Chapter 29

Nathaniel couldn't recall being this nervous when he met with Beatrice's father. Of course, they were of a similar age then, and both parents had approved of the match, or they would not have courted. Still, he remembered being nervous the day he asked for Beatrice's hand in marriage. That feeling many years ago didn't seem close to what he was currently experiencing. Perhaps the problem lay with Lord Egerton disliking him. It would be harder to convince the younger man that he only had good intentions toward Eleanor. Nathaniel wanted his approval for Eleanor's sake, but he still intended to marry her either way. She was over twenty-one and could marry him legally.

"He let me in, but now he makes me wait outside his study," he mumbled. "He needs a lesson on hospitality."

Lord Egerton had agreed to see him and had the butler lead him to his study, but he was told to wait outside the room. It reminded Nathaniel of his youth when he would wait outside his father's study to be scolded. Just like back then, he was nervous about how the conversation would go. Getting along with his future brother-in-law would be a weight off his shoulders, especially since he was so important to Eleanor. Nathaniel was determined to make a good impression, but he wouldn't break his back doing so. He was far too old to pander to the wants of a man younger than him, even if that man was his future wife's brother.

Rather than worry about the interaction to come, he walked down the hall and admired the artwork. They mostly appeared to be family portraits with a few landscapes of what he assumed were their estates across the country because of their commonality.

"Your Grace."

Nathaniel jerked slightly. The call came so unexpectedly that it set his heart off into erratic beats. He coughed and linked his hands behind his back before facing his future brother-in-law. Oddly, he found the man smiling. That threw Nathaniel off a little.

"Lord Egerton, thank you for agreeing to see me," he said, approaching the man. "I hope I am not disturbing you."

"Not at all," the marquess replied. "Rather, I should apologize for making you wait. I needed a moment to complete an entry into the family books. I tend to get distracted easily and lose my thought pattern, so I quickly wanted to finish it."

"That is understandable," Nathaniel told him. "I am like that when working on my scholarly pursuits. My servants know not to disturb me."

The marquess laughed. "Then I suppose we're alike," he said. "Please, come inside. Would you like something to drink? I have the finest brandy available in England, but you can choose whatever you wish from the drinks cabinet."

"A brandy is fine, thank you," Nathaniel replied, following him into the study.

He couldn't believe how friendly and inviting the younger man seemed. This was far different from their previous interactions. Nathaniel didn't know if this was a good thing or if he needed to be cautious. The marquess might wish to lull him into a sense of security before dropping the guillotine of disappointment on his neck.

"I am glad you chose to come see me today," said Lord Egerton as he busied himself with pouring their drinks. "I must admit you have been quite the topic in this house for some time."

Nathaniel couldn't see the marquess's expression but his tone was mild and not giving anything away.

"Have I?"

"Certainly." He turned around and frowned. "You have not taken a seat yet. Please choose wherever you feel most comfortable. My mother had an obsession with being comfortable, so my father ensured he had different chairs in the study just for her. He wanted her to feel comfortable in his room." He smiled. "Come to think of it, my mother had many obsessions, and my father supported them all. My sister needs a man like that."

"I agree," Nathaniel said.

He chose an armchair closest to the desk and thanked Lord Egerton when the man handed him his drink. The younger man resumed his seat and sat back as though he were at ease and not at all about to discuss a union between his sister and another man. It was slightly disconcerting.

"So, perhaps we can talk about why you're here," said Lord Egerton. "I'm aware my sister went to see you yesterday. Much of London is also aware of this. Either a servant spread the rumor, or someone saw her."

Nathaniel's stomach dropped. "I thought I was careful about protecting her reputation," he said. "I ordered my servants to be discreet and sent your sister home with a maid."

"You did well, but this is London," Lord Egerton pointed out. "Home of gossipers. Be you a commoner, gentry, or aristocrat—it's all the same. My sister has been on the receiving end of much gossip for years, so you can understand that I am protective of her."

Nathaniel's hand tightened around his glass. "I find it disgusting that people have mistreated her for so many years," he said with feeling. "Your sister is one of the most beautiful, kindest, and most intelligent women I have met. I can only imagine that those people are envious of her. They lack something they see in her, so they prefer to destroy her rather than allow her to be better than them."

