you are basing your decision, Louise, on some fanciful notion that won’t sustain you in the long-run. Duty, practicality, and level-headed judgment are the tools one ought to apply when selecting a life partner. Instead, you are applying emotion, which is something I fear will end in catastrophe for you.”
“Papa,” Louise said.
“As such,” Grasmere continued, “I cannot give you my blessing, nor can I bestow you with any sort of dowry, since doing so would mean I approve, which I most heartily do not. In fact, the only reason I’m not hauling you back to London and forcing you into marriage with Scarsdale is because you’ve managed to back me into a corner. Well done.”
Marcus glanced at Louise and saw she was pressing her lips together to stifle a smile. His lips twitched in response. She truly was a remarkable woman.
“I should add that Mr. Berkly’s saving your life and the part he played in his father’s arrest also signify to some extent. His character has impressed me. That said, however, he is not the sort of man I wish to associate with in any capacity. Do you understand what that means, Louise?”
She nodded as the reality of her sacrifice crashed over Marcus. “We will never be invited to visit with you, and you will never come to see us. Our ties with you and Mama end here.”
“Of course, I cannot speak on behalf of your siblings,” Grasmere said. “Albert and that progressive wife of his will probably still welcome you with open arms. It’s possible your sisters and their husbands will too. But that doesn’t mean they should. So I’ll ask you both to consider the consequence you will have on the lives of those you choose to associate with.”
The maid arrived with three plates of eggs, bacon, toast, and sausages, which she served before departing once more. Louise took another sip of her tea while her father proceeded to cut his sausage. “I understand completely, Papa, and while it may take some adjustment, I accept all of this.”
Marcus watched her with quiet foreboding. He wasn’t so sure he could accept such bleak terms, but when he considered what would happen to her if they did not marry, his heart settled into a steadier rhythm.
“We do not need my dowry,” Louise added with strong conviction. “Marcus has a good position at the hospital which he’ll return to after Berlin. Once we’re back in London, he’ll help me open a school for blind children, which is what I have wanted to do for years, only now it will be possible since I’ll have a husband who shares the same interest. We’ll work, Papa, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Indeed, I look forward to it immensely.”
“You do realize you’re choosing a man you’ve known for only two months over the family that has supported you your entire life?”
Marcus quickly ate a bite of food to stop himself from commenting. Phrased like that, it did make sense that the earl would be somewhat put out.
“Only because you’re forcing me to,” Louise said. She leaned toward her father with a sigh and placed one hand over his, prompting him to meet her gaze. “I realize raising me hasn’t been easy and that all you want is to do right by me, but making me marry someone I do not care for, no matter how prestigious he may be, isn’t the answer. I want more. Ineedmore. And I’ve found all my heart could ever desire in Marcus. He has become the most important person to me, Papa, so it doesn’t matter how much you try to punish me for choosing him. Nothing in the world will ever make me change my mind.”
God help him, he wanted to pull her into his lap and kiss her senseless. But since that would be highly inappropriate with her father present, Marcus settled on sending her a loving smile. Christ, he adored her.
“In that case, I shall return to London so I can inform your mother.” Grasmere chewed his food, drank some coffee, and said, “I wish you luck, and pray my concerns for your future are unfounded.”
With little else left to be said on the matter, they finished their meal in silence before accompanying the earl outside to his carriage. Marcus’s chest ached as he watched Louise give Grasmere a parting embrace. This might, after all, be the last time she ever saw her father, a notion that didn’t sit well with Marcus at all.
Even though he knew they were doing the right thing, he hated coming between her and her family, but as she’d said, it was the earl’s own fault. If he wanted to, he could show more strength of character by supporting their match and accepting the blow he might suffer to his reputation, which would in all likelihood be nothing more than a brief irritation.
But considering Grasmere was the sort of man who’d most likely placed duty before his own happiness on more than one occasion, Marcus understood him. In a funny sort of way, he probably pitied the earl’s cool ability to make decisions devoid of emotion as much as the earl pitied his lack of social standing.
Determined to make matters easier for Louise to bear, he waited for her to step away from her father, then stuck out his hand for Grasmere to shake. To Marcus’s relief, the earl didn’t hesitate.
An unspoken agreement hung between them, the significance of which would be lost to anyone else who happened to see the exchange. But Marcus felt it in the firm clasp of Grasmere’s hand and saw it in the intensity of his gaze. The earl had officially handed over his daughter’s safekeeping to Marcus.
“Safe journey to Berlin,” Grasmere said right before climbing into the carriage. He took a seat on the bench and leaned forward to pull the door shut, only to pause for a moment and say, “A letter now and again would be welcome.”
“Of course, Papa,” Louise promised.
Grasmere nodded, pulled the door shut, and signaled for the coachman to set off.
Intent on making good on the promise he’d made of seeing to Louise’s happiness, Marcus swept his arm around her and held her close until her father’s carriage turned a corner and disappeared out of sight, then kissed her for good measure to ease any doubts in her mind.
Louise answered Marcus’s kiss with the utmost of dedication. For the first time in her life, she was free - free from her father’s command, free from the stricture her title had always placed upon her, free from the dowry her parents had used as a lure, and free to be more than anyone ever believed she could be. It felt wonderful, and Marcus felt wonderful, and Louise could not keep from laughing against his mouth.
“We’ve done it,” she chuckled. “We’ve overthrown the opposition.”
“Indeed we have. Mostly thanks to your bravery.”
Something in his voice made her draw back and look at him. Although he smiled, his eyes were marred by concern. “You worry I do not realize what I’m getting into and that once I do it will be too late. But you mustn’t. Marcus, I beg you. Have faith in me. Have faith in us.”
The worry faded and admiration took over. “I’ve no idea what I’ve done to deserve you, Louise.”
“Well, let’s see,” she said as they strolled toward the docks so they could purchase their tickets on the next outbound vessel. “You dedicate Saturdays to a group of orphans because you’re kind, operate on people’s eyes so they can see, and have recently shot a dangerous villain. If you like, I can enumerate countless other things for which I personally owe you my gratitude, but this is a very good start.”
