“Lydia, please know, first and foremost, that I want to marry you because I love you with every fiber of my being, but I couldn’t go forward with the marriage without telling you the truth about the estate finances. It wouldn’t be fair to you, and I don’t want to start our marriage with this secret between us.”
“Thank you for being honest with me. It means a great deal to me that you value me enough to share the hard truth.”
“I wish things were different, and I sincerely hope my investment with Evans will start paying out. In the meantime, your dowry will see the estate flush again and help to repair a number of the tenants’ cottages.”
Lydia reached for George’s hand and brought it to her lips. “You’re such a good man, George, and to be honest, I’m happy my dowry will help the estate. It’s the least my father can do for me, especially in light of the new information Lord Surry shared with us.”
“You’re not upset that I’m not wealthy?”
“Not at all. I’ve been surrounded by my father’s wealth my whole life, and it hasn’t made me happy. George, you make me happy.”
“My darling, you’re a very special woman. I’m honored that you want to become my wife.”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted, my darling.”
George kissed her one more time, and she melted against him. When they broke apart, they were both breathing heavily. “Maybe we should rethink the banns,” she said. “I don’t think I want to wait anymore.”
“I think your first instinct was correct. I want to do everything the right way. There will be enough gossip surrounding our betrothal when it’s announced. No sense adding more fuel to the fire by giving people reason to suggest that you were compromised.”
“Of course, that really is the best course of action. One more kiss before you leave, please?”
“With pleasure,” he said, pulling her into his arms again.
How was she going to survive the next three weeks? She wanted to be with George now, and when he broke the kiss, she felt the loss of him.
“I shall take my leave now, my darling,” he said. “Seems I’m in need of a betrothal ring. I’ll see you tomorrow after I speak with your father.”
Lydia nodded and watched the man she adored leave the room before she went in search of her aunt. Much to her surprise, Agnes was still in her father’s study. They were having a heated discussion, and she didn’t like her father’s tone. He was the one in the wrong for keeping her relations from her. She would forever be grateful for her aunt’s courage in revealing the identity of her grandparents. She entered the study. “Aunt Agnes, are you well?”
Agnes turned and looked at her. “I am, my darling. Your father and I were merely having a discussion, but I’m free now. We must go see the modiste to have a new dress commissioned for the wedding.”
“Okay, but I don’t want any mention of my betrothal before the Surry ball. There’s no point in alerting thetonbefore then.”
Agnes rose from her chair. “Thomas, we’ll talk more later.”
Weston merely grunted and started pouring over the papers on his desk.
Agnes turned her attention to Lydia. “Has Lord Hutchinson left?”
She nodded. “He has. He’ll return tomorrow to talk with Papa about the marriage settlements.”
“Excellent. Come now, let us depart for the modiste,” Agnes said, taking Lydia’s hand and leaving Thomas’s study.
They walked out into the foyer. “Prescott, could you have the carriage brought around?” Lydia asked.
“Of course, Miss Weston,” he said, leaving to inform the stable master.
“I’ll go fetch my bonnet and gloves,” Lydia said. “Shall I retrieve your straw bonnet as well?”
Agnes nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
Lydia walked upstairs to her bedchamber. “Ellie, are you here?”
Ellie poked her head out of the dressing room. “Yes, Miss Weston. Do you require something?”
“My bonnet, gloves and reticule, please.”
“Of course. Shall I accompany you?”
