Page 38 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
Miss Digby seemed uncertain. “He is a…proud…man. He might still find it to be an offense,” she warned.
“Would you allow me to try?” he asked, hopeful.
Watching her face, Nathaniel knew that she would relent.
“Yes, you may try. I know that my sisters shall beg him, and he will accept in the end. It is a good plan,” she remarked, not quite looking him in the eye.
“I am glad you think so,” he replied with relief.
They continued to eat and he called for his chef, instructing him to prepare a meal to send to the home tomorrow afternoon that the family might eat for their dinner. Nathaniel did not want to send it that evening. After all, Miss Digby was indulging at luncheon and he expected she would not be so hungry by the time dinner came around.
He hoped there would be enough that the family might have some left over for the following day as well. If he was able to care for them, he might be able to win Mr. Digby’s approval, despite the mistakes he had made. He might manage to get the man to like him without him ever knowing that Nathaniel and Miss Digby were pursuing their courtship.
It was not something he ought to have put a lot of hope in, and he knew that. But he had to try. And as he tried, he would work towards gaining Miss Digby’s affection as well.
“Thank you for the lovely, bounteous meal,” she remarked, leaning back in her chair to show that she was finished.
“You have eaten to your fill?” he asked her.
“More than, my lord. You have fed me generously,” she laughed.
“I’m glad to hear it. It has been my pleasure having you as a guest in my home and I should like to see you again soon,” he told her.
Miss Digby nodded, but he could still see the hesitation in her eyes.
“I do not wish to put enmity between yourself and your father. Please know that. I am only seeking to show you my affections and give you what I am able,” he told her.
“Yes, I understand that. And I am entirely grateful for it. I should like to see you again as well,” she said.
“Then please do me the honour of coming again in two days’ time. I shall have the coach park down the street from your home again as I did today. No one shall know that you have come here,” he promised.
“Are you certain it is wise?” she asked.
“No. But I am certain it is what I wish,” he told her, as honestly as he could.
“Well, then, if it is what you wish, I shall come. In two days’ time,” she promised.
Nathaniel could not keep the smile from his face. He would be able to spend more time with her, to see Miss Digby again. They would enjoy one another’s company, and she could indulge as much as she wished.
Nathaniel knew it was dangerous, what they were planning. Her father could learn the truth at any time. But he would have to eventually anyway and it was better that they already be far along in their courtship by the time he did. After all, Nathaniel was confident that he would be able to gain the man’s approval eventually.
“Shall I call for the coach?” he asked Miss Digby.
“Yes, thank you. I should be getting back home before my sisters arrive,” she told him.
“Very well, then,” he said. Nathaniel had the coach made ready and walked Miss Digby to the door.
“Farewell, Miss Digby. Tomorrow you shall have a grand meal delivered and I look forward to hearing a report of it the following day,” he grinned.
She smiled in reply and curtseyed. “Thank you, my lord. For all of your kindness,” she said.
“It is my pleasure,” he told her.
With that, she turned and left. Nathaniel was sad to see her go but knew it was the right thing. She would be back and that was all that mattered.
Chapter 20
In the morning, Olivia received a letter from Lady Kirby. It had not been expected in the least, but she was glad for it. It seemed that the earl had reported to his grandmother that the two of them had been enjoying their time together. She asked that Olivia come to see her with the earl the following day after they dined at his home.
