Chapter 13

Thirteen

S eth downed the four fingers of Scotch Charles had offered him, then slammed the crystal tumbler onto the table beside him.

A surge of emotions rampaged through him as he lowered his head into his hands. Anger clashing with grief. His heart pounded, and throat tightened.

How could Constantine do this to him—to them? He knew she shared his feeling. The proof shone in her eyes even as she'd turned him away.

"I should have followed her," he mumbled more to himself than Charles.

"Perhaps," Charles agreed, "But maybe allowing her some space is best."

Seth sprang from the chair and paced toward the office door. "She's worth fighting for." He turned back to Charles, his mind racing. "I don't know what to say. I don't know how to get through to her."

"Perhaps, I can be of assistance," a new voice invaded the room.

Seth and Charles turned to the newcomer.

"Lord Dartford to see you, Your Grace," a footman announced before backing out of the room.

Seth drew in a sharp, stabilizing breath as the man bowed. He'd sent a letter to Constantine's father several days ago but hadn't expected his arrival.

Seth bowed in return, then said, "I didn't believe you would come."

"That letter you sent was rather compelling," Dartford strolled further into the room. "I would be remiss to ignore it, and I fear I have already wasted far too much time doing so."

Charles approached and offered the earl a tumbler. "It's a pleasure to have you in my home, Lord Dartford."

Dartford accepted the drink. "The pleasure is mine, Your Grace." He turned back to Seth. "Am I correct in my understanding that you wish to marry my daughter?"

"You are, but I fear things have taken a turn, and she no longer fancies my suit."

"I wasn't aware that she ever did. Your note led me to believe that though you were in love, she had reservations." Dartford sipped his scotch, his gaze scrutinizing.

Charles handed Seth another tumbler of scotch, then patted his shoulder before moving to sit beside the hearth.

Seth hadn't written of love. He swirled the liquor in his glass as he gathered his thoughts. He'd made his intentions known and expressed a fondness for Constantine, but he never used the word love. How had the man deduced that?

After taking a long drink, he met Dartford's gaze and said, "I offered for her, and she accepted."

"Splendid news." Dartford smiled.

"Unfortunately, she has since called off." Seth cringed, his emotions welling anew. "There was an incident at tonight's ball. She blames herself and insists the incident is proof of her unsuitability."

"I fear I have done her a great disservice by keeping her sequestered away in the country. I don't mind saying so, for I blame myself for her social awkwardness and self-doubts." Dartford downed his drink, then strolled over to the sideboard and set the glass down. He turned back to Seth and asked, "Where is she now?"

"In her room, I believe." Lady Chadwick ambled into the office. "I heard you were here, Dartford." She shot him a stern look, then smiled in small degrees. "It pleases me a great deal."

"Yes, well," he adjusted his cravat, "One cannot avoid their responsibilities forever."

"Who have I to thank for this turn of events?" Lady Chadwick looked about the room, her gaze stilling to study the other men before coming back to the earl.

"Lord Gulliver wrote to me. He told me of Constantine's struggles." Dartford moved closer to Lady Chadwick. "I am well aware that the fault is mine, and it is high time I do something about the situation."

"You always were slow to catch on, brother dear." Lady Chadwick gave him a playful nudge. "I'll fetch her for you."

"Show her to the yellow parlor, and I'll have refreshments brought round," Charles said.

"Splendid idea." Lady Chadwick nodded, then took her leave.

Seth watched the exchange, and his maudlin mood shifted by small degrees. If anyone could get through to Constantine, it would be her father. Seth well understood her connection to him and the love she had for her sire.

She'd listen to him. Seth had to believe she would.

"I'll arrange for those refreshments now." Charles stood and strolled from the room.

Seth turned anxious eyes on Lord Dartford. "I'll show you to the parlor."

"Please do." The earl pivoted to follow, then paused and clapped a hand on Seth's shoulder. "Based on your letter, I'd suspected you had fallen in love with my daughter. Now that I have met you and seen the worry and pain etched into your features, I have no doubt thatyou do."

"More than I ever thought it was possible for one human to love another," Seth admitted, the corners of his lips lifting in a small grin.

