Page 44 of An Earl to Save the Diamond
“I am sorry, Grandmother. I just had a lot going through my mind.”
The Dowager paused. “Like what, child?”
“You know what.”
Lady Bath shook her head. “No, I do not know what and will not know unless you open up your mouth to tell me, Gerard.”
Gerard sighed. “How did you know you were in love with Grandfather?”
The Dowager took a deep breath. “You are in love with Ellen, then?”
“I think so,” Gerard replied.
“Does she know?”
“No. I have been avoiding her like a coward since after the festival. Now I fear that she hates me.”
Lady Bath put her book aside and took off her reading glasses. “I shall tell you the story of how your grandfather and I came to be together. You can take your lessons and apply them to your dilemma.”
“I am all ears,” Gerard said.
“Your grandfather had just returned from a voyage on a trip to the Americas. He had, in fact, been engaged before he left and was to return to marry his betrothed. I did not come from nobility, and so I was working with my father at the seaport when the ship docked. Your grandfather always said that when he saw me, he knew he had returned home.”
Gerard grunted. He had heard the story of how his parents came to marry, but his grandmother had never revealed how she got married to the Earl of Bath herself.
“I do not recall speaking to Charles that day, but the next day, he came to pay me a visit. I did not know he was a man of high nobility, then; in fact, he was still not even Viscount then. My father, who was very protective of me, damned the consequences and asked him to leave. He also assured Charles that he would throw him into the sea if he ever called on me again.”
“I assume that did not deter him?” Gerard asked.
“Of course not,” the Dowager replied. “He showed up every day, trying to convince my father that he had nothing but good intentions toward me.”
“What happened then?”
“Do not interrupt me, Gerard,” the Dowager huffed. “Eventually, he wore my father out. He was so tired of Charles showing up every time that he finally permitted Charles to speak with me. Since I did not have a lady’s maid or a relative to act as a chaperone, we agreed that he would only come around when my father was free from work.”
Gerard’s grandmother dabbed at her eyes softly. “I wondered what your grandfather saw in me. He was the son of a rich lord, and surely he could have his pick of ladies of similar standing. But he was persistent in his wanting to spend time with me.”
“Did he tell you about his prior engagement?” asked Gerard.
“Yes, yes. Your grandfather told no lies. He was honest about it and eventually apologized to the lady and her family. It caused quite a scandal. His father threatened to disinherit him,” the Dowager chuckled. “But your grandfather was undeterred. He had a dressmaker make me the finest gowns I had ever seen, and he took me to my first ball. I felt so pretty, but I was very uncomfortable as a result of all the stares I was getting. Your grandfather eased my worries. He held my hand and danced with me through the night like the other ladies did not exist. His reassuring smile put my mind at ease. I believe that was the moment I fell in love with him.”
“I did not realize Grandfather was such a romantic.”
“Oh, dear, there is much you do not know.”
“How did his parents accept you?”
The Dowager Countess laughed. “Oh, they hated me. How could the daughter of a seaman become the next Countess of Bath? The only reason your grandfather was not disinherited was that he was his father’s only son. In fact, his mother barely said a word to me until she died.”
“And how did Grandfather take all that?”
“Like a true gentleman. He kept me away from his family’s wagging tongues and made certain they treated me with respect when our paths crossed. He bought me books; we would ride our horses together and fish together; we were the sensation of the entireton,” the Dowager sighed. “I still miss him, you know. It’s just a sad thing most of my family died, but at least, I have you.”
Gerard held her hands. “We have each other, make no mistake about that. But you and Grandfather loved each other. My case is different.”
“Do you not care about Ellen, Gerard?”
“I do. That is not the concern.”
