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Lady Bedford fanned herself with her napkin. Tabitha prayed she wouldn’t fly into one of her fits of hysterics.
“Really, this is most unbecoming,” Lady Bedford said. “Did you know it was not the dowager duchess who penned the invitation?” Lady Bedford asked Tabitha.
She nodded. “Yes, Mother.” Even though she hadn’t known that Andrew had put Lady Holcombe up to penning the letter, Tabitha thought it easier to let her mother believe Tabitha had openly deceived her. Best to let Lady Holcombe out of the conversation all together.
“And you knowingly went to the duke’s home unchaperoned and spent the night?”
“Yes.”
“I apologize for the deception,” Andrew said, stepping forward. “And before you say anything, I have asked Tabitha to be my wife.”
At those words, Lady Bedford’s eyes doubled size.
“Tabitha has agreed to marry me with your consent, sir,” he motioned to Lord Bedford, who up to this point had not spoken.
Tabitha's father stood and walked over to the couple. Nerves twisted Tabitha’s stomach into knots until Lord Bedford pulled her into his arms, giving her a kiss on the head.
“If he makes you happy, my darling, then that is the only thing that matters to me.”
Tabitha smiled, trying to fight back tears, as she nodded. “He does.”
“Well, then,” Lord Bedford said, “I guess I’m having a duke as a son in law.”
With that proclamation, Lady Bedford burst from her chair, knocking it over as she rushed over with a squeal of delight and embraced Andrew and Tabitha.
A few servants, having heard their mistress scream, came running in and were delighted to hear about the good news of the engagement.
Once the excitement had died down, everyone settled into breakfast. Tabitha was glad it had been so easy. She knew as long as her father agreed, her mother would not make a scene about the question of her whereabouts last night.
After they finished, Andrew left the Bedfords, promising to come back for dinner later that evening. They asked Lady Bedford not to publicize the engagement yet as Andrew would be leaving town for a few days, but once he returned, they could make an announcement.
Thankfully, her mother accepted the excuse, otherwise it would have been difficult for her ladyship not to spread the news to the whole of London by the end of the day. But later that morning, Tabitha got a lecture regarding her actions from the previous night. Tabitha promised to not see Andrew in private again. She would say anything at this point to appease her mother.
Tabitha bathed, then took a nap, still exhausted from the night spent with Andrew, but she was dressed and downstairs by the time Andrew arrived for dinner that night. During dinner, Lady Bedford spoke of nothing but possible wedding dates, guest lists and the need for Tabitha to have a new wardrobe. After the meal, the ladies went to the drawing room while Andrew spoke with Lord Bedford in his study.
Andrew had written to Tabitha earlier in the day that the meeting with Thorne, Sir Darnley, and the others had gone well. Also, he and Phillip had decided to make Lord Bedford aware of the situation with his son. The plan was for Andrew to tell the viscount that evening, in private.
Before he left, Andrew whispered to Tabitha that all was well, and that her father had not taken the news hard, offering to give any assistance needed. Tabitha was glad that her father had been told. She hated keeping secrets from him.
“I don’t know when I shall see you next,” Andrew said as he waited for the carriage to be brought around.
“I understand. Just keep yourself safe.”
“If anything happens, send the message to Sir Darnley in case I am not at home.”
“All right.”
“Your carriage is ready, Your Grace,” said the butler.
Andrew nodded, then watched until the servant left before bending down to kiss Tabitha. On instinct, she put her arms around his neck, pulling him close.
“I love you.”
The words warmed Tabitha to her toes. “Be careful.”
“I will.” He placed one last kiss on her lips before leaving.
The next days wouldn’t be easy. A gut feeling told Tabitha that something was going to happen. Whether it would be good or bad, she couldn’t be certain.
