“I want to counter Shrewsberry’s offer,” he told Papa firmly.
Papa straightened. The look in his eyes was skeptical at best. “What can you possibly do to save our family from ruin?”
“I can marry an earl’s daughter.” He spoke with the confidence of a man for whom this was a simple matter, as if he would not have to pray neither Henry nor Stratham would shoot him dead upon his return to Stratham House.
Papa’s eyes widened and he began to laugh. “You? Marry an earl’s daughter? Well, I’ve never.”
“I’ll need you to draft a letter,” Tristan continued, ignoring his father’s outburst, “in which you declare Henley House and all its property mine upon marriage. In exchange, I’ll sign a document promising you a monthly allowance, just as Shrewsberry did.”
“My God. You’re actually serious?”
“Deadly so,” Tristan muttered. He crossed his arms and glared at his father. “Well?”
“Impossible. The contract between your sister and the baron has already been drawn. The first banns have been called. The wedding’s to take place in only two weeks–”
“Give me one week, Papa. Allow me the chance to save Iris from this fate and for me to marry the woman I love.”
Papa blinked. “You fell in love with an earl’s daughter? How on earth is that even possible, Tristan?”
“I’ll explain all of that later. For now, however, I’d say we have little time to spare.” With a three day ride ahead and the clock ticking down toward Iris’s wedding, haste was of the essence. “Will you draft the letter or not?”
Papa shook his head. “I made a promise to Shrewsberry. It would be ungentlemanly of me not to keep it.”
“You and I both know that a promise made to a scoundrel has no bearing.”
“Nevertheless, he has the means to save us while I cannot imagine your plan being more than a dream.”
“You’re not wrong,” Tristan admitted. Papa offered an arrogant snort. Ignoring it, Tristan said, “But you can’t deny that if I am able to pull this off, it will have a better outcome for all of us, yourself included.”
“I suppose an earl would make a more prestigious relation than a baron,” Papa murmured.
Tristan met his gaze. “Does that mean I have your agreement?”
An unbearable moment of silence passed. Papa frowned. He seemed to consider. Tristan held his breath.
“Very well,” Papa finally muttered. He opened his desk drawer and retrieved a crisp piece of paper with a slowness that made Tristan feel like a vein might pop in his head at any second. “I’ll do what I can to help you achieve the match you desire since it is, as you describe it, in all of our best interests.”
Tristan chose not to comment. Instead, he thanked the Lord for Papa’s willingness to cooperate, no matter his reason, and began to dictate. Half an hour later, with his father’s assurance in hand and his own promise of financial support still freshly signed on the desk, Tristan took his leave.
“Hold on a second,” Papa said as Tristan strode to the door. “Does this earl’s daughter love you in return?”
Lilli had told him she did, but that was before she’d known he was lying. To his father he said, “I bloody well hope so.”
Nine
Lilli sipped her tea with smug satisfaction. It was almost one week since she’d seen Tristan last, and during that time Papa had done all in his power to encourage Mr. Ershwin’s and Mr. Newhurst’s interests in her. Sadly, however, Mr. Ershwin had come down with a terrible cold immediately after the masquerade ball and had sent his regrets in response to the luncheon Papa had invited him to. Meanwhile, Mr. Newhurst had shown up, but as soon as he’d stepped from his carriage a wasp had stung him, resulting in an allergic reaction and his prompt departure.
Both gentlemen had vowed to call upon her at a later date. Until then, Papa had scoured the nearby countryside for additional options, resulting in an excursion with Viscount Billsford, who’d stopped by a neighboring township to visit his sister. Unfortunately, he’d tripped over a fallen branch and twisted his ankle while walking with Lilli and her parents through the woods.
“You see?” Grandmama said, her question directed at Papa. “Fate won’t allow her to end up with anyone other than the man she is destined to be with.”
“Nonsense,” said Papa, though the comment held less force than usual. He waved one hand in the air. “You’re reading too much into something that’s no more than pure coincidence.”
“Um hmm.” Grandmama gave Lilli a knowing look accompanied by a conspiratorial smile.
“Have you other prospects in mind, dear?” Mama asked Papa.
“Not yet,” he grumbled.
