Page 32 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“And yet, I am beside myself with wonder at your behaviours. You have shown me the worst I could ever expect of a man, but I have also seen such a contradictory kindness in you. Not only that, but you have humbled yourself to extremity,” she told him.
“And yet it is not nearly enough to beg your pardon,” he said with remorse.
Olivia felt contented by that. “No, it is not. And I am glad you recognise that. However, I find myself compelled to forgive you,” she told him with determination.
“Truly?” he breathed in relief.
“Yes, truly. Not only that,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I shall agree to a formal courtship so long as I do not see one whiff of the character that came out yesterday.”
“You’ll see none for it was not me. It was I as a child might behave when throwing a grave tantrum. But you shall see no more,” he promised.
“You assure me?” she pressed further.
“I assure you in every way that I am able,” he answered.
Olivia nodded, consenting to the courtship. A small voice within her cried out that she was being a fool all over again, that she ought not to trust this man. But she shoved it away. She had to try and she had to give him a second chance. After all, he had truly made an effort to make things right with her.
But in that moment, a form darkened the doorway, startling her. Olivia saw him first, the figure of her father standing just beyond the opening of the parlour into the entrance of the home. She had no idea how long he might have been standing there.
“Father?” she asked, cautiously.
He entered the room then, anger evident on his face. Olivia knew that she was done for. He would be entirely too angry to allow any of this to proceed forward.
“You would agree to this?” he asked her in a low, steady voice.
The Earl of Glauston stood, intent upon greeting Mr. Digby. However, in a slight against him, Mr. Digby turned away from the earl with great abhorrence.
“Father, you do not understand the fullness of the situation,” she began.
“I think I understand better than you, my daughter. I am well versed in matters of society. I am versed because I have been so ill-treated by those who run it. I told you not to become a part of this. You have disobeyed me,” he pointed out, continuing in that frightening, calculated tone.
“I meant no offense against you, Father. I simply had to learn what it was all about and now I know. Now I have agreed to a courtship that should bring our family great joy,” Olivia told him.
“Great joy?” he asked, more forcefully this time. Olivia could sense that her father was growing quite angry and that he might soon begin to yell, something he scarcely ever did.
“Father, please. Please be calm,” she requested with care.
“I am only upset that you have disobeyed me so willingly,” he told her.
“Please, Mr. Digby,” the earl finally interjected, as respectfully as he could. “Miss Digby did not call me to come here today. This was of my own doing. I ask your forgiveness for any offense caused.”
“You, my lord, have caused a great deal of offense from what I have gathered. You dare to insult my daughter and then come chasing after her?” he demanded.
“It is not what you think, Mr. Digby,” he said. “There was a great deal of misunderstanding, a large part of which was caused by myself. But I have explained to Miss Digby and would be perfectly happy to explain to you as well,” he said.
“I wish only for you to leave,” Mr. Digby instructed.
“But, sir –”
“I told you to leave my home at once,” he said again.
Olivia watched as the earl left, obeying her father with a look of sadness towards her. And as he went through the door, Olivia wondered what exactly the future might hold.
Chapter 17
Nathaniel was exhausted when he returned to his grandmother’s home, not ready to share about the events of the day. Certainly, Miss Digby had responded well to his apology, but her father had not felt the same and it crushed him that he had been so angry.
Nevertheless, he had obtained her forgiveness and permission to begin formally courting her and that was what mattered most to him. Miss Digby had relented and he found himself feeling, somehow, far better than he had in a long time.
