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“I understand.”
“Return to Anmore and tell them to disband immediately,” Corbyn ordered. “If any of the coal workers strike, then the members of the trade union will be arrested at once.”
“I can agree to that.”
“But you will have to ride out,” Corbyn said. “I want my coach back.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
Corbyn cocked his head. “Now that that is resolved,” he started, “how are you going to win back this young woman?”
“I’m not,” Guy replied.
“Whyever not?” Corbyn asked.
“She is an heiress, and I am…” His words trailed off as he tried to think of the right words. “I am no one.”
Corbyn straightened from the windowsill. “You are an agent of the Crown. That means something.”
“Regardless, I work for my income, and am not worthy of Miss Locke.”
“I work for my living,” Corbyn remarked. “Does that mean I am not worthy of my wife?”
“No, but you are the son of a duke.”
Corbyn huffed. “Let me give you a piece of advice,” he said. “No man is truly ever worthy of his wife, no matter his lineage.”
“It’s true,” Hawthorne chimed in.
“How is that possible?” Guy asked.
“If you are lucky enough to marry the woman you love, then you must cherish her, proving to her how much you care for her,” Corbyn advised.
“I understand, but Miss Locke will never forgive me for deceiving her,” Guy said.
“Perhaps, but shouldn’t you give her the chance to make that decision?” Hawthorne asked.
Guy shook his head. “It doesn’t matter if she does, I could never make her happy.”
“Why?” Corbyn asked.
“I have nothing in this world to offer her,” he declared. “I work just to survive. I live in a ramshackle home, and all my extra money goes towards my mother’s medical expenses.”
Corbyn lifted his brow. “And?”
“I am no gentleman!”
“You were educated as one,” Hawthorne reminded him.
“Yes, and I had to drop out to care for my sister and mother.”
Hawthorne gave him a pointed look. “You did the honorable thing.”
“None of this matters,” Guy said. “Miss Locke will never accept me for who I truly am. It is a waste to even think differently.”
“Why do you believe that is?” Corbyn asked.
“Even when I was with the other students at Eton and Cambridge, I was never one of their peers,” Guy replied. “I was always beneath them.”
