“Just tell me it meant something to you.”
How could she possibly find the courage to do so when it felt as though her world was ending?
Impossible. Stratton demanded too much.
She shook her head. “I think you’re making too much of this.”
He stiffened slightly beneath her touch. “Of course. How foolish of me.”
She wished she were able to say something more but they’d reached Grandpapa now, denying her the chance.
If only Stratton had waited for a more suitable time to broach the subject. Now she was left feeling like she’d betrayed him somehow.
Emily huffed a breath and followed her grandfather into the bedchamber where her grandmother lay. The curtains had been drawn to let light in and a window stood open to allow for fresh air to enter the space. Swallowing hard, Emily let go of Stratton’s arm and approached the bed.
It was in many ways harder today than it had been the day before. Time had passed in the meantime, bringing her grandmother closer to death. Emily’s throat tightened and her eyes began to sting when she saw the difference twelve hours had made. Her grandmother seemed a lot wearier now, as though she found life too exhausting and longed for a rest.
Emily took her hand and lowered herself to the edge of the bed. “I’ve returned, and I’ve brought the Duke of Stratton with me. Grandmama, I’d like for you to meet my suitor.”
Her words were so raspy, Emily wondered if her grandmother could understand what she said. A handkerchief materialized before Emily’s eyes and when she glanced up, she saw that it was Stratton who’d come to her aid. What stunned her though, was that his eyes glistened as though he too were struggling to keep his emotions at bay.
“Thank you.” Emily took the handkerchief from him and dabbed at her eyes.
Grandmama’s pale blue eyes found the duke. “A…pleasure. Emily did say…but I didn’t…believe her. You’re not…you’re not…didn’t think you the marrying sort.”
Stratton placed one hand on Emily’s shoulder. When he spoke, his voice was so soft and tender it made Emily weep even harder. “I wasn’t until I met your granddaughter. That is, she and I met many years ago, but our encounters with one another weren’t the best. It took time, years in fact, before the chance to get to know each other properly presented itself. Having spent more time in her company these past two weeks, I’ve grown to appreciate how incredible Lady Emily is. In truth, she’s the most remarkable woman of my acquaintance.”
Emily struggled to breathe on the heels of this speech. Her heart was thumping madly against her breast. Goodness, the man played the part of smitten beau well. She almost worried she might be in danger of swooning.
“When…will you…marry?” Grandmama asked.
A startled laugh rose from Emily’s throat. “Goodness gracious, Grandmama. We’ve only been courting a short while. I’ve yet to receive a proposal.”
Her comment seemed to remove what little energy Grandmama had been able to put on display. “My…dearest…wish… See you married.”
“And I shall be,” Emily told her while tears streamed down her cheeks. “I promise.”
Grandmama shifted her gaze to Stratton. “Can you…give the same…assurance?”
“Of course,” Stratton said without hesitation. “Allow me to put you completely at ease, Lady Seaton.”
Emily breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn’t sure how she would ever thank him for what he was doing for her today. It was beyond kind. She caught his gaze in the hope of imparting her gratitude, and was stunned when he lowered himself to one knee before her.
“Oh my,” Grandpapa murmured.
“What are you doing?” Emily asked. It seemed obvious, but she simply couldn’t believe it. This wasn’t part of the plan.
Stratton carefully took her free hand while holding her gaze. “I see no reason to wait any longer. Not when these past two weeks spent with you have given me so much joy. Your kindness is unmatched by any other, your companionship so delightful I cannot imagine living without it. I want you in my life, Emily. As my wife and duchess. If you will have me.”
“I…” Emily stared at him, at the sincerity burning in his eyes. It was confounding and had the effect of making her mind go blank. All she knew in that instant was him. And yet, what he was asking was no small thing.
Get a hold of yourself.
It’s all part of the act.
“This is the part…where you say, ‘yes’,” Grandmama rasped.
Emily blinked while a thousand thoughts sped through her mind. She’d come here to make sure her grandmother died with the peace of knowing that one of her grandchildren would get married. It was never her intention to pretend she and Stratton were engaged. By getting down on bended knee, he was forcing her hand. How could she refuse without letting Grandmama down?
