Page 68 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
His father's face turned crimson red with rage. "What money?"
"The money you cheated Lord Chesterfield out of before he put up Pembroke and his daughters' hand. I do believe it is a tidy sum," James said. He gathered up the deed and blew on his father's signature to ensure the ink was dry before he folded it up and placed it in his jacket pocket. "I shall give you until the end of the week to transfer the funds to him."
His father baulked. "I cannot believe you would turn on me like this. You are a fool."
"Father, I suggest you return to Thorneby. Perhaps there you will not be able to get into any more trouble," James suggested. His father snorted, shaking his head, and then stormed out of the room.
James waited until he was gone before letting out a sigh. It had gone about as he had thought it would. However, James had expected his father to put up much more of a fight. He felt his knees go weak and braced himself against the table. A hand touched his shoulder, and he turned around, gathering Caroline into his arms.
He had told her to listen from a hidden chamber off the side of the drawing room. His father would never have suspected her to be in the house, as she had only just returned that morning to watch him enact his plan.
"It is done," he said with a sigh of relief.
Caroline smiled up at him, her laughter chasing away the last vestiges of nerves that had been his constant companion these last few days. The anticipation of what his father might have said and done had been worse than the encounter.
"I am proud of you. Thank you, James. I cannot think of another man so noble. Certainly, none of the young men I know of would ever have given back an estate after it had come into their possession. Even one as rundown as Pembroke."
James kissed her lightly on the forehead. "It will not be rundown for long."
Caroline's eyes widened. "Whatever do you mean?" she asked.
"Simply this: repairs will go ahead as we had planned. And your parents and Grace will return to their rightful home at long last."
The look on her face was worth all the money it would take to repair Pembroke Manor. He drew her closer and looked deep into her eyes. "Well, do you think this is proof enough of my intentions?"
She smiled. "Yes, it surely is," she replied.
"Good. Things are going to be different around here from now on. You'll never have to worry about my father taking advantage again."
Caroline nodded. "Thank you, James. I only worry that my father will not fully see the error of his ways and will turn up right back where he started."
James nodded. "Well, I think he will get turned around in the right direction as well, eventually."
What he did not say was that he had also had a long talk with his father-in-law. Not about returning Pembroke to him, as he did not want to get his hopes up before his father had signed the deed back over. However, they had engaged in a very frank conversation about his spending and how a change was needed if his family was ever to have any peace.
He implored Lord Chesterfield to think of Grace and her prospects. Sir Knowles was head over heels for her, but it did not mean Lord Chesterfield could abandon his duty and ask the man to take her without a dowry. Now that James's father was restoring everything that had been stolen, Lady Grace needed a dowry, for he surmised that she and Sir Knowles would want to marry shortly.
Surprisingly, Lord Chesterfield had been receptive to his suggestions to better handle his financial affairs. He could only hope that it would stick. Regardless if Lord Chesterfield was all talk, James would do whatever was in his power to keep his father-in-law in line.
"Well, no matter what happens, I am grateful. And even if my parents decide not to move back to the country, the house will be ready for our children someday." Caroline gave him a wry smile.
Love welled inside his chest as he looked at her. He took her hand and steered her toward the double doors leading out to the terrace. It was a beautiful summer day, and it seemed only right that they should take advantage of it and celebrate their victory. They stepped out into the sunshine, and he took her hand in his.
"You are a marvel, Caroline. I still cannot believe that you have come through this without being bitter."
"How can I be bitter? Despite your father's manoeuvrings, he brought us together. Good has come out of what was meant for evil. And I know there will be much more good to come." Caroline squeezed his hand, and James returned the gesture.
A door slammed somewhere inside, so loud that it travelled out to them on the patio. Caroline jumped, looking up at him with fear-filled eyes. James placed a hand on the small of her back and steered her away from the door. "My father is departing London, I think. It will be alright. He has always been a hothead and will calm down in time."
Caroline hung her head. "I hope so."
James turned her into his chest, lifting her face with a finger under her chin. "Do not fret about him anymore. He will return to Thorneby, as I suggested, and will see things more clearly after a few days to think. And even if he does not, justice has prevailed." James kissed her forehead. "Now, we will have the house to ourselves for a few days."
She laughed at this revelation. "But will he be alright? He will not do anything rash, will he?"
Her concern for his father touched him. "He will be just fine. We will follow him to Thorneby in a few days and check in on him. But for now, let us enjoy this rare time alone."
Caroline giggled. "It almost feels as if we should throw a party and celebrate how everything has turned right."
