Sebastian considered this carefully. “He would say that a person shouldn’t be judged by their parents’ sins and that if I love her, then I should pursue her with everything in me.”
“Exactly.” James’s expression softened. “I think Papa would admire her courage.”
Relief flooded through Sebastian so suddenly it left him breathless. “You will accept her? If she’ll have me?”
“If you love her, then I will too,” James said with a slight smile.
Sebastian felt his throat tighten with emotion. “I was afraid you’d see it as a betrayal.”
“The only betrayal would be letting fear keep you from happiness.” James stood and moved to clasp Sebastian’s shoulder. “You’ve spent years seeking justice for our father. You’ve cleared his name and brought his killer to account. If you’ve found love along the way—especially with a woman brave enough to stand against her own father for what’s right—then you have my blessing, brother. Completely.”
Sebastian covered James’s hand with his own. “Thank you. That means more to me than you know.”
“So what now? When do you plan to return to her?”
“Tomorrow. I need to know how she truly feels.” Sebastian paused, then smiled. “I need to tell her that I love her, not just as Sebastian the gardener, but as Sebastian Ashford. I want to offer her everything I am, everything I might become.”
“And if the Crown restores our title and fortune?”
“Then I’ll have more to offer her than just my heart.” Sebastian’s voice grew serious. “Which is what I want. I want to give her everything she deserves.”
James grinned. “Then let’s hope the Crown helps us.”
Before Sebastian could respond, shouts erupted from the tavern below, followed by the sound of chair legs scraping against wood.
James sighed. “I must return. Some of the fishermen get rowdy when they’ve had too much ale.” He moved toward the door, then paused. “Sebastian, whatever happens with Lady Rose, I’m proud of you. You’ve accomplished something incredible, and if you’ve found love in the process… well, that’s more than either of us dared hope for when this all began.”
“I couldn’t have done it without your belief in me.”
“That’s what a brother’s for.” James smiled. “Now come downstairs. I’ll have Mrs. Honeycutt make you some supper. Tomorrow you ride back to claim your future.”
The weight that had been pressing on his chest for days was finally gone. James understood. James approved. More than that, his brother had helped him see that their father would have approved too.
Tomorrow, he would return to Wentworth Manor and lay his heart bare. Whatever Rose’s answer might be, he would face it knowing he had his family’s blessing and his father’s memory guiding him forward.
Chapter Twenty
It was nearlynoon by the time they reached Brighton, the carriage lurching over uneven cobblestones. Rose’s stomach churned, whether from the rough ride or her nerves, she couldn’t say.
“Would you like the windows open?” Mr. Hale asked gently. “The sea air might help.”
She nodded, and he pulled back the covering. Salt-tinged wind rushed in, carrying the sounds of a bustling port—vendors calling their wares, cart wheels clattering, dockhands shouting. Having spent most of her life in the countryside’s quiet embrace, the city’s pulse agitated her.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
“It’s rather jarring.” She pressed her hands together to still their trembling.
He smiled. “We’re accustomed to quiet. You’ll adjust.”
The carriage turned onto a narrower street lined with taverns and boarding houses. Rose’s heart hammered against her ribs. “Will we be able to find Sebastian’s tavern?”
“It’s called the Stag & Anchor,” Hale said, peering out the window. “Ah, there it is now.”
He rapped against the carriage roof, and they lurched to a stop. Rose stared at the weathered building before them. A tattered wooden sign depicting a rearing stag and anchor hung from a wrought-iron bracket. The tavern’s timbers were weathered, its roof patched. Notexactly a gentleman’s club. This was Sebastian’s world. Thanks to her father.
A group of rough-looking men loitered outside. One spat onto the cobblestones, his eyes narrowing at the sight of her expensive carriage.
Rose’s mouth went dry. “I’m suddenly quite nervous.”
