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Chapter 22
The duke summoned Patrick and Sarah back to the dining room to confront the guests … and Sarah’s father. She was still stunned by Patrick’s proposal, and what’s more, she was stunned by her acceptance. But Sarah knew that there was no man in the world that she could love outside of Patrick.
As they stepped back into the dining room, the guests became hushed and turned towards the three of them, waiting for an explanation. Lord Kelly Spencer was still seated at the table, now with Lord John beside him, deep in conversation.
Lord John stood. “Are you ready to explain yourself … Patrick Day?”
Patrick stepped forward. “I’m willing to accept any punishment that comes my way. I know that what I did was wrong.” He turned back towards Sarah. “But I regret none of it in the slightest.”
Sarah could hold back no longer. She walked to Patrick’s side, taking him by the hand. There was an audible gasp from the guests, and Sarah willed herself to breathe.
“I understand that I was deceived. Reginald Simmons does not stand beside me, but rather, a man that has been in disguise. Despite this disguise, I must admit to loving the man whose hand I hold.”
Lord John stood in indignation and said, “What is the meaning of all of this?”
“It’s the truth, Father.”
Lisbeth was the next to stand. “Oh, Sarah,” she said softly.
“I know that this is difficult for everyone to understand, but Patrick has proposed marriage.” She turned to him, grasping his forearm with her other hand and gazing into his eyes. “And I did not refuse him.”
“Well, well.” The duke stepped back and inspected the new couple. “I see that I’m not the victor, after all. I’ve lost to a lowly peasant. I never thought I’d see the day. I thought more of you, Lady Sarah Crawford.”
“Then perhaps you thought less of me. Patrick has captured my heart all this while.”
The duke threw up this hands. “Lords and ladies, if you’d be so good as to retire for the night.”
There was some grumbling, but the guests got up from the table, plates not yet cleared of food, as they slowly and silently exited.
Seeing the despair and anger in her father’s eyes, Sarah released her grasp of Patrick and stood up as he approached.
“I can’t believe any of this,” the Earl of Benton said, shaking his head.
“Nor can I, Father,” Sarah replied softly. “It’s all quite unexpected, but I can’t amend my heart.”
Lord John moved his gaze to Patrick, glaring into his eyes. “I should like to discuss with you later, sir. Let’s pray to God there will be enough brandy.” With that, Sarah’s father loosened his collar and departed.
Lisbeth was the last to leave the dining room, eyeing her sister in fear, leaving only the duke, Sarah, and Patrick.
“Patrick, or whatever your bloody name is,” the duke said. “Might I have a few minutes alone with Lady Sarah?”
Patrick looked to Sarah to ensure that it was all right, and she nodded her head in agreement. Jaw knitted, Patrick departed from the dining room, and Sarah watched him go. She returned her attention to the duke once they were quite alone.
“You’re making a mistake,” the duke said.
“That is in your estimation.”
“Think of how I can love you … how I can care for you.”
“Patrick loves me.”
“But he cannot care for you. He’s nothing. He has nothing. Your father wishes you to marry me, and I advise you to fulfill those wishes.”
Sarah laughed indignantly. “My father does not know what will make me happy. I admit that he wishes for my happiness, but he doesn’t understand me in the slightest … neither do you.”
It was the first time that Sarah witnessed affection in the duke’s eyes. “I knew from the moment that I saw you, Lady Sarah, that you were the lady that my mother would have approved of. I do not take that lightly.”
“And you shouldn’t. But despite your late mother’s approval, I’ve still made up my mind. I wish to marry Patrick. There’s no turning back.”
