“I only wish I could say I was re-entering your lives under happier circumstances.”
“Yes. I was most displeased when I heard what had happened,” Lord Keenward said. “Of course, I don’t blame you, Your Grace. Madeleine told me the circumstances. You were trying to defend her honor, and I appreciate that you stepped in. Unfortunately, it only seems to have made matters worse.”
“Well, I’ve come here to offer a proposal of marriage,” Thomas said. “If you and Lady Madeleine will accept, I would like to marry her. It seems wrong that she should pay the price for all this.”
“I’m very pleased to hear you say that,” Lord Keenward said. “I had hoped you would be a proper gentleman about this, Your Grace. It’s wonderful to see that you’re not willing to see Madeleine’s life ruined.”
“No, it’s not a fair price for her to pay,” Thomas agreed. “Neither one of us did anything wrong, but I can see how society is determined to blame her for everything regardless. I’d happily marry her if you think that’s the best solution.”
“I do,” Lord Keenward said. “Do you have the contracts?”
“Well, before we move on to that part of the agreement, I’d like to speak to Lady Madeleine if I could,” Thomas said.
Lord Keenward hesitated. “Is that really necessary?”
“Is there some reason you don’t want her to talk to me?”
“It’s not that I want to stop you talking to one another,” Lord Keenward said quickly. “I just think this might be a decision best made among gentlemen. You and I have decided on the best course of action, so maybe we ought to move forward and just let her know what we’ve come up with once all the details are in place.”
“Don’t you think she would want to be a part of the discussion?”
“I’m just not sure it’s the best idea.”
Thomas was growing suspicious. “Do you think Lady Madeleine wouldn’t wish to marry me, Lord Keenward?”
“I think my niece doesn’t always know what’s best for her,” Lord Keenward said. “And she can be unpredictable. It’s not that I think she would refuse you. It’s more that I know this marriage is the best thing for her, and I’d like to proceed with the arrangements. I can certainly arrange for you to spend time together once everything is set.”
Thomas shook his head. “I’m happy to marry Lady Madeleine,” he said. “But I’m not going to force marriage upon a lady who doesn’t want one. I need to speak to her before we go any further so I can be sure that this is what she wants. I won’t be signing anything until we’ve done that.”
Lord Keenward sighed. “If you really insist…”
“I do,” Thomas said.
“I can get her for you, then.”
“Thank you.”
Lord Keenward rose to his feet. “Just know that Madeleine is still very shaken by what happened at the ball last night,” he said. “You won’t be getting her at her best right now. I understand that you want to speak to her, but she’s upset. She’s disappointed…that was supposed to be the occasion of her coming out, and instead, it turned into a nightmare for her.”
“I understand,” Thomas said. “It’s important to me to speak to her, but I understand that you don’t want to see her overwhelmed. I’ll handle this carefully.”
“I do appreciate you coming here,” Lord Keenward said. “I know that you didn’t have to. This proves to me that you are the gentleman I thought you were. And although I have never regretted it, I am very glad we saved your life four years ago.”
Thomas managed a smile. “I’m certainly glad of that, too,” he said.
“Wait here,” Lord Keenward suggested. “I’ll go and fetch Madeleine.”
He left the sitting room, and Thomas was on his own.
Well, that went as well as could have been expected.Thomas was thankful that Lord Keenward hadn’t been angry with him at all, hadn’t blamed him for the misfortune of last night. He knew it would have been easy for Lord Keenward to want nothing to do with him at all or even to demand retribution. And aside from that, he had been feeling guilty. These were the people who had saved his life, after all, and just look at all he had put them through.
Lord Keenward made him feel as though it really wasn’t his fault, and that was a good thing.
But what would Lady Madeleine say when he saw her?
He was both anticipating and dreading the moment she would walk into the room. How was she going to respond to him?
What Lord Keenward had said had definitely put him on the alert. It sounded as if he didn’t think Lady Madeleine would be happy to see Thomas. Maybeshewas angry about what had happened. Perhaps she would try to order him to leave.
