“I see your points, of course,” the earl said tenting his fingers. “But a father cannot simply sanction an elopement. It would be most untoward. I am liberal, I think, but that would be a step too far. As well, it would only cause further talk and we have our hands full on that front as it is.”
“I care nothing for what is said,” Lord Baderston declared gallantly.
“Nor I,” Viola said.
“I do care,” the earl said. “I have two more daughters to launch and will not have them tainted by such talk.”
“Oh dear, that is true,” Viola said. “Darden has mentioned the same idea.”
“What if we were to all go together?” Lord Baderston asked. “All the family might make the trip. Miss Mayton could continue as chaperone until we are properly wed. There can be nothing shocking in that.”
“Would your dowager agree to such an idea?” the earl asked skeptically.
“That would be her choice, of course,” Lord Baderston said. “Realistically, she is not very agreeable in general, so it makes little difference what plan is posed to her.”
The doors to the library suddenly burst open and Cordelia and Juliet ran through them.
“We could not help but listen at the door. Do say yes, Papa,” Cordelia said.
“Please do, Papa,” Juliet said. “You know we are such very good travelers and just think of what new scenery we might view. The odes would practically pour out of me.”
“I do like new scenery,” the earl said thoughtfully. “And I haven’t been up to Scotland in an age. I have a cousin up there, Halford, who’s got a rather comfortable fishing lodge.”
“And there would be nothing disreputable about it,” Viola said. “It would not be an elopement. It would be the Benningtons deciding to conduct the ceremony in Scotland.”
“That is true. However, before we can make any decision, the marriage contract must be settled. If we are to say it is not an elopement, that must be done first.”
“My lord, if your solicitor will draw something up, we might settle it in a day,” Lord Baderston said. “I am prepared to sign anything and have no intention of haggling.”
“He is a dear, is he not?” Viola said.
“Yes, I suppose,” the earl said. “But Baderston, should you not wish to recover from, well, what has happened to your eyes, before you make your vows?”
“Not if Lady Viola will have me as I am.”
“I will have him, Papa, just as he is.”
“Hooray!” Juliet cried. “We are going to Scotland!”
“Not so fast, Juliet,” the earl said. “I will agree to the trip if the following conditions are met. One, a marriage contract is signed. Two, Lord Baderston’s mother agrees to go on the trip as well. I cannot be comfortable leaving that lady behind to miss her son’s wedding. No, I cannot be comfortable with that at all.”
Viola sighed. The dowager would never agree to it.
“I will speak to her forthwith,” Lord Baderston said. “Nothing shall stop us, least of all my mother.”
The earl sighed. “I admire your confidence, but I do not think the dowager is particularly fond of me.”
“She is not,” Lord Baderston said, “though I do not understand why.”
“I cannot say conclusively why,” the earl said, “and even if I could, I would not presume to speak for the lady. I imagine it was something she had a particular view on long ago.”
“No matter,” Lord Baderston said. “Every obstacle must be overcome. Every obstaclewillbe overcome.”
The door swung open and Darden entered the library.
“Guess what, Darden?” Juliet said.
Lord Darden took in the scene and it was no surprise that he could not possibly make a guess at what had transpired.
