“I’m gentry,” Tristan admitted. “Though I dare say the tenant farmers working my family’s land are better off financially than I am.”
“Of course.” Lilli struggled to contain her laughter. “It all makes perfect sense now.”
“It does?” asked Tristan, Henry, and Papa in unison.
“Naturally.” She cleared her throat and began to explain. “Tristan, Mr. Henley, that is was likely forced to seek work in order to make ends meet at home. But since Henry wouldn’t have hired a gentleman to be his servant and taking on such a position would have brought shame to his family, Mr. Henley chose not to mention the fact.”
“So you’re not angry with me for concealing my heritage?” Tristan carefully asked with a hint of skepticism.
“Only in the sense that it has delayed a positive outcome for us but otherwise no. I understand your reasoning and the duty compelling you to protect your family’s reputation. And the truth is, it doesn’t change who you really are or the fact that you love me. Does it?”
“Not in the least.” A slight crack in his voice revealed his emotion.
“Don’t ever deceive me again though,” Lilli told him firmly. “Or the next time you go for a walk you’ll likely find yourself knee deep in one ofmyholes.”
Tristan’s features relaxed into a grin that felt like summer in the middle of winter.
“I’m not sure what the two of you are going on about now,” Papa said, his crisp voice ruining the levity of the moment, “but I would like to know how Mr. Henley, who’s just declared himself a penniless liar, hopes to acquire my blessing.”
Bolstered by Lilli’s support – her undeniable faith in him – Tristan began to explain. He left nothing out as he detailed his father’s poor handling of the family finances and the deal Tristan had struck with him. When he finished he said, “It is imperative you believe me when I say that the need I have for your daughter’s dowry has no bearing on how I feel about her. I love her to distraction, my lord.”
“On that score I have no doubt,” Stratham said while studying Tristan in a manner that made him feel like squirming. “It shows in every aspect of your being. What concerns me is the lack of evidence I have regarding your ability to run an estate and grow the investments you mean to make. You’ve no experience in that regard.”
“Correct,” Tristan said. The hope he’d harbored a short while ago began to slip from his grasp. “Failure isn’t an option, however. Not when my family’s future depends upon my success.”
The earl was silent a moment. Tristan’s heart raced.
“You were pleased with Mr. Henley’s performance while he was in your employ, were you not?” Stratham eventually asked his son while studying Tristan thoughtfully.
“Very much so,” Henry said.
“He was hard working, dependable, and thorough?”
“Without fail.”
“Here is my proposal then,” Stratham said, his businesslike manner sending a new jolt of confidence through Tristan’s veins. “I shall be assessing and advising you over the course of the next year. You’ll make no decisions involving Lilliana’s dowry without my approval. Furthermore, she shall always have an equal say in how the funds are spent. I’ll want all of this in writing.”
“Agreed,” Tristan said, his pulse leaping with the knowledge that Stratham was already in the process of outlining the marriage contract.
“Once the year is up,” Stratham continued, “I’ll review your abilities. If you live up to my expectations, I’ll step aside and let the two of you manage things on your own. But if you don’t, I’ll continue keeping watch until the next year is up, and so on.”
“So then,” Lilli began, her gaze darting back and forth between Tristan and her father. “Does that mean–”
“Yes, yes. You can have him if that’s what you truly–”
Her squeal drowned out the remainder of Stratham’s words as she flung herself into Tristan’s arms and kissed him, right there in the middle of her father’s study. It was unthinkable, the lack of propriety absolutely unquestionable, yet so very perfect and necessary.
Her lips were warm and soft, inviting and a treat best saved for later when they were alone. He eased her away and told her father, “I’ll have to return home immediately if I’m to stop my sister from marrying Shrewsberry.”
“Henry and I will escort you,” Stratham announced. “Our presence ought to encourage your father to follow through on his promise.”
“Agreed,” Henry said. “But before we depart we probably ought to celebrate Tristan’s betrothal to Lilli in style. If I may, I’d like to suggest a champagne toast in the parlor or it’s unlikely Mama and Grandmama will ever forgive us.”
“You’re right,” Stratham said. “A quick drink and then we’ll be off.”
He led the way from the study with Henry immediately behind him while Tristan and Lilli took up the rear. Tristan caught Lilli’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Happy?”
“Unquestionably so,” she whispered and drew him into an alcove for a much more smoldering kiss than the one they’d enjoyed in the study. It fairly lit Tristan’s soul on fire and made him forget time and place for a second. Sweeping his arm around her, he held her while letting her passion consume him.
