George chuckled. “No. Perish the thought.”
There was a knock on the doorframe. George looked up and saw his secretary standing there. “My lord, the Duke of Swynford is here to see you.”
Nicholas’s eyebrows shot up. “Swynford? That’s… unexpected.”
“Agreed, but I admit I am curious. Show him in, Drake.”
George couldn’t imagine why Swynford was coming to see him, although he had just enough time to get excited about his presence here. Swynford was wealthy and powerful and related to the king, after all. George felt his heart flutter with excitement wondering what Swynford could want.
George’s secretary brought Swynford to the door. George had forgotten what a big man Swynford was. He was tall and athletic, but more than that, he had the sort of confident presence that made him seem even larger.
George stood. Swynford met his gaze and then turned toward Nicholas. Nicholas introduced himself and then said, “I’d better be going. I have a meeting with Lord Castlereigh about some spot of bother in Ireland.” Nicholas saw himself out.
Swynford approached George’s desk. “My lord, I’ve come to you today because—”
“Please have a seat, Your Grace.” In truth, Swynford had about eight inches on George’s height and two stone on his weight, which made him nervous. At least when they were seated, they were close to the same height.
Swynford sat across the desk from George and waited for a moment before he said, “This feels more awkward than I expected it to.”
George was confused now. “I apologize, Your Grace, but I am at a loss as to why you are here. Are you certain you meant to meet withme?”
“Yes. I’ve come to speak about Lady Adele.”
That had not been what George had been expecting. What could a man like Swynford possibly want with Adele? Did his mother need a companion? “She is not at present available for a new position, since she just accepted one with the Winchester family.”
“Actually, she rescinded that invitation.”
“She what?” George could not imagine Adele doing anything so foolish. And how did Swynford know that?
“At my request. My lord, let me cut to the chase. I wish to offer for LadyAdele’s hand in marriage.”
George could not believe what he was hearing. Was Swynford jesting? He did not appear to be. But how would Adele and a man like Swynford have even met?
He quickly shook that line of thought off.Swynfordwas offering for Adele? That was incredible. That was the kind of pedigree George most definitely wanted to be related to. He still could not quite wrap his head around how this could have happened. But perhaps he should not question it. Because there was a major issue.
George took a deep breath. “I must say, I am of course honored by this request, Your Grace, but I must also apologize as I am rather cash strapped at the moment. I cannot offer much of a dowry for Adele.”
“That is immaterial,” said Swynford. “I have no need of money. I merely want to marry Lady Adele. Do I have your permission?”
The Duke of Swynford wanted to marry George’s daughter and he didn’t need a dowry? Not to mention, if Adele were married, George would feel less guilty about taking a diplomatic position overseas, should His Majesty see fit to bestow one upon him.
He’d be a fool to say no.
“Yes, you absolutely have my permission. I am truly honored you have chosen my Adele, although I have to admit, I find this surprising.”
Swynford laughed softly. “Yes, I imagine you would. I find it surprising at times.” He shook his head. “I do thank you for your permission, my lord. In the interest of keeping you fully informed, I asked Adele to turn down the position with the Winchesters. Since John Sweeney intends to sell his house, I have brought Adele to live at my home on Upper Brook Street. My mother also lives there and is acting as chaperone until the wedding, which I intend to have at St. Paul’s two weeks from tomorrow.”
“That is a brief engagement!”
Swynford frowned. “Yes. And please be assured that the only reason for my haste is so that we can be married and remove to my home in the country by the end of the season. Nothing… inappropriate has occurred between us.”
George nodded. He wouldn’t have minded if it had. This was Swynford, after all. “Yes, all right.”
“That is, I have not… my mother is keeping a close eye on us, let us say.”
“It’s all right, Your Grace. I trust you. Or I soon will, as far as my daughter is concerned, I’m sure.”
“I do thank you. The announcement shall be posted in the paper as soon as I’ve secured St. Paul’s. And, fair warning, your daughter has asked for quite a large wedding.”
