Page 76 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“I know we must make plans if we wish to continue. Not only that, but I should speak with your father and formally ask his permission and approval for our courtship. Do you think he would allow it? He seemed far more responsive yesterday when I spoke with him,” Nathaniel said.
“He certainly has had a change of heart. He told me that he has never seen me so happy as when we were together in our secret. But he also told me that there were things you informed him of, things I might wish to know about the young woman. I’m not certain what he was speaking of, but your grandmother told me another thing regarding having to speak with you,” she commented.
“My grandmother?” he asked.
“I spoke with her,” Miss Digby replied.
“Oh, yes. She told me that. But she remained vague and I do not know what passed between the two of you,” he said.
“I was rather rude and disrespectful. But I wished for answers. Answers she refused to grant me,” she told him, seeming annoyed by that.
“Yes. I am certain you should like to know just as I did. And I do believe that it is time for you to be made aware of why it was that she insisted upon our union. For my part, I did not know until the evening before last. When I came yesterday I had every intention of telling you,” Nathaniel said.
“And, of course, I was not here to hear it. So, if you would, I should very much like to know. What is this grand secret? Why is it that she wished for us to be together? And why is it that upon learning it, my father had such a great change of heart?” she asked.
Nathaniel knew that the story was going to be quite a strange one for Miss Digby to hear, just as it had been for him. Nevertheless, it was time. He could finally explain his grandmother’s plan.
Chapter 37
“It all began many, many years ago,” Nathaniel said, leaning back in his chair. “My father was young. He knew that there were expectations on him from his mother and father that he would become a grand earl as all the men had been for generations in his family.
“But he hated these expectations. My father wanted freedom. He was a lover of books, just not the sort of books that my grandfather wanted him to read. You see, instead of knowledge, my father sought adventure.
“He did not wish to learn about mathematics and business. He only enjoyed learning languages because it enabled him to read adventurous tales in their original languages, such as Greek myths and legends. But regardless of all of this, he was a man who wished for a life different to that which his parents hoped for,” Nathaniel said.
It was strange for him, telling these stories about his father. Small details that he had heard before were now, suddenly, so very real since his grandmother had divulged them with a far greater intensity and depth. It was as if he had learned about a completely different man than the one who had raised him for all those years.
“A day came when he was on his way home from the rather fortified private school he attended. My father saw a young woman selling books along the street. She was not clothed well and it was evident that she had little wealth or means, but she was beautiful.”
“She had been selling books that were in poor condition that she had somehow managed to come by. I know not how. My grandmother said it was possible they were stolen, or maybe she had a dear friend in a librarian or other some such person. Regardless of how she came by them, she set up a place on the street where she would sell the volumes, no more than four or five in her possession at any time.
“Being a man who loved to read, my father would visit her often and see which few books she had available. As he had plenty of wealth to share, it was easy for him to spend his money on her wares.
Nathaniel paused, taking in a deep breath. Miss Digby appeared to be captivated by the story. No matter that she knew not where it was heading, she was a young woman who loved a good story.
He cleared his throat and took a drink from the tea and Miss Digby quickly refilled it, in a rush to get him to continue the tale. Nathaniel took his time, knowing that this tale was only going to grow deeper and with more detail that would shock and appal Miss Digby. He feared telling her the truth of it, but knew it was the very thing that must be done. She had to know, even if it was hard for him to say all of it.
“Forgive me,” he said, clearing his throat again.
“So as I was saying, he would visit her often. They began to talk about their lives, which were certainly quite different from one another. The young woman did not come from a good family. In fact, her father had long since passed away and there were a great deal of rumours regarding her mother’s choice of work,” he said.
“Of course, this cannot be confirmed and it is unkind to make assumptions about the woman. Nevertheless, her daughter was beautiful and intelligent despite not having had a proper education.
“My father, I am sure you have guessed, fell in love with the young woman. He was entirely captivated by her and could not resist his love for her. He decided that he would find a way to marry her.
“Until now, his parents knew nothing of the romance. They were entirely unaware that there had ever been such a thought in their son’s mind. My grandmother and grandfather thought he was just an average young man who was waiting until he was told what to do next. This is England, after all,” Nathaniel scoffed.
With a cynical eyebrow raised, Miss Digby nodded along with him.
“My father knew that his parents would never approve of him marrying a young woman who was poor and from a family of ill repute. Nevertheless, he was determined to find a way to marry her. He loved her and he could not allow anyone to keep him from that love.
“So he decided that they should wed in secret. His parents would not know anything until it was too late. It seemed to him the perfect plan after all. Once they were married, no one could do anything. No matter the cost to his family’s reputation, he would have her as his wife.
“So my father took the young woman and had a wedding dress made for her. He spent an enormous fortune on it and spared no expense, telling the dressmaker what he wanted. She knew he was having the gown made, but went only for her measurements to be had.
“And then…” Nathaniel swallowed. “And then, my father presented it to her. You see, they often met in an alleyway behind his home after dark. It was there that he gave her the dress. But there was something my father had not been prepared for…”
Miss Digby’s eyes were wide with suspense. She knew that whatever he was soon to reveal, it had been detrimental to his father and the young woman he loved. It pained Nathaniel to have to tell her all of this, knowing what it might mean for her.
