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“I will not beat about the bush, Your Grace. It concerns your sister, Rebecca. Well, I love her. And she loves me. I ask for your permission for her to marry me.”
CHAPTER 15
“Ibeg your pardon?” Edward hissed, throwing his feet to the floor again.
The young Worthingham man sat calmly, returning Edward’s stare, hands folded in his lap. He had the look of a man at ease with himself and confident. But, he sat within Edward’s house and had the gall to claim Rebecca’s hand.
“I would like your consent to marry your sister,” Lucius repeated calmly.
“And you hold what title?” Edward replied, leaning forward in his seat, eyes locked with Lucius’.
“I hold no title but do possess a modest but steady income from my veterinary practice. Part of which comes from you. Your livestock has always been an important element of my practice.”
The impudence of the fellow. To sit in the house of a Duke, a simple country vet, and think it appropriate to ask for my sister’s hand!
“So, when I remove that business from you, your income will be diminished, will it not?” Edward said.
“I would hope that you have no cause to do that, Your Grace.”
“Do you? I feel that I have sufficient cause. Rebecca is not to marry you. I refuse to give my consent.”
That broke through Lucius’ calm. He sat bolt upright in his seat, one trembling hand resting on the tabletop.
“May I ask for a reason?” he said with brittle calm.
Edward rose. “No, you may not. My consent, as head of this family and Rebecca’s oldest male relative, is entirely my prerogative.”
“I love her. And she loves me.”
Edward had been in the process of turning away, but now he whirled to face Lucius.
“She has no right to fall in love with a man like you!”
Lucius also came to his feet, stepping towards Edward with fists clenched. His jaw was tight and his eyes narrowed.
Does he mean to challenge me physically? Does the impudent whelp think that will further his cause?
“Master Worthingham, understand that Rebecca does not have the luxury of marrying beneath her station. It is something that I have no doubt is not a consideration that even enters into your thinking. But, that is because you have not been born into one of England’s great families. That birth brings with it responsibilities. I am sorry that this news hits you so hard. I have no doubt that Rebecca will react similarly. But it is beyond our control.”
Edward was trying to be reasonable, recognizing a fiery temper in the young man opposite him. That temper was probably equal to his own. He did not like being defied, particularly in his own house, where he was lord and master. And it was particularly inappropriate when the individual responsible was a low-born animal doctor, with neither land nor title to his name. Edward was not foolish enough to believe that title and rank brought quality. He had known enough supposed gentleman officers in the army, who turned out to be cowards, cheats, liars, and men of the lowest character.
But rank did mean something. It meant that he was responsible for the governance of his house, estate, and family. It meant that he had the authority over the angry young man before him. An authority bestowed by centuries of convention. He fought to keep his own anger in check, not wanting to act rashly but unwilling to back down.
“It is not beyond your control, Your Grace,” Lucius said, “you could give your consent after recognizing that this match is what will make Rebecca happiest. We love each other. I may not have a grand country estate or a title, but I have a thriving practice and a good income.”
Edward shook his head, turning away.
“My sister will not spend her days helping to pull calves from cows, keeping your house clean, and preparing your food. Would you have her washing your boots at the end of the day? Or keeping your books? Would you so demean her?”
“She would do whatever she wants! If she chooses to keep my house, that will be her choice. I will force her to do nothing.”
Edward bit back a yell as Lucius’ voice rose behind him. He stepped across the room, clamping his hands on the back of a wooden chair, fingers biting into the painted surface. Anything to keep from reaching for the impudent young oaf.
I must keep control. If I give this pup a thrashing, it will drive Rebecca away from me forever.
“You would not need to force her. She will do it because she must. She will become a domestic drudge and the work will age her beyond her years. My sister will not spend her days as your charwoman. Don’t you see? How can you even contemplate the kind of life you would be offering her?”
“I offer her love. What more can a man offer?”
