“Of course! See that Mr. Roberts walks behind you!” Marjorie called, remembering that this was not the sanctuary of their country estate but rather the often perilous city.
“Now, My Lord. What was it you needed to say to me?” she asked, turning back to the earl.
Evan seemed suddenly at a loss for words as he mulled over his statement. He looked at her, taking note of the confusion on her face, and nearly faltered.
“My Lady, I had not planned that we would see each other this morning, so I’m dismayed to find that I know not what to say… only that I wish to speak to you,” he began. As inspiration struck, Evan hurried across the foyer to a small desk and opened its drawers one by one. “I do remember, though, that you did not receive your wages or your purse for the race on the night of your accident.”
“Oh, My Lord! You needn’t trouble yourself with anything like that,” Marjorie replied earnestly. “I’m sure I’ve brought you far more trouble than profit! Between my own antics and my father’s actions, we’ve been nothing but a proverbial thorn in your side.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth, My Lady,” he insisted, bringing a small purse and pressing it into her hands. “This is not only what is owed to you, but also a token of my gratitude for both coming forward to clear my name and for alerting others to the fire in the first place. Then again, you also are the sole reason that Donohue was not taken from us that night. He lives because of your actions and very nearly the sacrifice of your own life.”
Marjorie noted the weight of the purse that fell into her hand and she was at once unable to respond. Finally, she shook her head, holding out her hand to the Earl to take it back.
“I cannot accept this! It is too much, My Lord. I did nothing to earn it and I cannot inconvenience you in this way!” she insisted, but the Earl playfully took a step backwards, raising his hands and refusing the purse.
“Do not make me run around this room like a boy afraid of a whipping from his schoolmaster! The space is too small and I fear that I may trip!” he teased.
“My Lord, please,” Marjorie insisted again, not taking the bait. “This is but charity, nothing more. I cannot accept it.”
“It is most certainly not charity! As I said, you earned it rightfully. Some of it is even the winnings you earned in the race! It would be nothing less than theft for me to accept it, and I believe there are enough accusations against me at the present. Please, spare me the additional charges and accept what is yours!”
Marjorie hesitated, but eventually she nodded. “I thank you for doing the honorable thing then. Please know that—if it eases your conscience in anyway—I will put it aside for my sister’s dowry since she has none.”
“Ah, yes. The fateful discussion of marriage. That is always lingering over any young lady’s head like the threat of death, is it not?” Evan replied sagely, all hint of humor gone now.
“Sadly, yes. That is true.”
“My Lady Marjorie, that is actually what I wished to discuss with you when I bade you remain here a moment,” Evan said, his words failing him for a moment.
“But we’ve already addressed the matter,” Marjorie argued. “My sister, although she did not show it well, is grateful to you for wanting to protect her from ruin but she does not wish to be married at this time. I will be sure to let you know if that should change or if her situation should become dire, but My Lord, you do not—”
“Oh, I was not referring to Lady Harriet,” Evan interrupted, finally understanding Marjorie’s meaning. “But rather… I was inquiring about your marriage prospects.”
Marjorie was quiet, feeling the sting of sudden shame that he should ask her about such a personal subject. After all they’d discussed this morning, though, she knew it was not intended to be hurtful.
“Well, My Lord, as I’m sure the entire ton has already learned, the Duke of Fenworth has cancelled our engagement. I know not why, but even if I did, I would not put myself in a position to discuss the matter with those outside of our families. The Duke and I both deserve better than to be the topic of conversation.”
“Oh no! Lady Marjorie, that is not what I meant at all!” Evan replied, responding to her perceived insult. “In fact, I’m rather surprised you do not know the reason. Did he not speak to you?”
“No, My Lord. But to be honest and fair to the Duke, I was laid up in the bed at your house when he made the decision,” she replied with a hint of mirth.
“Lady Marjorie, the Duke’s decision is only one of compassion for you and your sister. When he learned of your father’s recent behavior, he felt that you were only accepting of his proposal in order to protect yourself.” Evan looked at Marjorie and noted how skeptical she seemed. “I assure you, he said as much to me personally. The Duke knew that you were not overly eager for the match, but only acquiesced for the sake of your family and your fortune. He bears you no ill will and feels no shame at it.”
“Oh. I see,” Marjorie said plainly. “That does make me feel somewhat relieved to know the cause. Thank you. But… but then what marriage prospects are you referring to?”
It was Evan’s turn to quietly weigh his next words. Eventually, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I was quite hoping you might consider an offer… from me.”
“You, My Lord? The man whose stables I ran around in dressed as an escaped convict?” she said, laughing. The Earl joined her laughter, but she added somberly, “But My Lord, are you not already promised to another young lady?”
“For the love of grassy hills, has everyone in the ton heard that?!” he roared before laughing. “First my mother sends me the most heart-wrenching letter to inform me I’ve betrayed her by not consulting her in the matter, and now I’m trying to propose marriage to a woman I genuinely admire and long for, but she’s also heard this vicious lie?”
“So it is not true, then?”
“Of course it’s not true! How would I be proposing marriage if I were already spoken for?” Evan said, still astonished by the question. “Pray, who is this young bride of mine? Is she fair of face? Does she come from a good family? Please, only share with me the first letter of her name so that I might cry into my pillow with longing! Is it A? E, perhaps?”
Marjorie laughed at his outburst, but shook her head. “I would be no better than those who spread these vile rumors if I were to let slip that Lady Catherine Howard… oh dear, I seem to have said it anyway!”
“What? That harpy!” Evan shot back. “Why, if she were to come to my stables for employment the way you did, the only position she’d be able to secure is that of a plow horse!”
