“Speaking ofhim,” Kimberly’s husband, Viscount Laringsby said, “I do believe he’s headed this way right now with your mother.”
Everyone turned. Louise hadn’t realized her parents were at the ball. She’d not seen either of them until now.
“Time to make ourselves scarce,” Kimberly said. She added a quick, “We’ll see you Sunday afternoon as usual.”
“Coward,” Louise told her sister’s retreating back. She reached for Marcus’s hand and took solace in the warm strength she found there.
“Remember,” he said as they steeled themselves for what Grasmere might say, “we’re in this together.”
She smiled in spite of the sudden loss flooding her heart. The last time she’d seen her father, he’d ridden off in a carriage after severing ties with her forever. Swallowing, she prepared herself for what he might say - for the outrage she expected him to show on account of her being here in public like this with her dishonored husband. He’d probably think it an insult to the Grasmere name.
But when Papa reached her, he simply stopped, drew to a halt, and stared back at her for a long moment before he suddenly bowed. Louise blinked. She almost stuck out her hand, intent on steadying him in case he was keeling over. Because surely that was what was happening here. The alternative was too improbable. And yet, it did appear as though her father was conveying his acceptance of her and Marcus as a couple. In public, no less.
The earl straightened. Louise held her breath. And then…
Her father gave Marcus his full attention. “Sir Marcus, my wife and I are honored to welcome you to our family. If you and Louise are amicable, we’d like to invite you to dine with us at your earliest convenience.”
“I think we would both appreciate that a great deal,” Marcus said. He glanced at Louise who readily nodded, for although Papa had been unbearably difficult and might deserve being punished for the manner in which he’d treated Marcus, he was family, and Louise didn’t have the heart to ignore the olive branch he was holding toward them. Especially not since she didn’t believe in denying the child she now knew she carried the right to know his or her only living grandpapa.
Grasmere’s features relaxed and it occurred to Louise he’d worried she and Marcus would reject his invitation. She glanced at her mother, who gave her a secretive smile. No doubt the lady had poked and prodded her husband until he longed for peace more than he wished to be stubborn.
“It wasn’t easy for us to get where we are,” Louise told Marcus a few minutes later when they went to catch some fresh air on the terrace alone.
“The best rewards,” he murmured, drawing her into his warm embrace, “must be earned. So I don’t at all regret the struggle we’ve been through to get here. It just makes me all the more thankful for what I have.”
“I love you with all my heart, Marcus.”
He answered her with a glorious kiss filled with endless promise.
