Page 62 of Baron in Check
Hermy swallowed, and Greg gave a warm look. “You’re not alone anymore. I won’t ever leave you alone.”
“But what if David is already there?”
“It’s possible.” Arnold raised his brows and shrugged. “If he read the papers, he’d know there’s a windfall for him should you not have preserved residence at Willowby Park.”
Greg pursed his lips. “It’s logical he’d come looking for you at your house.”
Hermy pulled away from Greg, hurt he’d take her toward the danger rather than away from it. “He has a claim on me, how can you be so calm?”
“We face our enemies. We face our fears.”
“That’s laudable but stupid.”
“It is a risk,” Hannah agreed.
“I don’t want to steal the bride.” Greg took a wide stance and put both hands on Hermy’s shoulders. “Not again. I don’t want to hide. If you’ll have me, do it in the open.”
Hermy gulped. How she’d longed for Greg to utter these words. She dreamed up every possible variation of them and yet now she’d heard them, they sounded like a threat.
“I might forfeit my inheritance if David aligns with Nagy and List.”
“Then you’ll just be my baroness. Would that be enough?”
“I don’t want to be David’s Countess.”
“You won’t unless it is your wish,” Arnold said. “I won’t agree to the betrothal under duress.”
The corners of Greg’s mouth built into a crooked smile. Arnold was her windfall now.
And Greg would catch her.
CHAPTER 29
Everyone gathered in the hall when Greg and Hermy arrived to pick up Arnold, Hannah, and their children.
“I’m so sorry I can’t come.” Fave gave Greg a warm hug, as if he was going to miss his brother’s wedding.
Gustav hooked arms with Eve. “Nagy froze our accounts. The Klonimuses, too.”
“That’s why we need to go now and end the nonsense,” Greg said.
Hermy nodded. “As Earl, Greg can have more sway in parliament and finally guarantee equality.”
“There’s no true equality,” Eve said. “Can you imagine if Jewish men obtained a vote?”
“Or women!” Lizzie sputtered a laugh and then grimaced as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “But we wish you all the best, Greg.” Her voice wobbled, and Caleb wrapped his around her.
“No proverbs for me today?” Greg asked as Lizzie wiped a tear from her face.
“May your road be smooth and your burden light.” She wiped another tear from her rosy cheeks.
“Thank you, Lizzie.” Greg’s voice cracked, too. “Thank you all for everything you’ve done.”
“It’s not enough, son. We shouldn’t leave you alone now,” Gustav said.
Eve produced a small embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve and patted her cheeks. “I will never forgive myself if I miss your wedding. But if haste requires you to seek a local clergyman, know that my heart is with you.”
“We’ll be there.” Hannah shifted little Izaac from her left arm to the right.
