“To be certain, you were better off in their care than you ever would have been in my father’s.” Maypoole sighed. “If you wish to visit any of the family estates, you and the Fenmores are welcome there any time. My carriages are at your disposal and as of this moment, I shall be bestowing a monthly allowance on you. Furthermore, I’d like to plan your entrance into London Society this coming spring. As my newly discovered sister, you’ll have some mystery attached to your name. This will undoubtedly aid your popularity, most notably with regard to encouraging suitors.”
Jack blinked. This new situation, which had begun as a pleasant surprise, was starting to snowball out of control. If he didn’t say something soon, he might lose the reins on it altogether. He turned to Maypoole, who’d always struck him as a sensible fellow. “Before you proceed any further, my lord, I wonder if it might be possible for me to have a word with you in private?”
Surprise caused Maypoole’s eyes to flicker. He stared at Jack just long enough to suggest he’d like to conclude his business regarding Sophia first and that he found Jack’s interruption frustrating. But as the gentleman he was and, Jack reasoned, in deference to his position as an earl’s heir, Maypoole dipped his head in agreement. “Very well.”
“May we make use of your study, Mr. Fenmore?” Jack asked.
“By all means.” In spite of his easy tone, deep grooves were present on Mr. Fenmore’s brow. Clearly the man was concerned over Jack’s unusual request. Jack couldn’t fault him when they’d all been deep in a conversation that had by all accounts been moving along with great promise.
Edward, on the other hand, who’d remained at Felicity’s shoulder since she’d claimed his seat, offered Jack a nod of encouragement as Jack turned for the door.
“You are aware that this request of yours to speak with me in private when I was in the middle of laying out ways in which I hope to improve Sophia’s life may not only be construed as rude but highly suspicious.” Maypoole stepped inside Mr. Fenmore’s study, shut the door, and crossed his arm. “I hope your reason for it is sound.”
“It is.” Jack faced the marquess with steel in his spine. Maypoole was ten years his senior – seventeen years older than Sophia. They’d never run with the same crowd. Indeed, the marquess had always struck Jack as the somber sort who never engaged in anything fun. Which prompted Jack to wonder how his wife, a lovely lady with a tremendously outgoing personality, tolerated him. He cleared his throat. “Since you mentioned sponsoring a Season for Sophia, I thought it best to tell you that she and I intend to marry.”
Maypoole’s brows dipped. “According to what Mr. Fenmore has told me, she was engaged to his son until they broke things off last night.”
Relief swam through Jack’s veins. He’d not had a chance to inquire how things stood between Sophia and Edward – if they had spoken and come to a mutual agreement. He was glad to know they had. Hopefully, Edward’s parents did not begrudge them this decision and all would be well in the end.
“Which they did because Mr. Edward Fenmore would rather marry my sister Felicity while Sophia wishes to marry me. She and I love each other, my lord.”
“Then why, if I may ask, did she wind up engaged to another man?”
Jack gave Maypoole a swift account of the facts, then added, “As I’m sure you can appreciate, I needed to secure an income and a viable path forward if I was to thwart my father and marry Sophia. This took time. Mistakes were made, I’ll grant you. She didn’t know until now that my heart beats for her and her alone. Truth is, I didn’t realize it either until I returned and found her attached. As a result, she lost hope, and since she did not believe she had many prospects, she accepted the offer of marriage she received.”
“Yes, but how did…” Moorland waved his hand. “Never mind. I doubt it matters and even if it does, I’ve little desire to try and comprehend the intricacies of this mess you’ve created. So, let’s focus on the facts at hand. You wish to marry Sophia, yes?”
“I do.”
“And if what you say is true, she wishes to marry you as well?”
“If you doubt me, you may ask her yourself.”
Maypoole smirked. “Fear not, Hawthorne, for I intend to do precisely that, I can assure you. But if she is willing, then I suppose a marriage would be possible. Technically speaking. After all, now that she has connections, I doubt your father will keep protesting the match. Which should allow you to retain the inheritance you stood to lose while also avoiding the possible scandal of him cutting you off.”
“My thought exactly.”
“By the by,” Maypoole said, “I do commend you for trying to make your own way – for fighting for what you wanted by creating your own fortune. I respect you for it, truly I do. However…”
Jack braced himself. Unease stroked his spine.
“I’m inclined to believe my sister can do better.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Your reputation is practically in the gutter. You’re a reputed rake. Indeed, it’s near impossible to read a paper without seeing your name in the gossip column.”
“I’ll admit there have been some indiscretions.”
“Some?” Maypoole snorted. “Point is I value my good name too much to have it tarnished in any way, as would likely occur if you became my brother-in-law. I also worry about my sister’s future. After everything my family put her through, I feel it’s my duty to give her the best chance of success I possibly can. So I’m sorry, but I shall have to oppose this match.”
Jack stared at the marquess. A violent haze of red descended upon his vision. Heat shot up his spine and into his skull. He leaned toward the opposing force standing before him and balled his hands into fists. “No.”
Maypoole raised one arrogant brow. “No?”
“You will not have a say in this matter. I refuse to allow it.”
“You refuse to allow it? Ha!”