"So, you understand," said Lord Egerton. "It pains me that I cannot protect my sister from words. A person can get away with saying something false and ruining a person's life—that isn't fair. I always hoped that she would find someone who could help her rise above these critics and establish a place for her in society that would force them to respect her."

Lord Egerton spoke calmly, but one could detect the anger and sadness in his voice. It truly distressed him to see his sister so affected by the harmful words of others, but he had missed one obvious fact: Eleanor was a fighter. She had already overcome these things and learned not to care about what these people said about her. However, he understood Lord Egerton's needs as a brother.

"I can do that," said Nathaniel. "I will give her the place she deserves as my wife. I know you're aware of my feelings for your sister and why I wished to see you today. I should have come to see you earlier, but I was uncertain about Lady Eleanor's affections until recently."

The marquess tilted his head slightly. "Indeed, I am aware of the situation, but I must ask about your true feelings. My sister has always maintained she will not marry for anything less than love. She saw how much our parents loved each other and wanted the same thing. Frankly, I now understand her, having fallen in love myself. It makes life sweeter."

"I agree that love is important in marriage," Nathaniel said.

"So, tell me, do you truly love my sister?" Lord Egerton asked. "She has fallen for you, or she wouldn't fight so much for this relationship. Do you feel the same? Would you be willing to fight for her?"

"I do not throw the word love around lightly," Nathaniel informed him. "So I can tell you with all sincerity that I love your sister. I fall in love with her more and more every time I see her. I believe my love for her will only continue to grow."

The marquess nodded. "That is good to hear, but I must ask about a sensitive subject for my sister's sake. You were married before and lost your wife. Will her memory cause a stumbling block between you and my sister? I will not have my sister live in the shadow of another woman. Eleanor deserves to be treated as the only woman in a man's life. I will not allow her to settle for less."

Nathaniel didn't immediately answer. He wanted to give himself a moment to explain his situation.

"Well, I will admit that it took some time to move past my wife's death," he revealed. "We knew each other for many years and planned a future together. Losing her was like losing part of myself. However, I started to live again when I met your sister. I slowly pulled myself together and saw color once again. I lived in a gray world for a long time and rarely lifted my head to see that life was passing me by. You could say that your sister represents my very life, and all I wish to do is love and cherish her."

Nathaniel hoped the marquess heard the sincerity in his voice and words. He didn't know how else to describe Eleanor's importance to him. He didn't want to live without her. All he thought about lately was having her beside him and spending his days with her.

"I do not think I have ever heard a more sincere confession," Lord Egerton remarked. "To be honest, I wasn't sure about you, Your Grace. You're much older than my sister, and I didn't think it was fair. So many young women are forced to marry much older men, and I didn't want my sister to be one of them. It's a common practice that has been around for thousands of years, but it doesn't make it right. Why should women waste their youth on an old man? Why?"

Nathaniel squirmed a little. He certainly didn't want to take Eleanor's youth from her. He simply loved her.

"I also disagree with fathers giving their daughters to old men," he said. "However, not all marriages are forced. Your sister loves me as I love her—I would never take away her youth. I hope to enjoy it with her. I am not marrying her because she's younger and will give me children. I fell for her mind before I even saw her face. You see, I was in the box beside yours during the first play you watched in London. I heard your sister speak about it with such knowledge and passion that I wanted to meet her. When I did, I just fell further into her mind and beauty."

"I didn't realize you were in the box beside us," said Lord Egerton. "Does my sister know this?"

Nathaniel nodded. "I told her about it a while ago. I wanted to know that I was first attracted to her mind before I even saw her. I didn't want her to think I liked her only for her appearance, although I would be the first to say she is truly a beauty of the likes rarely seen. I can see why so many women are jealous of her, yet your sister doesn't seem to realize her beauty."

Lord Egerton smiled sadly. "You will have a hard time convincing her that she truly is beautiful," he said. He sat forward and folded his arms on the desk. "I suppose I am convinced of your feelings, but I will warn you that my aunt disapproves of you. She believes you are the reason for the recent bout of rumors circling my sister. Aunt Helen is sensitive about a woman's honor, you see."

