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Chapter 34
Crispin took a deep breath before stepping down from the coach. Before him stood the estate of Lord Comstead. Although he had been here prior to this moment, everything felt different. This was the day when Crispin would know for certain whether or not he would ever have hope again with Mary.
If her father still did not approve of Crispin, he never would. Their greatest conflict had been over the integrity of Lady Rachel, and if Lord Comstead now knew what sort of woman she was, it would be all he needed to make up his mind about Crispin, as well as the things he had claimed.
It was still going to be difficult, mending the break that had happened between them, but Crispin was determined. As he made his way to the front door, he screwed his courage and straightened his spine before knocking with a strong, confident fist.
The door opened and the housekeeper looked at him with curiosity rather than disdain as she had in the past.
“Excuse me, but once more I wish to speak with Lord Comstead. Will he see me?” Crispin asked, hoping that his bold request would be enough to gain him an audience.
“Your Grace. Lord Comstead only this morning informed me that he would be sending his card to arrange a meeting with you,” she replied.
“He…he was going to come and meet with me?” Crispin asked, surprised by this turn of events. He had never expected that Lord Comstead would be the one to initiate the mending.
But Crispin knew that this was a grand opportunity as well. If Lord Comstead had been willing to see him and was even trying to push such a meeting forward, it meant that he really did have an interest in recovering from the ordeal that had previously taken place.
The housekeeper welcomed Crispin inside and informed him she would go and speak with Lord Comstead about his arrival. Once she disappeared down the hall, Crispin waited patiently until he heard someone descending the stairs.
When he looked up, he saw her. Mary had the elegant glow of an angel and the look on her face displayed her shock at seeing him. He was amazed by her beauty, even now. Although he had not anticipated seeing her, it was remarkable to do so. He wanted to sweep her into his arms.
“Lord Hanbrooke,” she said, as if in disbelief at having his name on her lips.
“Lady Mary,” he replied. “You look absolutely beautiful, as always.”
“Thank you, Lord Hanbrooke. You are too kind,” she replied formally. Mary blushed and bit her lip in the most charming of ways.
“Are you going out?” he asked, thinking she looked ready to depart.
“It is somewhat complicated, but yes. I must pay a call, but not until the coach is ready,” she said.
“I wish that I had come at a time when you would be home for the afternoon,” Crispin said, disappointed.
“Yes, I wish that I had known you were coming. I am surprised to see you here. Did you send word to my father that you were coming?” she asked.
“I did not. I came to speak with him, although I did not think he would be willing to see me,” he replied.
“Yes, I was unaware that he had changed his mind about admitting you. I have not seen him since…well, yesterday there was a bit of—”
“Lord Comstead will see you now,” the housekeeper said, returning. She looked up at Mary and seemed startled at not having seen her a moment before. But although Crispin wanted to stay with Mary, to spend time with her and be close to her, he knew that he had to speak with her father first.
Only once he gained permission from Lord Comstead could he pursue a match with the woman he loved.
“Thank you,” Crispin said to the housekeeper. “And it was lovely to see you, Lady Mary.”
She curtseyed effortlessly and descended the staircase just as another maid appeared as if from nowhere.
“Lady Mary, the coach is ready for you,” the maid said as Crispin followed the housekeeper down the hall.
He was deeply saddened, realising that by the time he finished discussing things with Lord Comstead, Mary would be gone. Where she was going, he didn’t know, but he didn’t want to have to say goodbye to her for this long. He had hoped that, if things went well with her father, he would have been able to speak with Lady Mary soon after and make his case. He would tell her how much he loved her, how much he cared for her.
But it would not happen today. Most likely, he would have to wait.
The housekeeper led him to the study where Lord Comstead was sitting beside the window, his eyes glazed over as he tried to read the book in his hands. But when he saw Crispin, he sat up and was at attention, clearly ready to have the discussion that so dearly needed to be had.
“Lord Hanbrooke, I am glad that you have come. I am, however, quite surprised at your having known that I would see you,” he said.
“Indeed, Lord Comstead. I was unaware that you would be willing to admit me. Whatever hope I’d had, I supposed I had not thought you would be so accommodating,” Crispin confessed.
