Page 65 of An Earl to Save the Diamond
She leaned against her soon-to-be husband and admired the emerald ring which he had given her, a family heirloom from his grandmother. It suited her finger perfectly and twinkled beautifully as it caught the sunlight. It was exactly the sort of ring she would have hoped for as she considered diamonds not her style.
“Andrew, how are you feeling?”
“Good, My Love. I have you by myself; what else is there to feel?”
Marjorie shook her head laughing. There would be no boring moments with him. “I mean it. How do you feel about going to see your mother with me?”
Andrew took her hand and kissed it. “I meant what I said earlier. Good. Really good.”
Marjorie nodded. She trusted him. The first person they saw as they entered Grant Manor was Ellen. She was writing and looked up with delight when she saw them. She hurried to Marjorie who hugged her, and they started giggling.
“Oh, please! Can we just get to it? You two have all the time in the world to gossip later,” Andrew huffed.
“Do not be such a spoilsport, Andrew; I am simply saying hello to my future sister-in-law,” Marjorie retorted.
“Fine, I will leave you to it, My Love. How is mother doing?” He inquired of Ellen.
“Still in a sour mood. I doubt that anything will lift her spirits,” Ellen replied.
Andrew nodded. “I will go right up and see her. My Love, I expect you up soon.”
“I am right behind you, My Love.”
As Andrew trudged up the stairs, Ellen giggled. “My Love? I cannot believe I am actually hearing that.”
Marjorie laughed. “I guess we can stand each other after all, and I also wanted to say thank you for helping.”
Ellen nodded and hugged Marjorie. “Now go, and hurry back because we have got a lot to discuss.”
Marjorie nodded. She walked hesitantly to the Dowager’s chamber, and when Marjorie saw the Dowager, looking frail and weak, her heart went out to her immediately. “Your Grace, how do you fare?”
Lady Grant coughed on beholding Marjorie. “I have been better.”
Marjorie simply nodded, understanding.
Andrew appeared by her side, and she leaned against him in gratitude. “Mother, as we discussed earlier, I would like to introduce you to my bride-to-be. I have asked for her hand, and Lady Marjorie has done me the greatest honor of agreeing to marry me. We shall begin wedding plans quickly because of the unusual circumstances in which we were brought together.”
Marjorie put a hand to Andrew’s chest to indicate that he should let her speak, and he nodded.
“Your Grace, I understand that you may be pensive about our marriage, and you have doubts about me becoming the Duchess of Grant, but I can assure you that you can count on me to keep things going. I know that I am not your favorite person, but the affection that your son and I share is real. It would mean a lot to me, to us, if you could give us your blessing.” Marjorie’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
The Dowager remained silent. She looked at Andrew after a while and said, “When will you be taking me to the countryside? I am ready. I would rather die than watch this happen.”
Marjorie gasped while Andrew looked at his mother in disbelief. “As you wish, Mother. We can leave at first light tomorrow. I will inform the servants and have the Dower House prepared for your arrival.”
“Thank you,” Lady Grant murmured stiffly. “Now, if you will both excuse me, I have to rest.”
Marjorie held her breath for a moment trying not to cry. “What possible wrong have I ever done to you? Why do you detest me so?”
The Dowager laughed. “Detest you? You must think so highly of yourself. You are everything I taught my children not to be, and look where it got them.”
Andrew shook his head and led Marjorie toward the door. Marjorie walked down the flight of stairs with Andrew trying not to cry.
“It is all right Marjorie. We have your parents’ blessings, and my grandmother will be here for the wedding as well.”
“I know. I guess I just assumed that when she saw me, she would soften; that maybe she would think about the child in my womb and want to give us a chance.”
Andrew laughed. “Then you do not know my mother. Come on, you must be hungry. I shall get Cook to bring something for you to eat.”
