Silently he again mouthed, “Marry me.”
She shook her head and once again turned her attention back to Crispin’s uncle. The next pea hit on the table in front of her, and unfortunately Lady Fieldingham saw it land too. That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Seth grimaced innocently, peering up and down the length of table as if he was trying to find out who in the world would be so brash and ill-mannered to have done such an inappropriate thing as throw a pea at the duke’s dinner table. He leaned forward, paying close attention to Fallon and Heron as if to ascertain if the offending object could have come from one of them. Both lads had their hands in their laps and were staring at Mr. Nash. No one could accuse his little gentlemen of tossing the pea. Deciding not to test his luck further, he slid the last pea into his coat pocket.
After desserts were served, and conversations were waning, Seth knew it was time to give his tribute to his host and hostess and while doing so, convince Lillian to marry him.
He rose, pushed his chair back, and took a step away from the table. After giving an appropriate toast of appreciation to Crispin, he turned to Gwen and said, “Duchess, the first time I met your sister, Miss Prim, she hit me in the face with a ball of snow.”
Gasps sounded around the table, none louder than Lillian’s. It was rather bold of him to admit that to anyone at any time, let alone to more than twenty people sitting around the Duke’s Christmas dinner table. But making Lillian see that Seth loved her and that they were meant to be together were the only things that mattered.
“And it was right on his nose,” Fallon piped up and said, then followed it by a snicker. Muffled laughter followed from almost everyone in the room, including the servants.
“Thank you for adding that unnecessary bit of information.” He smiled at his nephew. “On that same day Miss Prim issued me a challenge. I accepted the challenge. Now, with your permission, Duchess, I would like to issue a challenge to your sister.”
Gwen quickly looked down the table to Lillian. Thankfully, Lillian didn’t shake her head, so Gwen nodded for him to proceed.
Now that the time had come, Seth realized his plan had more risk than he’d allowed himself to believe. But perhaps there was something to the old adageThere can’t be great reward without great risk.
“The challenge is this, Miss Prim. If I can make two of your dreams come true right now, you will agree to marry me.”
“Marry you?” She rose from her chair. “What are you saying? I’ve told you why we wouldn’t suit. And, and furthermore, this is neither the time nor the place for this conversation, my lord.”
There were mumblings around the table. Some agreeing with him and some with Lillian, but Seth paid them no mind. His attention was on Lillian. “Christmas dinner with family and friends is the perfect time for me to announce to all that I love you.” Lillian gasped again, but he continued. “I want to marry you. So tell me, Miss Prim, are you are backing down and refusing to accept my challenge?”
Her distraught gaze swept from one sister’s face to another as if surely one of them would stand up and tell her what to say. They all remained quiet, and watchful. Finally she turned her attention back to him and stated, “I don’t know how you can know what my dreams are.”
“I know,” he said softly. “Accept my challenge. If I don’t get them right, I’ll leave Hurst at daybreak.”
Her silence continued longer than he expected. What else could he say? If she denied him now, he would have to leave at first light. Without her. Seth sucked in a cold breath.
“Accept it,” one of the gentlemen at the table mumbled.
“You have nothing to lose,” another said.
“Go ahead,” a feminine voice whispered. “Say yes!”
Then as if they had planned it with him, her four sisters rose from their chairs and together said, “Say yes!”
Lillian remained tentative but said, “All right. Yes, my lord, I-I accept your challenge.”
Seth let out his deep breath. He couldn’t believe she had made him wait so long. He walked over to a footman who had just entered the dining room and took a long, narrow leather case from him. He strode over to Lillian.
Holding it out to her, he said, “Open it. I’ll hold it for you.”
She stared down, and unfastened three buckles, opened the case, and took out a telescope. Her eyes softened.
“You told me you enjoy watching the stars. Marry me, Miss Prim, and come watch the stars with me.” He dropped the empty case to the floor and, reaching into his coat pocket, pulled out two slips of paper. He handed them to her. “Passenger tickets for the fastest steamship that sails across the Atlantic. Marry me, Miss Prim, and come sail the seas with me.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “You remembered what I said.”
With all the love he was feeling, he said, “I remember everything you’ve said.”
“I can’t believe you are doing this here, now.”
“You left me no choice.” His voice lowered. “You must know doing all this wasn’t easy for a serious-minded person like myself, to propose in front of more than twenty people. I had to prove to you I know how to compromise. Marry me?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I pledge my love to you and I will marry you.”