Lord Dartford gave a reassuring squeeze. "I shall do my best to make things right."

Seth nodded, then led the earl out of the office and down the corridor toward the parlor.

He walked with measured steps. His mind was so focused on Constantine and the small spark of hope that had ignited with her father's arrival that he hardly noticed the pedestals, vases, and paintings they meandered past.

Neither did he hear the approaching footsteps of Constantine and the viscountess. It wasn't until he turned the corner and nearly collided with them thathe snapped back to the present.

He reached out to steady Constantine, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Oh," she said, her voice startled, then she glanced around, her gaze finding Lord Dartford. "Father!" She raced into his open arms, and Seth's heart lifted at the radiant joy she emitted.

Lady Chadwick took Seth's arm, then slanted her gaze toward him. "Let us give them some privacy, shall we?"

Seth nodded and let the older woman lead him away.

* * *

Constantine hugged Father tight. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she squeezed him in her embrace. She stepped back to meet his gaze. "I mean, I am glad you are here, but how?"

"In the usual way," Father smiled, "I arrived by carriage."

She laughed and shook her head as she ushered him into the parlor. Moving to sit on the blue velvet sofa, she asked, "But why? You never leave the country."

Father sat beside her, then drew her hand into his and held her wide-eyed gaze. "Lord Gulliver compelled me to come. He cares a great deal for you, my dear."

Constantine nodded, her mind racing.

Seth was responsible for this?

What could he have possibly written that would have brought her father back into society? Did it even matter? Father was here.

He looked better than he had in years. She apprised his tailored jacket, starched cravat, and shiny Hessians.Father looked content, if not altogether happy, for the first time in years.

"It's been every bit of fifteen years since you left Carlisle. What did he say to bring you about?" She arched a questioning brow.

"Suffice it to say, Lord Gulliver's words were thought-provoking. I realized, after spending some time considering the past that I had done you a grand disservice. I have failed you as a father?—"

"Oh, Father, no you haven't," she argued. "You've been a wonderful parent."

He shook his head. "I've been a shell of a man, and selfish in my extensive mourning. I should have paid more heed to your needs."

"My needs? But, I haven't wanted for anything. You always ensured my safety. I've always had a roof over my head, clothing, and food." She gave him a reassuring smile. "And I have always had my father."

He patted her hand, a frown pulling at his mouth. "You had what was left of me, but it wasn't enough. I kept you stashed away without the benefit of a proper governess and tutors." He sighed. "Without a mother."

"I enjoyed my childhood, Father. I wouldn't have wanted another mother, for she never could have been Mama. Even now, all I wish for is to return to the country and live out my life near you."

"And that is the biggest problem of all."

"Problem?" Her pulse thrummed as she turned the word over in her head. "But it isn't. It's what I long for, Father."

"Only because you believe that I need you close by, and because I failed to prepare you for the life you were born to lead."

Her heart squeezed at the gathering moisture she saw in Father's eyes, and she shook her head. "You are wrong."

His expression turned serious. He stared at her as though he were seeing her for the first time. "You deserve better. Your Mother wanted more for you… I wanted more for you."

"What about what I want?" She asked.

Father turned to face her more fully and squeezed her hand. "Tell me this: Do you love him?"

She let her eyelids close as she swallowed past the tightness in her throat. "Yes," the single word drifted from her lips, her heart squeezed at the admission.

"Then what is preventing you from grabbing on with both hands and allowing yourself to be happy?"

Constantine ran all of her reasons through her head. The moniker those ladies had given her, Lady Disaster , jabbed at her conscious the way a woodpecker does an old oak tree.

She recalled all the occasions when she'd embarrassed herself and her hosts. All the mistakes she'd made. She wasn't fit for life in society. But then…

Julia's story ran through her mind, followed by the things Auntie, Celia, and the Dowager had said. He'd make a good husband. He loves you. He's a good man. Seth's own words flooded in, erasing all the things that came before. We can live near your father. Society can hang. I love you.

I love you. The words churned like the winds in a storm. I only want to make you happy. Lady Disaster. I love you. He'd make a good husband. She shook her head, attempting to make it stop.

