Anthony straightened his back even further.
“As a matter of fact, yes, I have. Cecilia will never want for anything at all, for I shall supply her with a generous allowance once she is old enough.”
“And as for the matter of marriage,” he scoffed, “Any so-called gentleman who hesitates or refuses to marry my sister solely because ofmychoice of spouse—which ismybusiness and has absolutely nothing to do with him—then he is clearly undeserving of Cecilia.”
“If he really cared for her, he would not hesitate to marry her regardless of her social standing. Just as how I would not hesitate to marry Miss Meyer.”
Fletcher remained silent, which was favorable for Anthony because he found himself quite winded after his heartfelt rebuttal. He observed Fletcher sink back into his chair, deep in thought.
Perhaps I will be able to persuade him to come around to my viewpoint after all.
* * *
“Oh, Meredith! It’s the most beautiful brooch I have ever seen! He really must care for you deeply!”
Meredith blushed, “Oh, I don’t know about that, Philippa. It is all quite new, these feelings, this… whatever it is that we have between us.”
Philippa carefully returned the brooch to the dresser.
“Naturally, this is quite unexpected, Meredith. But I suppose that it is the way most of these things go. So, what shall you two do now?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Dazed, Meredith sat on the bed.
That is a good question, indeed.
Noticing the sudden change in her demeanor, Philippa sat down next to her and rephrased her question.
“What I mean is, now that you and His Grace are… whatever it is that you are, what do you plan on doing next? Are there perhaps plans for an announcement of sorts?”
Meredith bit her lip. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand Philippa’s question the first time, it had just caught her so off-guard. Was this as far as her relationship with Anthony could go? If so, that would mean, at best, that they would be perpetually restricted to secret notes and nights in the garden.
If not, then would he eventually decide to propose? Or worse, would he perhaps tire of Meredith? Was she to be abandoned once more?
“I… don’t know what happens next, Philippa.”
Philippa grabbed her hands and stroked them soothingly with her thumbs.
“There, there, Meredith. I know that it is far too soon to be thinking of plans for the future, but chin up, dearest. I would not be the least bit surprised if His Grace already had a plan in mind for you two even now.”
* * *
“I am sorry, Your Grace. I suppose I would not object as obstinately if you were absolutely sure that you were being moved by genuine love as opposed to infatuation.”
Anthony raised his eyebrows.
“Pardon me, Fletcher, but I take it that you are not convinced that what I feel for Miss Meyer is love?”
Fletcher nodded, “Once again, I beg you to not lose patience with me, Your Grace. But as you yourself said, these feelings are still new. If this turns out to be infatuation, then at some point in the future you will only regret your decision to abandon everything for Miss Meyer, and then grow to resent her.”
Fletcher sighed and rubbed his temples.
“Your Grace, I am only trying to protect you from such a tragic outcome. You entrusted me with the responsibility of finding a governess for Lady Cecilia. At this point, I am inclined to dismiss Miss Meyer and replace her with a new governess.”
“You may not agree with my decision, but you yourself entrusted me with that duty, Your Grace. I want to uphold it the best way I know how.”
Anthony rubbed the back of his neck. He walked towards the open window—the same window that he and Meredith had used to sneak into the house that first night in the garden—and watched the carefree birds sing and play in the beautiful morning sunshine.
