There were heavy shadows under her eyes, her hair was a little wild and falling out of its updo. The gown — as beautifully as it had suited her the night before — was just as fine today though she had plainly pulled at the sleeves and skirt in stress.
“Have you slept?” he asked with concern.
“No.” She shook her head.
“My daughter needs to understand what she has?—”
“I am speaking to Frederica now, Lord Campbell.” Allan cut the Earl off. He was very aware how rude he was being, but he hardly cared. He had to take control of this situation if it meant stopping this scene before it could get any worse. “Clearly, you have had a chance to yell at her all night. You can wait a few minutes, can you not?”
Lord Campbell looked so flustered that he didn’t know what to say. He attempted to stand tall, pushing out his rounded stomach. The effect was as if he were a heavily stuffed animal who had been taken to a taxidermist.
“Lady Frederica.” Allan cleared his throat and turned to speak to her, being careful to use her title as he didn’t think her parents would appreciate it if he used any sort of informality now. “After what has happened last night, I must act.”
“Act?” she repeated in alarm.
“Yes. I am content to obtain a special license so that the ceremony can take place as soon as possible.”
He spoke quickly, determined to discuss the particulars and have it over and done with as soon as possible. “If all goes according to plan, then it could take place within a week. It shall have to be a small affair, of course, but that should mitigate much disaster that could incur from the speculation in the scandal sheets. In fact, if we can announce the betrothal as soon as possible, that will help stop speculation too.”
“Wait,” Frederica said, stepping toward him. “Lord Padleigh, are you asking me to marry you?”
“Didn’t I say?” He blinked, hardly remembering what words he had said. It was obvious, wasn’t it? It was their only path forward now.
Yet the way she looked at him, those pretty blue eyes staring up at him, he paused, not answering her question right away.
If years ago, he had told himself he would someday be offering marriage to Frederica, he wouldn’t have believed it. She had been so quiet and mild in manner at the time; he didn’t think there was any partiality on her side toward him.All he had ever noticed was that she was pretty, and he had given no more thought to the matter. He cleared his throat and tried again.
“As long as I have your father’s blessing?” He looked toward Lord Campbell, who was already nodding very fast indeed with his wife at his side who was offering another ingratiating curtsey.
“Of course,” Lord Campbell gushed. “We would be delighted to offer our blessing, would we not, dear?”
“Yes, yes, indeed,” Lady Campbell seconded. “What a happy family we shall all make together.”
“Yes, very happy,” Lord Campbell said with a giggle, as if no scandal had happened at all.
“The arrangements shall have to be made quickly, of course,” Lady Campbell was saying to her husband.
“Yes, yes, we can see to all of that.”
Allan ignored their stream of conversation. He was staring at Frederica. He was very aware about something as those pretty eyes looked back at him. They were rather like aquamarine stones in this light. They were delicate, soft, and endearing.
He blinked hard, trying to stop the power those eyes had over him.
She hasn’t given me her answer.
CHAPTERSIX
“We must make the arrangements at once.” Already, Lord Campbell was eager. “I’ll write to the local reverend. We’ll see if they can host us next Saturday.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Allan spoke firmly across the room, as assertively as he could possibly make his voice. “I’ll handle the arrangements.”
The more he spoke, not shifting his gaze from Frederica, the more he saw the shock in her expression.
“I shall take my leave of you now. Lord Campbell, I shall write to you concerning the arrangements.” He inclined his head to Lord and Lady Campbell.
Had he not been so dispirited, his gut tightening at the fact Frederica had said absolutely nothing, he might have laughed at the ridiculous way in which Lord and Lady Campbell bowed and curtsied. This time, they both went so deep that they had to reach out to catch one another’s hands so that they did not fall over.
“Perhaps Lady Frederica could escort me out.” The words were out of Allan’s mouth before he had really thought them through. It didn’t really matter to him if her parents thought it inappropriate for them to be alone together again — he had to speak to her.
