Page 12 of Revealing a Rogue
How fitting.Landon raised the ring to the dwindling rays of sunlight. “I’ll take this one.”
Rutherford held out his palm. “Very well, I shall make certain it is cleaned and polished and delivered to you in the morn.”
“I’d prefer to take it with me when I leave after our meeting.”
The man’s white brows angled down. “Certainly.” Rutherford snatched the ring from Landon's hand and walked toward the back again, mumbling. “And to think, we’re about to lose Bronwyn to the likes of him. Tsk. Tsk.”
Landon grinned at Rutherford’s comment. It was fortunate he had fallen for a woman the Network held in such high regard. Wandering about the store, Landon examined the exquisite pieces of jewelry in the cabinets. A ruby and diamond choker caught his interest. Fantasizing the piece around Bronwyn’s delicate throat, he jumped when a meaty hand landed on his shoulder.
Landon spun around to find his friend Gilbert Talbot, Earl of Waterford, standing next to him. Waterford’s features were grim. “Cadby is not pleased. Why did you not seek him out prior to approaching his daughter?”
Crossing his arms across his chest, Landon replied, “If I’d known her surname prior to my proposal, I would have.”
Waterford chuckled. “Apparently, some secrets are safe within the Network.”
“What are you doing here?”
His friend’s eyes widened, and his eyebrows slanted inward. One was arched higher than the other. Landon hadn’t asked with the intention of provoking either reaction, but he had expected only the elders to be in attendance.
“I’m one of the six council members.”
“You are one of theelders?”
“Don’t look so surprised. The council is comprised of the eldest living member of the original six families that founded the Network. I’m the eldest of my line. Come. I’ll introduce you to the remaining five members.”
Curse Archbroke and his cursory review of the Network and its workings. Landon suspected it was due to Archbroke’s own limited knowledge, not that the man intentionally withheld information. “Who of the PORFs are aware of which families make up this illustrious council?”
The crease between Waterford’s brows deepened. “You will be the only PORF to know. While Network members vow to protect and assist PORFs, the PORFs do not govern our organization. The elders’ council is our ruling body.”
“Thank you for clarifying. I still have much to learn.” Landon followed Waterford to the back.
Seated at a long table were three women of middling ages. Cadby and Rutherford stood as he entered the room. Waterford motioned for him to take the seat at the head of the table. The council members alternated male and female on each side of the table.
Waterford took the seat to Landon’s right. “Lord Hadfield, allow me to introduce you to the Network elders.” Waterford turned to his right. “Mrs. Lennox. Her daughter, Emma, is your cousin Theo’s modiste.” The woman dipped her head in Landon’s direction and then promptly turned to her right as Waterford continued. “You already know Rutherford. Across from Rutherford is Mrs. Cornwell, whose family has served in the Marquess of Burke’s household for generations.”
Landon smiled, revealing his dimple. Instead of a blush rising to the woman’s cheeks, which was the typical response from women of all ages when he displayed the small dent in his cheek, Mrs. Cornwell’s lips thinned into a straight line. Landon inwardly groaned; he was in for a long night of discussions.
Waterford’s gaze landed on Cadby. “The man next to Mrs. Cornwell is Cadby, who you know is Bronwyn’s papa. And last but not least is Mrs. Barnwell. She and her husband own a coaching inn, the Lone Dove. Mrs. Barnwell will be leading the proceedings this evening.”
Thank goodness. The woman was the only one whose glare did not contain a hint of skepticism.
“Lord Hadfield, welcome.” Mrs. Barnwell glanced at each guest in turn before returning to Landon. “It has come to our attention you have expressed an interest in our dear Bronwyn.”
Landon cleared his suddenly dry throat. “Yes. I sent a request around to Mr. Cadby’s establishment in the hopes I’d have the honor of his time and to seek out his blessing. However, Mr. Cadby informed me I was to apply to the council for permission to marry his daughter.”
“There are many reasons why we are protective of our children. But in Bronwyn’s case, we are ever more so, for she holds two important roles within our organization. She is next in line to represent the Cadby family on this council, andshe is the sole representative of the next generation as voted by her peers.” Mrs. Barnwell turned to Rutherford. “While we allow Lord Hadfield time to process all I have shared, Rutherford, will you please have the refreshments brought in?”
As Rutherford left the room, Cadby’s features revealed nothing of his thoughts, only his displeasure. Landon attempted to school his shock and annoyance at his lack of knowledge. Marrying Bronwyn would disrupt the dynamics within the Network. But he needed her more than they did. His mind and body were attracted to no other woman. Not a single lady of the ton had managed to capture his interest for longer than a few minutes before his mind would flash an image of Bronwyn. Then all he could do was compare the lady to Bronwyn. None were as interesting or alluring.
Utilizing every ounce of restraint and willpower, Landon remained still with his spine and shoulders steeled straight, bearing the weight of every council member's regard. He ruminated over the progress of the meeting, while the council members continued their evaluation of him. Fears of inadequacy that needled him every day since he obtained the rondure crept to the forefront of his mind. A bitter taste flooded his mouth as he bit down on the inside corner of his lower lip.
Rutherford returned, leading a line of servants laden with food and drink, which confirmed Landon’s suspicion: he would not be leaving any time soon. Landon glanced at Waterford from the corner of his eye. Until now, Waterford’s demeanor had remained impartial, but there was a keenness in the man’s eye as he assessed Landon’s reactions. While Landon had spent months traveling with Waterford and considered him a close friend, he hadn’t totally figured the man out.
A plate was set in front of Landon. Waterford piled food upon Landon’s plate before he turned to his own. The waft of deliciously flavored meats and vegetables invaded Landon’s thoughts, making his stomach rumble. He pressed a hand to his midriff. The elders served themselves one by one. Would they resume their inquisition or feast first?
In any other setting, as head PORF, Landon would be expected to initiate or decide what was to occur next. But he was quite comfortable waiting for the elders to act first. He basked in relief that, for now, he wasn’t expected to be in charge. His decision to retain the rondure and hold the position of head PORF had opened his eyes to the distinctions between classes. Raised on the fringes of the upper class, he’d never pondered the archaic structure of society until he became head PORF. The Network was comprised of individuals from all classes. Still, over generations, the organization remained steadfast in its purpose to serve PORFs—nothing else mattered. They all shared the common goal and treated one another with the same respect. He glanced about the table. The council was a perfect example of how the Network functioned in harmony.
Two years of soul searching had left him exhausted but simultaneously excited for the future. His future father-in-law stared at him as if solving a puzzle of some sort. Landon had conducted himself to the best of his abilities during the adjustment period. Now, he would find out how others had viewed his progression.
