Page 75 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
Sarah needed to rest and Gory suddenly felt fatigued, as well.
Her head was starting to throb.
Julius noticed the subtle change in her demeanor immediately. “No need to take up more of your time, Allendale. I think we’ve said all that needs to be said. I’ll be in touch with you shortly.”
He escorted Gory out and helped her into the carriage.
He climbed in next and gave the driver the command to move on as he settled beside her. “Home, Hastings.”
“Aye, m’lord.”
Julius took her hand in his as the carriage got underway. “That was rough for you, wasn’t it?”
She nodded. “Not what I expected.”
He gave a mirthless laugh. “Nor I. I’ll drop you back home and then head to my solicitor’s to get him working on the betrothal releases.”
“But Allendale asked us to wait a few weeks before formalizing anything.”
“I will not wait to have those documents drawn up. He can sign them whenever he is ready, but I want them in front of him as soon as possible.”
She nodded in understanding. “You do not want him changing his mind and refusing to end the betrothal. Oh, Julius, he won’t. He really does not like me. Was it not obvious?”
“But he may like your inheritance.”
“The one hundred thousand pounds? Are you suggesting he knew of it? After seeing him with Sarah, I really do not think his motives went beyond securing my dowry, and then leaving me to my research work while he spent his time with Sarah.”
“Gory, do not be naive. He knew about the inheritance for certain. Did you not notice the calling card on the silver tray upon the table in the entryway?”
Gory blushed. “No, I was too incensed to pay attention. Whose card was it?”
“Your uncle’s solicitor, Reginald Mayfield.”
She stared at him incredulously, then gasped as she realized the importance of what he had just told her. “Oh! That obsequious little weasel seems to turn up everywhere, doesn’t he? Then Allendale is exactly the fortune-hunting fiend you believed he was. Yes, let’s go to your solicitor right now and have him start on those release papers. It is not out of the way. Why return home when you are only going to turn around and ride straight back here? I’ll wait in the carriage while you speak to him.”
“Very well, we’ll go straight there instead of home. But I’ll have you come in with me. I dare not leave you unprotected even for a moment.” He thumped on the carriage roof. “Change of plans, Hastings. We’re to call on my solicitor first.”
Gory did not mind remaining by his side as they ran this second errand, for she loved the way Julius always stood by her, as though reminding her that she would never be alone or needing to fight on her own while he was there to support her.
Julius cleared his throat. “It is practical to have you with me for another reason.”
“Oh, what is that?”
“So we can discuss the terms of our betrothal agreement. That is…if you will have me as your husband, Gory. I know this is not the best time to toss this at you, but I’ve botched this badly once already and refuse to make the same mistake again. I was concerned you might need the protection of privileges afforded a peer such as Allendale, but there is little danger of Havers arresting you for your uncle’s murder now that he has gotten to know you. With that concern addressed and minimized, I would like to bring you under my protection as soon as possible…for always.”
Her heart began to beat excitedly. “You are asking me to marry you?”
“Seems so, doesn’t it?” He cast her a dazzlingly affectionate smile. “Yes, I am. Is this not the natural progression when a couple is in love?”
So many feelings surged through her and engulfed her.
She felt the urge to laugh and cry at the same time, to rejoice and also to worry. Would she make him happy? Could she manage a household and remain active at the Huntsford forensics laboratory? “Few consider love important, but you Thorne men are obviously different.”
He surprised her by nudging her onto his lap and regarding her with heartfelt sincerity. “Will you, Gory?”
She hugged him fiercely. “Yes! With all my heart. I never thought I could be this happy.”
Suddenly, she drew back and stared at him in dismay. “But what if Allendale has a change of heart and does not sign the papers to end the betrothal? What are the legal consequences?”
