Page 76 of Love Wasn’t Built in a Day

“Lady Henrietta has a fine eye for detail, and she views things through the lens of her own inimitable experience. If not for her, I fear I would have had many unhappy ladies of the ton cursing my name for not providing adequately for their needs. Henrietta made me see that their opinion is just as valuable to me as those of the men I hope will be my future patrons. She has opened my eyes to a great many things, and I am constantly surprised by her cleverness and ingenuity.”

Thankfully, he did not mention the scheme she had come up with to trap their thief, which Grandmama would not have approved of. She was liberal minded to quite a shocking degree, but even she would have drawn the line at catching criminals.

“You welcomed her criticism?” Grandmama asked, unable to hide her disbelief.

Gideon chuckled ruefully. “Welcomed is rather an overstatement,” he said, slanting a glance at Hetty that made her grin. “However, I am not so arrogant as to dismiss good advice when I hear it. No matter if it is offered by a provoking and beautiful woman who is determined to vex me.”

Grandmama smiled, turning her attention to Hetty. “Is that so?”

“I’m afraid so,” Hetty admitted.

Grandmama’s eyebrows went up, suggesting she wished for more information. Hetty sighed.

“Well, he thought I was a frivolous ninny who thought of nothing but dancing and society,” she said, remembering the way he had made her feel during those early meetings.

“That’s a little harsh,” Gideon said, darting anxious glances between her and her grandmother.

Grandmama Langley only laughed, though. “Ah, Hetty. You are very much like me, and you, young man, are taking on more of a challenge than you presently understand. Are you certain you are up to it?”

There was a stunned silence as they all heard the implication in Grandmama’s words. She liked him.

Gideon cleared his throat. “Ma’am, I have not the slightest doubt that your granddaughter will turn my hair grey before its time, and that we will lock horns occasionally, but I have the greatest respect for her intelligence and her strength of mind. I will never trample her opinions or bully her into submission. She is simply the most remarkable woman I have ever known, and I will do all in my power to see her happy.”

Hetty’s cheeks flushed, a warm glow of joy illuminating her from the inside out at his words. Beside her, Cilly gave a wistful little sigh and reached for her hand. Hetty squeezed it as they watched Grandmama for her reaction.

She smiled at Gideon’s words but then grew serious. “The duke will never accept you.” Her words were stark and undeniable and Hetty’s breath caught.

The hope in Gideon’s eyes dimmed, and he nodded.

“He is a snob, and he has ambitions for his daughters which you cannot possibly fulfil. If you marry her, it’s likely he will cut ties altogether.” She directed a glance at Hetty as she said this.

Hetty put up her chin. “He may go to the devil.”

Gideon nodded and looked at Hetty, smiling at her with regret. “It changes nothing for me, love, if you’re still willing to wait. I promise I’ll work all hours until I am in a position to wed you.”

“I know that, and you know I’ll wait,” Hetty replied, though her voice quavered, for she did not want to wait. She wanted her life with Gideon to begin now, this moment. She ever was spoilt, though.

“However—”

Everyone turned to stare at Grandmama Langley, who looked between them, her expression grave.

“Your father forbade me from giving you certain information, Hetty, and Cilly, this applies to you too.”

Cilly sat up straighter, listening attentively.

“I agreed to keep the information to myself, for I too feared it might induce you to make—shall we say — rash decisions. However, I know Cilly is a sensible creature, and I like your young man, Hetty. Despite his connections, I believe he will make you a fine husband, and so I shall tell you this. Your mama left you both fifteen thousand pounds in her will, to be given to you upon your marriage. It’s not the fifty thousand of your dowries, but it is enough to see you wed in relative comfort.”

Hetty and Cilly both gasped in shock, and then Hetty got to her feet and ran to her grandmother, throwing her arms about her neck and kissing her soft cheek. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

“Stop mauling me, child,” her grandmother protested, though she was laughing, her eyes shining with delight. “I shall get my own pleasure from thwarting your father’s plans, you may be sure.”

“Gideon! Did you hear?” Hetty turned to look at him, finding his expression troubled, she turned to look at her grandmother who was regarding him with undisguised irritation.

“Now, young man. I do hope you will not disappoint me by getting all prideful and refusing to use Hetty’s money? For the best thing you can do is to take full advantage of it to further your career and give my granddaughter the kind of life she was bred to expect,” she said severely.

Gideon, who Hetty suspected was feeling if not precisely as Grandmama described, then a little uncomfortable, sat up straighter. He glanced from Hetty to her grandmother, obviously conflicted, but then he took a breath, put his pride to one side and nodded. “Yes, Ma’am,” he said.

Grandmama considered him for a moment longer and then chuckled. “You’ll do. Now then, if I were you, I’d arrange a wedding quick smart, before your father gets it into his head to find you a husband too.”