George looked between the men. Clearly, they knew each other. Both were flushed with anger. What was going on?
“You’ve kept my granddaughter from me!” Surry yelled.
George could no longer contain his curiosity. “Lord Surry, what are you talking about?”
The viscount turned toward him. “Hutchinson, I apologize for my outburst. I didn’t see you there.”
“Apology accepted. Now, what are you talking about? Who is your granddaughter?”
Lord Surry glared at Thomas. “My daughter, Joanna, married this man against my wishes.”
“You abandoned her!” Thomas shouted. “You threw away the best woman I’ve ever known like a piece of worthless trash.”
Surry pointed at Thomas. “I admit it was the worst mistake of my life, but you had no right to keep my granddaughter from me.”
“Surry, what are you talking about?” George asked again, more puzzled than ever.
“I’ve only recently found out that Miss Lydia Weston is my granddaughter.”
“Your granddaughter?” George echoed.
“Yes. What exactly are you doing here, Hutchinson?” Surry asked.
“Requesting permission to marry Miss Weston.”
“You would have married her even before you knew she was my granddaughter?”
George nodded. “I nearly proposed to her last summer before my family tragedy upended my life. I love her, and I will have her, thetonbe damned with their scorn and opinions.”
Surry walked to Hutchinson and extended his hand. “I, for one, am very pleased to hear it. You’re a decent and honorable gentleman, and I’d be honored to have you in our family.”
“I haven’t given my permission for the marriage yet,” Thomas interjected, clearly upset that Surry was ignoring him. Both George and Surry glared at him, and Weston sank back in his chair. “I suppose Hutchinson would be a suitable match after all.”
“Suitable match?” Surry said. “Are you daft? Hutchinson is a marquis. What more could you wish for your daughter? A title and a love match is what every young woman desires most of all.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.
“Come,” Weston said.
The door opened, and Lydia walked in. “Papa, I’ve found some discrepancies in the ledger…” She stopped short and stared at the other two men in the study. “My lords, forgive my intrusion. I didn’t realize my father had company,” she said with a curtsey. “I shall come back later.”
“Wait,” George said, walking to her. “Miss Weston, there’s something you should know. Please join us.”
Lydia looked at her father for permission.
“It’s fine, Lydia. Come join us.”
George led her to the viscount. “There’s someone you should meet.”
Viscount Surry stared, open mouthed, as Lydia walked toward him. “My dear, you look so much like your mother,” he said after getting over his initial shock.
“You knew my mother?” Lydia asked.
“I did. Please forgive my manners. I’m Viscount Surry, and I’m your grandfather.”
Lydia glanced between Surry and her father. “My grandfather? Papa, is this true? My grandfather is a viscount?”
Thomas nodded. “It’s true.”
