“Reverend Keith,” replied Lewis, “is the last person on earth to begrudge someone happiness if they have a different parish in mind. Just because he has married the whole blessed lump of Munro noblemen does not mean he shares their superior notions.”
“But it is expected! You will make us look quite the fools if you are married by some village vicar whom no one has ever heard of.”
“Lady Howell has heard of him,” said Jillian.
“What?” Lady Bradford swung her gaze irritably toward Jilly.
“He was her vicar. The Trenton household attended his services. They no doubt still do. And she would be attending the wedding without question if it weren’t for her recent confinement.”
“Hmph. The viscount has always had some strange notions. His wife is no different. It seems they have rubbed off onto you.”
“Eat your soup, my dear,” instructed Lord Bradford. “It’s getting cold.”
The soup, despite being of high quality and truly tasty, was eaten in a tense silence. The plates were removed and the fish served.
During this time, another footman entered the room and, crossing the carpeted floor silently, whispered something in the butler’s ear. Giles frowned, indicated for the footman to stay in his place, and exited the door in a hurry.
“It seems you are determined to have your way, regardless of our feelings,” Lady Bradford said more quietly, poking at her mackerel in a desultory manner. Jillian wondered if the matriarch felt hurt as much as offended by the choice of venue.
She was tempted to reconsider her choice for the sake of better relations between them when Lord Bradford said blandly,“What does it matter, Regina? Philip at least will marry as he should.”
The weight of this statement quashed any further attempts at reconciliation. Jillian watched as Lewis bristled under the implications of the words. She felt powerless to help him. Anything she said in his defense would only antagonize his parents further. Anything said to soften the experience for his parents would seem an act of disloyalty to Lewis.
“I think a village wedding sounds wonderfully intimate,” said Miss Bradford out of the blue. “No stuffy pretense at joy, but the real thing instead. No soulless cake covered in marzipan and flowery loops like a thousand wedding cakes before it, but a one-of-a-kind creation made with a mother’s love. Attended by village folk who’ve known you all your life and who don’t need an invitation to turn up. I am quite inspired to get married so I may have a wedding exactly like that.”
“Do not tease on that subject, Penelope,” Lady Bradford said with an edge of bitterness. “You know it pains me that you refuse to take marriage seriously. But to taunt me with talk of you having a village wedding is too much. It would require you to marry into the working class. One such offspring is quite bad enough.” She sniffed and pulled a face. “I do not need more of my children lowering themselves in this way.”
It was very unfortunate that Miss Bradford’s well-intentioned speech had led to such a visceral response from her mother. More so because Lewis now reached his boiling point.
He thumped his fist on the table so hard that even his father jumped a little. “There isnothingwrong with hardworking folk who were not born into wealth! Ifyouwere half as decent as the phrase ‘upper class’ would suggest, youstillwouldn’t hold a candle to Miss Kinsey!”
“Now see here…” Lord Bradford began, but Lewis cut him off.
“No, Father,yousee. Miss Kinsey has come here as our guest. She has done nothing offensive since her arrival other than dare to be my betrothed and the daughter of a groundskeeper. Yet Mother has no qualms insulting her. It is disgraceful!”
Lewis was shaking now, anger roiling from him in waves. Jillian could only watch as he released thirty years of frustration in one fell swoop.
He pointed a furious finger at his father and mother in turn. “If you had spent but a moment trying to get to know her, you would have discovered what a blessed addition she is to our family. I now withdraw that offer. You don’t deserve her. We will marry in Ermenbrough, where there is love for the both of us. And I will attach myself to her family, where I am welcomed and appreciated.”
Lewis threw a quick glance at his sister. “I’m sorry, Pen. I don’t mean you. You are the best of sisters.” The corners of his mouth curled downward. “As for the rest of you…We will not darken your doorway again.”
Lewis stood up so quickly that his chair clattered to the floor.
At this precise moment, the butler returned. Giles observed the overturned chair, saw the thunder upon his master’s face, and decided to step out of harm’s way. He took position beside Lord Bradford’s seat, seeming to wait for an opportunity to speak to him when some measure of calm had been restored.
“Come, Jilly,” Lewis said, reaching out his arm and gesturing with his hand. “I have let you down. I thought my parents could see reason, but I was gravely mistaken. They have not been kind to you. I should never have let you endure such mistreatment. But it is done now. Here is the end of it.”
Jilly sat, mute with shock. She was grateful for Lewis’s protective nature, but this was not what she wanted—a family divided because of her.
“Lewis, I… Shouldn’t we… Let’s just catch our breath for a second,” she finally managed to say. “I do not want you to lose your family over some…”
“Of course you don’t,” Lord Bradford said sharply. “You want to keep your claws firmly on the Bradford money. But if he marries you, he shall be cut off. There you have it. Do you still want him so badly now?”
“I never wanted him for his money!” Jilly cried in horror. “IloveLewis. Which is why I want your family to remain intact. Surely, you would not force him to choose between us? That will only lead to more bitterness and resentment. Do you really hate me more than you love your son?”
The poor butler, who had, as all good servants do, tried to remain invisible throughout the confrontation, could wait no longer and was forced to bend down to his master’s ear and whisper an urgent message.
“What?” barked the baron. “The police, you say? What the devil do they want?”
