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Carrie nodded. “I will talk to Nicholas, but I can’t promise anything. I shall see you both in the library.”
Friedrich sipped his coffee, wishing for something stronger. He hated that their fight to be together may come to nothing, despite his love’s determination. Bella believed she could move mountains, and while he admired her strength, he remained unsure. Listing all the reasons which could prevent them from marrying made him even more doubtful.
“Do you think your sister and Karl will support us?” Bella pushed aside her buttered toast without taking a bite.
“Perhaps. Maria wished me to marry Lady Elsenburg.”
Bella’s green eyes flashed. “Who is Lady Elsenburg?”
He laughed. “Lady Elsenburg is a friend of my sister’s. She traveled to London with us. But I never wished to marry her. Maria likes you and wants to see me happily settled. Karl won’t interfere with what he sees as a Pennington family matter.”
“It is Nicholas who must decide,” Bella said with frustration.
“He is most conscientious.” Friedrich leaned over to take her hand and squeeze it.
“He is.” She sighed. “I know he will want to do what is right for me. I must convince him that this is it.”
“Shall we go?”
She put down her napkin, leaving the uneaten toast. He rose, too churned up himself to eat.
In a quiet corridor, he held her in his arms, fearing it might be for the last time. His heart ached. Was it right for him to fight for her and consider taking her away from her loving family? Friedrich would do everything he could to make her happy, but would she miss them too much and come to regret it? In any event, it seemed unlikely Nicholas would agree. Friedrich was doubtful he would agree to it himself if Bella was his ward or his daughter.
In the library Nicholas, with a stern look on his face, stood with an arm on the fireplace mantel. Carrie and Maria sat together on the leather sofa while Karl rose from his wing chair as they came in.
When Bella sat next to Carrie, she squeezed her hand with a reassuring smile. Friedrich preferred not to sit. He didn’t want to look up at Nicholas but to meet him on the same footing, man to man.
“Carrie and Maria have spoken in your favor,” Nicholas said. “But I cannot in all conscience let Bella go off to another country with you when she is yet to turn eighteen. I have no doubt you are an honorable gentleman, but it would be extremely irresponsible of me.”
“But Nicholas…” Bella began.
Nicholas held up his hand. “Allow me to continue, Bella. Carrie has suggested that if you were to agree to a year’s postponement before an engagement is announced, during which you shall go to London for the Season, we can then see how you both feel next Christmas.”
Bella gasped and glanced at Friedrich. He smiled and nodded. “I think that is wise,” he said. “If Bella is agreeable.” He believed Nicholas banked on at least one of them losing interest. He would enjoy writing to her about his life in Vienna. But there was always a chance he might lose her. Many men in London would pay court to her. Bella loved him now. If it was true love, as he hoped and believed it was, she would be here for him in a year. It was the only offer on the table, and he had to take it.
“It will be a very long year,” Bella said with a heavy sigh. “But I see we shall have to agree.”
“Good,” Nicholas said, pleased. “We will celebrate with champagne at luncheon. But now I wish to speak to Friedrich alone.”
“As you know, our family is one of the wealthiest in Vienna,” Maria said as she made her way to the door. “Bella will never want for anything and may begin her music studies as soon as she arrives.”
Friedrich smiled at his sister, grateful for her support. He was yet to turn twenty-six, and that might seem young to Nicholas. But he was old enough to know his own mind and what he wanted. And he wanted Bella.
Nicholas took his seat behind his desk and motioned for Friedrich to join him. It might improve matters to tell him how comfortable her life would be in his well-appointed Vienna villa and his country estate. They would attend the opera, skate and ski in winter, and boat on the lake in the summer. A wonderful life awaited them.
