He handed Emily the note on which he’d made his calculations. She glanced at it while doing her best not to look too shocked. It truly was a large sum.
Intent on staying optimistic, she sent Callum and his friends a reassuring smile before addressing her father. “Papa. A word in private, if you will?”
The earl followed her off to one side. “The pensive gleam in your eyes is making me nervous, Emily. What are you thinking?”
“I want to use my dowry.”
Papa’s face blanched. “Absolutely not.”
“Listen to me, Papa. This terrible blunder is my doing. I caused this and now I have to do what I can to atone. It’s only fair.”
“I don’t like it.” Papa crossed his arms. “Your dowry is intended to give you security, Emily.”
“Most of it still will. I’ll only be using a very small portion.”
Papa knit his brow. “I’d rather cover the cost myself and leave your dowry alone.”
“As generous as that is and as grateful as I am to you for the offer, it would not be the same.” Emily glanced in Callum’s direction. “Since I am the one to blame for what happened, I must be the one who pays the price.”
“You know, there’s no guarantee the book will make enough money to make up for this expense.” Papa’s voice was somber. “It might be cheaper to leave the review as is.”
“Perhaps, but that doesn’t help me make amends. I need to do this. Plus, having read part of the book, I actually do believe it will do quite well if enough people buy it. Ensuring its success will also help the next book they write.”
“They’re planning another?”
“I believe so. Yes.” She took a deep breath and expelled it. “Papa, you must help me with this. Please. It’s not just about the book. It’s also about ensuring that I have a positive start to my marriage. This is extremely important to me. It would mean a great deal if you’d lend your assistance.”
Papa sighed. “Very well, Emily. I will support you in this if it’s what you desire.”
Forgetting they were in a public setting, Emily wound her arms around her father and hugged him. “Thank you.”
Papa murmured something beneath his breath and Emily withdrew. She crossed to where Callum and his friends waited together with Mr. Loughton.
“Corwin, if you can please proceed as we discussed, I’ll pay to have the page pulled and replaced.”
17
“I’ll come with you,” Anthony told Brody. The two men gave every assurance they would return as quickly as possible, then left.
Callum stared at Emily. “Are you mad?”
The sum Mr. Loughton had quoted was greater than he’d expected.
“No.” Emily gazed at him with just as much heartache as he had endured when he’d realized the words he’d written would surely hurt her. “I simply recognize my mistake and know I have no choice but to do this. I’ll never forgive myself otherwise, and will always worry you can’t forgive me either.”
“Emily.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I made my own mistake so of course I’ll forgive you. Especially since your actions were a direct result of my own.”
“Possibly, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is much worse than what you did.”
“Knowing how much I hurt you, I have to disagree.”
“Nevertheless, I have the chance to make it right and it’s a chance I’m going to take.”
“I still don’t understand how.” Callum glanced at the earl. “Is your father loaning the money?”
“In a sense. He’ll give Mr. Loughton a cheque to guarantee payment and withdraw the sum from my dowry.”
“You’re using your dowry for this?” Callum could scarcely believe it. That money was meant to provide for her in case he failed to do so. That had been his agreement with her father, that the contract should be written in such a way she would retain sole right to the funds she brought to the marriage. “Emily, I cannot in good conscience let you do so.”
