Page 107 of Miss Delancey’s Tragicomedy

“Good for him!” Dessie cheered.

“Barrington was furious, naturally, but Hayworth stood firm while the old man dressed him down.”

“Did he, by God?” Robin looked surprised but pleased. “And Lady Elizabeth?”

“No waterworks, though I suspect she came close. Lady Barrington was sobbing—with relief, I think, but it was hard to tell. When Barrington finished yelling at Hayworth, the fellow flat-out asked for her hand, as if he hadn’t even noticed the vituperation being thrown at him.”

“Bold move,” Daddy put in, bobbing his head with approval.

“Yes, and it worked.” Lynch smiled. “I left shortly, and the men were removing to Barrington’s study to discuss terms. Hayworth wants you to be at the wedding, Robin. To show the ton there are no hard feelings.”

Robin laughed. “Gladly. But I’ll put it to him they should also invite Lady Townes and Sir George.”

Ophelia’s startlement was echoed in the faces of Lynch, Dessie, and Eli.

“You can’t be serious,” Lynch said.

“Michael Derry’s idea, taken to an extreme. It will tamp down any remaining scandal. Though the gossips will have fodder for months, especially when I take over the lease to their London home and bar George from it.” While they were all digesting that, Robin stepped close and took hold of Ophelia’s elbow. “Now, I’d like to make a bold move of my own. Mr. Delancey, would you come with me for a few words? Lynch, may we borrow your study?”

Ophelia began to tremble with excitement. This was real. Her wildest dream? A love match. She wouldn’t care if Robin was a stevedore. And it wouldn’t matter to him if she was penniless.

“Oh?” Daddy said. His expression clouded. Ophelia watched his gaze slide from her face to her elbow and Robin’s hand. Then, he half-turned and gestured to Eli. “What have you to say about this, Elias?”

What on earth? She felt Robin’s hand tighten, and he pulled her against him. Possessively.

Ophelia’s tutor had been smiling throughout the discussion, but now, with the whole gathering’s attention, his jaw dropped, aghast. “Alfred, I think that you may be laboring under a misapprehension.”

“A misapprehension?” He frowned. “You won’t fight for her?”

“Fight Robin?” Eli pulled his hands behind his back as though to hide them. “Certainly not!”

Daddy glowered. “But dash it all! I had made my peace with the idea! She doesn’t need to wed a peer. I want her to be happy. And she’s dotty for you!”

“Ah. I see.” Eli’s eyes dulled and his face went pale. He didn’t look at Ophelia or Robin. “Then, of course, our arrangement is off?”

“What arrangement?” Robin demanded. “Eli? What arrangement?”

Eli grimaced. “Don’t be an idiot, Robin.” Then he let out a long sigh. “I had no idea that’s what Alfred thought. If I had, I would have set him straight. Ophelia is not ‘dotty.’ Not for me, at any rate.”

Dessie burst into giggles. “It’s like watching a stage farce.”

After a long moment, Daddy shook his head and said, “The offer still stands.”

“Daddy, what are you talking about?” Ophelia asked.

“I asked Elias to come with Grace and myself, and you, I thought, when we return to the States. To perform an American tour. A real one, not simply a few house parties like Vanderpoel set up. I’m on the board at Steinway Hall, and I have connections up and down the seaboard. He’ll be the year’s great sensation, mark my words.”

“But by your sponsorship, you meant to reinvigorate a son-in-law’s career, did you not?” Eli’s smile was gone, along with his earlier elation.

“Bunkum! I want to show up Vanderpoel, the godawful snob. Last year he brought out some cellist from Vienna. Talked the man up like he was Cervetto reborn. Pshaw! I have the new Liszt!”

“This is all well and good for Eli,” Lynch said. “But I believe Trentham is awaiting your pleasure. In my study.”

Daddy harumphed. “I suppose he wants to marry my daughter now. Although if I have this story straight, he was betrothed to another gal yesterday. And if she hadn’t run off with the other fellow—”

“But thank God, she did,” Robin said.

“Ophelia, luv, you don’t have to marry a peer to please me. I thought you knew that. You always said you wouldn’t.” He shot a pleading appeal to Aunt Grace. “Talk some sense into her.”