Page 42 of The Truth about the Viscount
“You can?” Daniel’s eyebrows lifted as Lord Milthorpe nodded. “Then you mean to say that–”
“Yes, yes, I think that I am falling in love with Isabella.” Lord Milthorpe reached to pour himself another glass of port rather than looking back at Daniel. “It has been a very strange thing, I must say. I have known Isabella for a very long time, and never once thought of her with any sort of fondness beyondfriendship… and yet, here I am now, discovering that my heart holds a great affection for her! I wake in the morning wondering when I am to see her again. My eagerness and anticipation for our forthcoming wedding fills me in greater strength every day, and when I take her into my arms, I have no desire to be anywhere other than there, to linger in that moment for as long as I can.”
Daniel scrubbed one hand over his face, not quite sure what to say. It was not that he felt in any way uncomfortable about what Lord Milthorpe was saying. It was more that he could recognize everything that was being said and, if he accepted it, then that meant that something almost unimaginable was happening to him.
“Might I be so bold as to ask you whether or not you have held Lady Patience close?”
A slight lift of Lord Milthorpe’s eyebrows made Daniel’s lips quirk ruefully as he shook his head.
“No, not as yet. Though we have danced the waltz together already… though that was when I was deeply angry and upset and had the sole intention of telling her just how I felt.”
Lord Milthorpe grinned.
“Then might I suggest that you try doing so very soon? You may find yourself surprised with all that you feel – or it may bring you to a determined conclusion about what is already within your heart.”
Daniel said nothing, swirling his port around the glass gently as he considered all that Lord Milthorpe had said. He was truly delighted to know that Milthorpe felt so strongly for Isabella, for that meant that, despite the difficulties with which the betrothal had begun, her future would now be settled and happy.
And can I hope for the same with my own marriage?He swallowed as a sudden thought came to him.What if she decidesto separate from me before we marry? I did give her that choice.
“Is there something the matter?”
With a small sigh, Daniel spread out his free hand.
“I have told Lady Patience that if she wishes to end the betrothal, if she wishes to make her own match, then she has every right to do so – and that I will take the blame for the ending of it.” Daniel lifted his shoulders and then let them drop. “I confess that there is a part of me that fears that she will do so and thus, all that I feel will break apart and injure me in the process.”
Lord Milthorpe shrugged.
“Did she give you any indication that she planned to do such a thing?”
Daniel shook his head no.
“Then why are you concerned?”
“Because I have not felt such feelings before,” Daniel admitted, his face flushing. “This was never meant to happen. I intended to step away from society once my sister was wed and now, I have found myself the center of attention thanks to my sudden and somewhat surprising betrothal! Lady Patience came unexpectedly into my sphere, but now that she has become almost a permanent part of it…” Daniel shook his head, a sudden pain in his chest. “The truth is, I cannot think of what it would be like without her.”
Lord Milthorpe nodded in evident understanding.
“Then you must tell her,” he said, quietly. “Take her in your arms, tell her of your heart, and you will see and feel true joy in that moment. I am quite sure of it.”
“Patience, wait a moment.”
Daniel’s heart was thudding painfully as he caught Lady Patience’s hand, pulling her back from the door. Her family was about to take their leave, and in stealing her back from them as he had done, he was giving them a few moments to be alone. The surprise on her face told him that she certainly had not been expecting him to do such a thing and that almost made Daniel pull back from what he had thought to do, only for her fingers to tighten gently on his.
“Lord Milthorpe.” Feeling as though his tongue was sticking to the roof of his mouth, Daniel shook his head, looked away from her, and tried again. It seemed easier to speak when he was not looking at her. “Lord Milthorpe has informed me that Lord Newforth has been seen in Bath. It may be that he has taken his leave of London and will not return.”
He heard her catch her breath in a quiet gasp, his gaze going back to her.
“Can it be true?”
With a small smile, Daniel nodded.
“I think it must be. I have not heard anything as regards Lady Winters and her daughter - however, I presume that they are both still in London.”
“But not seen in society very much,” Lady Patience added, her eyes glowing with clear happiness. “How wonderful for you, Hastings! You are free now of the threats he placed upon you.”
“So it would seem.”
A tension began to hum through him as Lord Milthorpe’s advice began to ring around his mind. Would he dare to take Lady Patience in his arms? Would he be bold enough to hold her close and hope that her response would be a positive one? Or would her hand in his be all that he was left with?
