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“I promise to take care of you the best that I can.” Patrick remembered the conversation he’d had with the duke at the tavern, and he heaved a sigh. “But there’s something that has made the situation more difficult.”
“Yet again? I thought that the situation couldn’t get any more difficult.”
Patrick smiled at Sarah’s humour and wit. “The Duke of Faversham came into the tavern this afternoon while I was talking with my mates.”
“He spoke of that.”
“The argument turned heated, and the duke and I stepped outside. He said that he didn’t wish me to return to the estate, and I said that wouldn’t be possible. So, we came to the agreement that I’d only take your hand if I had your father’s consent.”
Sarah’s eyes went wide. “Why would you come to such an agreement? It’s impossible. My father will never give his consent.”
“Thus, the added layer of complication.” Patrick massaged the back of his neck in frustration. It was going to be considerably difficult to get Lord John to agree to the marriage, but like with all things, Patrick was determined to find a way.
“Break off the agreement with the duke,” Sarah pled. “There’s no other way.”
“I will not. I gave my word, and so I’ll somehow receive your father’s consent. Sarah, we can’t go against his wishes. There would be no future for us. Lord John would find a way to undermine us at every turn.”
“He already has,” Sarah said under her breath. She gazed into the fire. Patrick watched her chest gently rise and lower with her breath. How he longed desperately to have her as his wife so that one day he may see what lay beneath the fabric.
“Don’t be discouraged,” Patrick said, bringing a finger below her chin. He turned Sarah’s face towards him once more. “It is within our power to do this. I know that we’ll find a way.”
Sarah leaned in and kissed Patrick gently. He felt his breathing become heavy. So intoxicating was it to kiss Sarah gently, even though he longed to kiss her passionately. That would have to wait, as Patrick knew that it would have terrible consequences for Sarah’s honour if he unleashed his passion. Once he began, it was rather difficult for Patrick to stop.
Sarah pulled away, and Patrick feared that the room was spinning from the happiness that she made him feel.
“I shall speak with your father,” he said. “I’ll get him to come around.”
Sarah heaved a weighty sigh. “How on earth are you going to do that?”
“I’ll be truthful with him; admit to my love again. The thing that you don’t realize about your father, Sarah, is that he cares for you. I can see it in his eyes.”
“He has a rather peculiar way of showing it.” Sarah crossed her arms in front of her chest. “He’s always been tender and kind with me, but just as soon as I was of marriageable age, he became more … controlling.”
“And can you blame him?” Patrick asked. “He wants the best for you.”
Sarah gazed into Patrick’s eyes. “Then why can’t he see that you’re the best for me?”
Patrick took a moment to pause. Sarah was placing all her trust in him, and Patrick needed to search himself to ensure that he was worthy of that trust. He considered himself to be a good man—responsible, conscientious, hard-working. All of these qualities were what Sarah deserved in a man.
But could he give her all of his focus and devotion? Could Patrick make her the priority of his life for the rest of his days? Yes, Patrick very much could. If Sarah wished to put all her trust in him, then Patrick would always be the man that proved himself worthy of that trust.
“I’ll make him see that I’m the best for you,” Patrick finally said. “I’m not entirely sure how, but I’ll accomplish it.”
Sarah returned her attention to the fire once more. “I ran into Lord Kelly Spencer in the hall.”
“Oh?” That was the piece of the mystery that Patrick hadn’t yet put together.
“He’s so like you in many ways. He seems trustworthy and just as confused as you are about the identical appearance. He wrote to his father to enquire after the incident.”
Patrick ran his hand through his hair. “I must admit to you, Sarah, there’s much that you still don’t know about me.”
“I long to know,” Sarah said, leaning in.
“My mother was a labourer, like myself. She moved quite frequently and took me with her. She said very little about my birth, my father, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. I know so little about myself, and she died so young that I’ve always considered myself an orphan.”
There was pity in Sarah’s eyes. Once more, she reached out and took Patrick’s hand. “That does not dissuade me in the least.”
“But know that my whole life has been confusing for me—as though there’s no story behind my existence. All of it is a blank page.”
