Page 12 of Everything But the Earl
“So let us review,” said Penny. “Your engagement to Beresford is off.”
“Apparently he told Father that he and I do not suit shortly before Mother discovered me with Caernarfon.”
“And you kissed Caernarfon and it was dreamy. And it could be the solution to your problems. Your parents would leave you alone if you married him. You could make all the pottery your heart desires.” Penny looked off into the distance. “Surely a castle is big enough to have a room you could use for that.”
“I suppose.”
“I think you should marry him,” said Penny. “Caernarfon is also a politician and is often in town to attend to…whatever Members of Parliament attend to. So you’d have your privacy, at least most of the time. And if your family is going to force you into a marriage anyway, I daresay Caernarfon is a far better option than many alternatives.”
“He is quite handsome,” said Grace. “I just worry we won’t have anything to talk about.”
“But will that matter if he’s in London and you’re in Wales?”
A good point. “I suppose not.” Grace shook her head. “I hear what you ladies are telling me, I just… Well, I can’t think of any reason to say no to him if he asks.”
“So is that your answer decided?” asked Elizabeth. “If Caernarfon offers, will you say yes?”
“I…yes. Yes, I will agree to be his countess.”
*
Owen approached theMidwood residence with trepidation.
He’d never done anything like this before. He knew the Midwoods because his parents traveled in their social circle, but he did not know the marquess well and was worried how he would react to Owen’s presence.
It wasn’t that Owenneverwanted to marry, it was just that he’d wanted it to happen at a time in his life when he felt more sure of himself. In the three years since his father’s death, Owen had been struggling to adjust to simultaneously managing his family’s holdings and keeping his work in Parliament. He’d thought about marriage, but had saved it for a perhaps mythical time when he’d feel less overwhelmed, at which time he’d feel prepared to settle down. Instead, he found himself in front of the Midwood house.
He steeled himself and climbed the stoop.
The butler immediately showed Owen to the Marquess of Midwood’s study on the house’s second floor.
The marquess was a thin, delicate man with graying hair and a kind face. He had a reputation for getting on well with everyone.
“Ah, Caernarfon,” he said, standing and butchering the pronunciation of Owen’s title.
“Hello, my lord.” Owen doffed his hat. “I suppose you know why I am here.”
“Come in, come in. Please, have a seat.” Midwood smiled.
Perhaps this would be all right. Owen swallowed. “I admit to being a bit nervous.”
“Ask me the question.”
Might as well just get this over with. “I’ve come to ask for your daughter’s hand.”
Midwood nodded. “Yes, I expected you would. She’s a beautiful girl, Grace is. I’m enormously proud of her, and I want her to have agood husband. I want her to be provided for. Tell me, my lord, can you do that?”
“Yes, sir.” Owen paused to formulate a way to express his wealth without bragging. “I own an estate in northwest Wales that is quite profitable. Sheep farming is our main industry, and we’ve been selling wool to textile factories and the like. I also own a house here in town and recently purchased a cottage on the north coast of Wales. Oh, and there’s drafty old Caernarfon Castle. Technically I own that, too, although my aunt is currently overseeing its upkeep. But my point is, yes, I can provide Grace with a comfortable home and whatever she needs. She will never want for anything.”
“What of your obligations to Parliament?”
“I come to town when Parliament is in session. I often stay in London, in fact. But I do travel out to my estate to handle the business there with some regularity.”
Midwood nodded. “Would Grace travel with you?”
“If she desires. I intend to let her choose where she feels most comfortable living.” Owen decided to omit that her predilection for the country and his for the city meant they’d likely be spending time in separate residences. Before he made any vows, he intended to discuss that with Grace, to find out if she meant what she’d said when she expressed a desire to live in the country, apart from any hypothetical husband. Since his stomach was still in knots over the prospect of going through with a marriage, that arrangement suited his purposes.
Midwood gave Owen a long look, and then said, “I have been asking around about you, and everyone has only the best words. I feel satisfied that you will make a good husband for my daughter. I can offer a modest dowry.”