"I understand," said Nathaniel. "She likely also has a problem with my age. Your sister could have her choice of men if people were not so simple-minded. Not many men can appreciate a woman's intelligence and prefer to think of her as an oddity. It supports their fragile pride. I do not have that issue and welcome a woman of your sister's caliber."

"I'm glad to hear it," the marquess said. He stood up. "Another brandy? Or perhaps you would like something else? Perhaps a tea tray. If you know my sister, you'll understand that she enjoys food and loves to nibble throughout the day. I have picked up that habit and find myself asking for a tea tray more than usual."

Nathaniel chuckled. "It is rather funny that you should mention that," he said. "I noticed she is knowledgeable about food and wondered if that is the way to her heart. Of course, I know now that I have her heart, but I was considering a dinner party with only the most exotic and finest foods available in England to please her tastebuds."

Lord Egerton laughed. "I advise you to go ahead with the dinner party. Perhaps we can have an engagement party soon unless you wish to court her first? I do not wish people to think we're rushing into marriage to hide something."

Nathaniel would have preferred marriage, but he was willing to wait for Eleanor's sake. She probably didn't think it was necessary, but he was concerned about her reputation.

"I wish to state that nothing untoward has happened between your sister and me," said Nathaniel. "That being said, I am happy to court her for as long as you believe is necessary, as long as you allow me to marry her at the end of the courtship."

He wasn't going to mention that he got ahead of himself and kissed Eleanor's cheek. Lord Egerton might lunge for him from across the table.

"Perhaps we should ask my sister what she thinks," Lord Egerton suggested. "You will have a period after reading the banns to get to know each other better, but let's discuss this in her presence." He smiled. "I was worried I would never have the opportunity to see my sister married. She is rather peculiar, and matching her with the right suitor has been difficult, if not torturous. Eleanor is particular about who she wants by her side, and each man I suggested seemed wrong to her."

"A special woman requires a man willing to understand her," Nathaniel remarked.

"Indeed, but it has not been easy being her brother and trying to do what I believe is right for her," said Lord Egerton. "Eleanor has been out in society for six years. Not having a match in all that time paints a picture of an unwanted woman. Although she rejected men, people began to think she was the one being constantly rejected. It annoyed our aunt to no end. It was worse when she stopped receiving proposals."

Nathaniel could only imagine what Eleanor experienced when men lost interest. He was certain she didn't care, but her aunt would have bemoaned her suitor-less state. Getting a daughter married was every parent's wish, so to have so many years pass must have been difficult for Lady Brumley. She may have been their aunt, but he was confident she regarded her niece and nephew as her children.

"I will be the first to admit I was wrong to try and force her into a marriage with Lord Langston," the marquess continued. "Or to keep her away from you. I believed I knew what was best for her, but I was wrong. No one knows her mind or heart better than she does. I also didn't realize that love could be an opponent and that I was ill-equipped to overcome it. I say this as a man who is in love and plans to propose soon."

"Congratulations," said Nathaniel. "I imagine that the woman is Miss Huxley?"

Lord Egerton nodded. "Indeed. I'm a little nervous about the proposal, but I believe it will be accepted. I cannot imagine a life without her as my wife."

"We are both fortunate to have found love," Nathaniel told him.

He found it twice, a fact he didn't take for granted. As Richard pointed out, not many men were as fortunate as him.

"Then, shall we make this formal?" said Lord Egerton. "I give you permission to court and marry my sister. As for the dowry, what are your expectations?"

Nathaniel frowned. "I haven't really thought about it," he said truthfully.

Lord Egerton smiled. "Indeed? Other men find it rather important."

Nathaniel shrugged. "Not to me. In fact, I do not need your sister's dowry. Why not include it in her inheritance? She can do with it as she pleases."

"I'll mention it to her," the marquess replied. He rose to his feet and stretched his hand out toward Nathaniel. "Shall we shake on it?"

"With pleasure." Nathaniel stood up and grasped his hand. "We will be family eventually, so please, call me Nathaniel."

"Very well, Nathaniel," the marquess said. "Call me Grant."

Nathaniel nodded. "Grant."

The men grinned and sat down to another glass of brandy. The conversation had gone better than Nathaniel expected, and now he just had to see Eleanor and give her the good news.