He entered his rooms to find several letters on the small mahogany table against one wall. Selecting the one addressed from the foreign office he opened it.
Dear Lord Harrington,
I am writing to inform you that Sir Charles sends you his compliments and requests you be available prior to the middle of June. You are to travel to Brussels where Sir Charles is currently advising the Prince of Orange.
Yr servant, etc.
The middle of June! Damnation. That only gave Geoff just over two weeks to marry and make the journey to Belgium. He’d have to track down Miss Turley’s brother today and hope that he didn’t have to travel to Suffolk to meet with her father.
The last time he’d left Town it had not gone well for him.
* * *
Shortly after luncheon, Geoff once again climbed the shallow steps to Turley House and knocked on the door.
“My lord.” The butler bowed. “Mr. Turley will see you in the library.”
Unlike with Worthington, at least this time when Geoff had left a message stating he wanted to see a gentleman about a lady, the gentleman was present.
He followed the butler down the corridor on the left side of the hall to the back of the house. The door opened to a room filled with bookshelves and windows. A massive desk with chairs in front of it stood in the center of the room between two windows. Gavin Turley sat in a large leather chair behind the desk.
“Sir.” The servant bowed. “The Earl of Harrington to see you.”
Turley stood. “Harrington, well met.” He waved Geoff to a small sofa in front of an unlit fireplace. “Please have a seat. Broadwell will bring tea unless you’d like brandy or wine.”
“Tea, if you please.” He didn’t need to drink spirits during this interview. Too much depended on receiving the answer he wanted.
Turley took the chair opposite Geoff. He and Turley discussed the happenings on the Continent until tea was brought in and set on the table between them.
Once they each had a cup, Turley said, “I take it you wish to discuss my sister.”
Geoff took a sip then set down the cup. “I had hoped to speak with your father about my intentions toward her.”
“Unfortunately, he was called away. Estate business, you understand. I have no idea when he will return.” Turley’s tone was genial, but there was an undercurrent of something that Geoff couldn’t place beneath the man’s bonhomie.
Geoff inclined his head, and wondered if he had wasted his time coming here. He took another sip of tea. “Of course.”
“He did, however, charge me with seeing to Elizabeth.” Turley’s smile seemed to have a few too many teeth, and Geoff started to feel slightly off balance. “What exactly did you wish to discuss?”
Thank the Fates that he would not have to wait any longer. This was finally his chance to become betrothed to Miss Turley.
His opportunity to procure a wife and arrive in Brussels in a timely fashion. “As you are aware, I have taken an interest in your sister.” The man raised a brow as if he did not quite believe Geoff. “I would like to marry Miss Turley. The time I have spent with her has convinced me that we would deal well together.”
“I see.” Leaning back against the plump cushions of the chair, Turley formed a steeple with his fingers. “Does my sister know you are interested in marrying her?”
Drat. The man had to know Geoff had not spoken with her about it. “Naturally, I wished to speak with her father first.”
“Very proper.” Turley agreed too easily for Geoff’s peace of mind. “As to the amount of time you have spent with her, I do not accept that it is sufficient to form an opinion as to whether or not my sister would agree to marry you. Lord Littleton has, I dare say, been in her company as much as you have. That said, I can and shall give you permission to court her. It is, nevertheless, up to Elizabeth if she wishes to accept your proposal.”
“Lord Turley—”
“Will tell you the same thing,” Turley said, cutting Geoff off.
This was not at all what he had expected. It was, in fact, quite the opposite. Since the beginning of the Season, rumor had it that Lord Turley wanted to get his daughter off his hands and was prepared to accept any reasonable offer.
Had gossip been wrong or was Mr. Turley lying? Geoff had half a mind to seek out his lordship, but that would mean wasting several days traveling and, with Littleton sniffing around her skirts, Geoff did not have the time to spare. He would just have to deal with the brother’s answer.
“Thank you.” He hid his growing anger at being denied an immediate acceptance. “Do you know if Miss Turley is at home?”