It was then that Constantine recognized her reasons for what they were. Excuses. Hells bells, she was terrified.

She wanted Seth with all she had. Loved him completely and irrevocably, but she was afraid to hang onto him. Afraid to stand at his side as his wife.

"I'm scared," she spoke the truth, and something cracked inside her. Like a well spilling free, all of her fears crested to the surface as she stared back at her father.

"So am I," he admitted. "It has been a very long time since I faced society. Longer still since I did so without your dear mother at my side." He gave a comforting grin. "But we can do this together. You and me, my sister, and your Lord Gulliver."

Constantine's shoulders slumped as she considered her father's words. If he could be brave enough to return to society, what cause did she have to be fearful?

Father took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, bringing her gaze back to his. "You deserve to be happy. We all do. Constantine, darling, you deserve to marry the man you love and have your own family."

As she absorbed what he was saying, the weight of it all lifted from her. He was right. And with Father and Seth by her side, she could overcome any obstacle. She could be happy. They all could be happy.

"Do this for yourself." Father smiled. "Do it for me."

"I will." Constantine flung herself into Father's embrace. "Thank you, Father."

He hugged her in return, then patted her back. "Now go get your, gentleman. I'd wager he's pacing the floors somewhere, hereabouts."

Constantine stood, shot Father a worried look, and said, "If he still wants me."

"I have no doubt that he does." Father shooed her toward the door. "Go."

Constantine gave him a nod, then hurried on her way. She didn't have far to go, for Seth was indeedpacing nearby. In fact, all she had to do was open the door and peer out.

Her gaze found Seth wearing a trail on the hallway carpeting as Julia, The Duke, Celia, The Dowager Duchess, and Auntie all congregated at the end of the corridor.

Her gaze met Seth's. The worried expression he wore pained her greatly, piercing her heart and stilling her breath.

He took a few tentative steps in her direction, then stopped, his gaze searching.

She nibbled at her bottom lip, before she smiled and strode toward him. Mere feet from him, she said, "I am a fool."

Seth opened his arms, and she stepped into them. He hugged her tight and buried his face in her hair. "I don't care what you are, so long as you belong to me."

"I do." She nodded, her head bobbing against his chest. "Forgive me." Constantine pressed herself closer, reveling in the beating of his heart and the warmth seeping through his coat.

"Always," he said against the crown of her head. "I love you. I'll forgive you anything. Always."

She tipped her head back to look at him, and her heart soared at the tender emotions reflected in his blue gaze. "I love you too." She pushed onto her tiptoes and parted her lips in invitation.

Seth's mouth came down to cover hers.

As she clung to him, pouring all of her emotions into their kiss, she knew theirs would be a happily ever after. He was her prince charming, and she'd never again doubt what they shared.

"It seems we have a wedding to plan." Constantine heard one of the ladies say, followed by the shuffling and taps of departing footfalls.

She smiled against Seth's lips, then nipped at them playfully. "When will we be wed?"

He gave her that devilish smile of his—the one that never failed to cause a blaze within her—then said, "Whenever it pleases you to do so."

"Tonight," she wound her fingers through his hair. "Can it be done?"

Seth cringed. "We need a special license. I'm afraid it would not be possible to get one tonight."

"On the contrary."

Constantine and Seth turned to find her father waving about a sheet of parchment. "I thought you might have need of one, so I secured it."

"Then tonight it is." Seth pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again. "I will inform the Duke and Duchess."

Constantine nodded, a broad smile bursting forth as she released her hold on him. "Do you think they will allow it?"

"I doubt that anything would please them more." Seth rubbed her arm. "Think of it. The Duchess's house party will be all anyone talks about for months to come. She'll be all the rage."

Constantine laughed. "Indeed, and what lady doesn't want that."

Seth winked before he pivoted and headed down the hallway.

Father stepped up next to Constantine. "You look stunning in love."

She smiled. "Thank you for coming, Father. And for thinking of everything." She indicated the license he held.

"Yes, well…" His expression turned sheepish. "We have a ceremony to see to. Allow me to fetch my sister so she may assist you."

Constantine nodded, her heart full to bursting, then watched as Father strode off in search of Auntie.