Page 40 of Her Summer Duke

“My sweet, sweet Lady Margaret. Are you alright my dearest?”

She stared at him through the veil of her tears. Unbelieving. “But your ship, your ship was wrecked and everyone is likely drowned.”

He put his hand softly to her cheek.

“Sadly yes, the ship that was mine is wrecked, but I have just come from the scene – all of the crew have survived, and her new Captain. But I did not sail with her, and will not, again, on any ship, although my investment in the business will remain. But my life has taken a new and unexpected turn. I had planned to come to you today, as myself, Lord Adam Halstone, to beg that you accept my proposal, that you do me the honour of becoming my wife – and that is still what I wish, for I cannot imagine a life without you, my love. But, where you once thought me an Ensign, a man barely in a position to support a wife of quality, and then you knew me to be a Captain, by my admission in my letter, and a man of reasonable stature, you find me now, today, different again.”

She looked at him, those green eyes glistening with the remains of the tears, and her expression full of confusion.

“I do not understand? What do you mean, you are different again? I love you, there is no question of that, but your words… have you deceived me further? For I do not think that I could bear that with any equanimity.”

Adam lifted her hand and kissed it, shaking his head.

“No, my dear, there is no further deceit, but what I am about to say will come as somewhat of a shock to you. If, once you hear it, you do not choose to make me the happiest of men, I will understand, but I hope… I most desperately hope…”

“Tell me – whatever it is, I must know, and know now.”

All the while, the older woman sat quietly there, still with her arm around Lady Margaret’s shoulders, avidly listening to their conversation. Adam ignored her.

He swallowed. These words were hard to say, for he was not yet used to the concept himself – but he had to tell her, and tell her now, for he would not have her accept him without knowing the full truth of the situation.

There would be no deception – ever again, with this woman.

“Lady Margaret, some weeks ago, my father and my brother were in a terrible carriage accident. I have been receiving letters, almost daily, from my mother, keeping me apprised of the situation, as I worked to relieve myself of my position as Captain, and do all that was required for my business to continue. Within a few days of the accident, my father succumbed to his injuries. I did not even hear of it until after his funeral. My brother held on longer, but in the end, despite the best efforts of my mother, and the physicians, he too lost his battle to survive.”

“Oh! How terribly sad…”

She reached out, as if unaware that she did so, and took his hand. He tightened his fingers on hers, and continued.

“And that fact means that I am, now, the Duke of Milbrook. My life is forever changed, and I bear a title that I never expected to bear. I must away to Milbrook Park, to see my brother buried, and to take up my new responsibilities.” She gasped, as did the Lady beside her, and her fingers tightened on his, the pressure intense as she absorbed what he had said. Then he asked the most important question of his life. “My Lady, it is my fondest wish that you might honour me by accompanying me, on this journey into a life I never expected, as my Duchess. Can you… will you…”

She stilled, her eyes wide, then a smile slowly transformed her face.

“Oh yes, my dear Captain Halstone, I mean, Your Grace... I am yours, always and forever. No matter what role or title you bear – it is our love that matters most.”

The woman with Lady Margaret spoke for the first time, her voice hesitant.

“That is wonderful, truly wonderful, and so romantic. But… given your recent bereavements, Your Grace, are you not in deep mourning – as your sombrely coloured attire would suggest? And does that not preclude marriage, at this time?”

Adam swallowed, feeling a moment of fear – would she agree to what he was about to ask, to flouting society’s rules?

“Normally, you would be correct, Lady…?”

“Peabody. Lady Peabody, Your Grace.”

“Yes, Lady Peabody, you are correct. That is what society would expect. But I dare to ask that you, Lady Margaret, consider doing something rather outlandish, and agreeing to a quiet wedding, even though I am in mourning. For I would rather face society’s disapprobation about that, than go forward without you by my side…”

She looked at him, her smile never wavering.

“Yes. Yes, I will agree to that, for I cannot bear the thought of being apart from you any longer than I must – we have been apart far too long already. I will be happy with the smallest wedding, and to spend the next year in mourning by your side. There will be time after that for whatever we might wish to do, in a more joyous manner.”

Lady Peabody was, by this point, almost bouncing where she sat. “Come, let us go back to the hotel and announce to Lady Mantrell that you are to be married.”

Adam stood, and pulled Lady Margaret to her feet beside him.

“Lady Mantrell?”

“My guardian…”