“Believe it, Father.” Catherine’s voice sounded.
Matthew was up and out of his chair in a second, turning to discover Catherine standing on the threshold of the study. “Catherine,” he said, bowing deeply before he rushed to take her hand to his lips. He didn’t let go of her hand when he straightened, though, his gaze searching her face for evidence she had changed her mind about them.
Cornelius was slower to rise, although he finally did so. “Novels?” he said, barely hiding the disdain in his voice.
“Yes, Father. The idea surprised me at first, too, but Lord Wingfield has the right of it. There is an entire audience out there who wants nothing more than the opportunity to read a book for pleasure rather than for education or philosophy.” She glanced at Matthew. “We could call it Wingfield and Kingston,” she added quietly.
“No,” he whispered. “Mayhap Kingston and Higby?” he ventured.
Catherine inhaled softly, her expression conveying surprise at hearing his suggestion.
Another scoff sounded from her father. “Well, you certainly wouldn’t be competing against any ofmyofferings,” he agreed. “So, if you’ll sign here, I’ll see to it you have Catherine’s dowry on the morrow. If you marry her by Christmas, I’ll add another hundred pounds.”
“What?” Catherine said in shock.
“Why?” Matthew asked.
“BecauseIwish to be married by the New Year,” Cornelius replied. “I’m tired of sneaking around to avoid gossip. When I host my next dinner party, I want to introduce Eliza as mywife.”
“Yes, sir,” Matthew said.
“Yes, Father,” Catherine agreed.
The two glanced at one another, and Matthew squeezed her hand. “Will you give me a moment to see to the contract?” he asked her. “We need to talk, and I have something for you.”
Catherine nodded. “I’ll have tea brought to the parlor.”
Matthew leaned towards her and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you,” he whispered.
Dipping her head, Catherine displayed a blush worthy of a new bride. “I love you, too.” She curtsied and took her leave of the study.
When he noticed Cornelius staring at him after her departure, Matthew shrugged. “I thank you for whatever it was you said to convince her to marry me, sir.”
Cornelius shook his head. “I didn’t say anything, actually,” he confessed. “She wouldn’t talk to me.”
“Oh?”
He shrugged. “She’s angry with me because I hired Mrs. Dove-Lyon to see to a suitable match for her.”
Matthew blinked. “Youhired Mrs. Dove-Lyon?” he asked in surprise. For a moment, he was left wondering if thematchmaker’s initial letter to him was more targeted than he had been left to believe after speaking with Titan.
But how would Mrs. Dove-Lyon have known he was a voracious reader? A perfect match for a bluestocking determined to live her life as a spinster?
Holding up a staying hand, Cornelius said, “Best you act as if you didn’t know,” he said in a quiet voice.
Nodding his understanding, Matthew took the contract from the desk and began reading. A few minutes later, he borrowed a quill from Cornelius and signed both copies of the document. After he shook hands with his future father-in-law, he made his way up the stairs to the parlor.
Although he felt some relief—he would no longer be in debt after he paid his outstanding bills during the coming week—he wouldn’t be happy until he had Catherine’s assurance she would marry him.
Assurance she would not lose her desire to start her own company. For as he climbed the stairs, Matthew felt excitement at the prospect of helping her start her new venture.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
One Ring, Two Lovers
A minute later in the Kingston House parlor
Seated on thefront edge of the velvet settee, Catherine stared at the flames in the fireplace. Her heart raced at the thought of what was happening in her father’s study one story below.
