Page 98 of A Symphony for the Earl

Valentina looked pale. “Denys is here? But he was to wait until tomorrow—” She broke off, covering her mouth hastily.

Putting his napkin aside, he regarded his sister with curiosity. “Oh, was he? What’s afoot, Valentina?”

“Oh, my…is it near ten already? I promised to help Octavia with her French.” Without another word, Valentina hurried off, the skirts of her azure morning gown swishing as she exited.

“I’ll meet with Denys, then go directly to your father, Fiona.”

“Richard, please be careful what you say, and do not challenge him,” she begged. “He can be so very stubborn.”

He smiled. “That may be true, but I have a trump card. He loves you dearly and only wants your happiness.”

“Are you sure I shouldn’t go with you?”

“No, my dear,” he said gently. “I acted rashly yesterday. The task to repair things is mine alone.”

When Richard entered his study, Denys waited by the window.

“Have you come to enquire about Rafferty’s visit? I intended to send you a note later. He has not given his blessing yet, but I am meeting with him directly after this to discuss the matter.”

“That’s good to hear, Richard. I was concerned that you two might have quarreled.”

“We did. He accused me of taking advantage of my guardianship, and it stung because it’s true. Then I reacted badly and called off the engagement. Things did not end well.”

“What? Are you serious? You cried off?”

“Unfortunately, I did. And I have my work cut out to mend the breach, I fear. I wish I had listened to you sooner, Denys, and revealed my true feelings for Fiona. She and I have been at cross purposes since she arrived, each fighting our mutual attraction. But we are determined to marry now. I love her, and she returns that love, to my immense relief.”

“That is good news indeed,” Denys said, taking a turn about the room.

Puzzled, Richard took a comfortable chair and waited for him to settle. He was pressed for time to make his appointment with Gerald Rafferty at noon, but there was obviously something important behind Denys’s visit.

“Please sit, Denys. Can I ring for some coffee or tea?”

“No, thank you, and I prefer to stand. Despite this dilemma with Mr. Rafferty, you seem happy. I’m glad for you, Richard. But there’s an entirely different subject I need to speak to you about.” He took another restless walk across the room and paused in front of the window, removing his gloves and twisting them in his hands. “I haven’t told you yet, in light of Rafferty’s return, but I’ve had significant news. Do you remember my Uncle Niles, who was involved in the founding of the East India Company?”

“Vaguely. You never had much to do with him. He was immersed in the trade business as I recall.”

“He was well into his sixties and just passed away. As it turns out, I am his closest living male relative. My uncle bequeathed me his assets in the East India Company, with the addition of a modest inheritance.” He put a hand up to stay Richard, who would have risen to congratulate him, and set his gloves on the corner of the desk.

“Let me continue, or I shall lose courage entirely. Richard, I—this change in my circumstances, and the completion of repairs on his estate in Lincolnshire, have encouraged me—emboldened me, I should say, to ask for Valentina’s hand in marriage.”

Richard sat back slowly. He had wondered if Denys’s affection lay in that direction but far underestimated the seriousness of the matter. Silently, he studied the gold signet ring on his right hand and thought carefully about how to answer. Denys reached up to loosen his cravat as if it were choking him.

“And is my sister of the same mind regarding marriage?” he asked, although he already knew the answer.

“Yes. I asked Valentina’s permission to address you as soon as I got news of my uncle’s death. We love each other, Richard. I know it is not what you hoped for in a match. God knows she is worthy of far more than I can offer. But wouldn’t you rather have her married to someone she loves than unhappy in some arranged marriage? I swear if there were anyone else she cared for, I would stand off. I stayed quiet when it looked like Atterbury might propose—she deserves that and more. But when she confessed she might marry him because she thought herself a burden to you, I could no longer remain silent.”

Richard frowned. “Valentina said that?”

“Yes, she did. And it broke my heart to see her settle for less than love. I am no viscount, but we will be comfortable, and—”

With a sigh, he stood and extended his hand, wondering if love had made him an imbecile. “Best devote yourself to a lifetime of happiness then, for there is no sweeter, more generous woman on this earth.”

Denys’s radiant smile lit the room, and it made up for not finding Valentina a title. But if he was defying custom to marry outside the box, who was he to deny the same to a cherished sister?

“Richard! Does that mean you—you are saying yes?”

He nodded and Denys grasped his outstretched hand, pumping it enthusiastically.