Lady Putnam’s eyes widened. “I’m afraid I cannot do that, Lady Tisbury. Sir Putnam is very much in favor of Lord Carlisle’s suit and my daughter is most flattered to have caught his attention.”
CARLISLE BOUNDED UP THEstairs to the Putnam townhouse, a handsome building on the outskirts of Mayfair. He let the knocker fall, and within moments, the butler opened the door.
“Lord Carlisle.”
“I wish a word with Sir Putnam.”
“Of course, my lord.” The butler opened the door wide to allow him entry. “Follow me. Sir Putnam is in his study.”
Carlisle was impressed with the elegance of the home as they walked down the hallway, his heels clicking on the marble floor.
The butler knocked on the door to the right before opening it. “Lord Carlisle to see you, Sir Putnam.”
Carlisle walked into the study to find Sir Putnam behind an oak desk surrounded by a number of ledgers.
Sir Putnam looked up and stood, extending his hand to Carlisle. “Lord Carlisle, I wasn’t expecting you. What brings you around today?”
“I want to discuss an urgent matter with you.”
“Please have a seat. May I pour you a drink?”
Carlisle nodded. “Brandy.”
Sir Putnam went to the sideboard and poured two drinks. He handed one to Carlisle and retook his seat behind the desk. “What’s so urgent, my lord?”
Carlisle downed his brandy in one gulp, relishing the burn traveling down his throat. He needed to get on with this matter—he was running out of time to turn his finances around. “I wish to marry your daughter, Miss Putnam.”
“We are, of course, flattered by your attention. Have you made your feelings known to her?”
Carlisle shook his head. “No. I wanted to secure your blessing for the match first.”
“I’m very happy to give my permission for you to propose,” Sir Putnam said.
“ I would very much like to talk to your daughter. That is, if she is at home.”
“She will be home soon.”
“Good. Once Miss Putnam agrees to marry me, I will secure a special license, and we can be married by the end of the week.”
“No.”
“No? What do you mean no?”
Sir Putnam took a sip of his brandy. “No, there will be no quick marriage. I want the banns read so there’s no hint of a scandal. My daughter is a sensitive young woman, and I won’t have her reputation damaged by rushing into marriage .”
“Sir Putnam, I assure you there will be no scandal. Many in thetonmarry by special license.”
“I’m aware of that, Lord Carlisle, but that will not happen with my daughter. I must stand firm on this.”
Carlisle hadn’t foreseen this complication and wondered how he could stretch his meager funds for another three weeks. “As you wish, Sir Putnam,” he said. “I will have my solicitor meet with yours to work out the marriage contract.”
“Excellent.”
Carlisle stood, and he and Sir Putnam walked out into the hallway. As he was gathering his hat and walking stick from the butler, Miss Putnam and her mother arrived home.
“Ladies, what a pleasure to run into you,” he said with a bow. “Miss Putnam, may I have a word with you in private?”
Miss Putnam looked at her father and he nodded his permission.
