Page 42 of Her Beastly Duke
“Lord Carter, what a surprise. I was not expecting to see you today. Please have a seat.” Briar sat in an armchair opposite Lord Carter.
“Miss Walcot, I know you have not been to any social gatherings since the scandal erupted. It is such a lovely day; I wondered if you would like to accompany me for a stroll in Hyde Park.”
“I am afraid I cannot.”
“You will not be able to hide away from the wagging tongues forever, Miss Walcot. We should face this scandal head-on.”
“We?”
“Well, it is our marriage that will restore your standing –”
“I am afraid you are mistaken, Lord Carter. I have not agreed to your proposal, and I merely said that I would consider it.”
“Perhaps it is you that does not understand, Miss Walcot. Your reputation is in tatters.”
“I do not mean to cause offense. I am well aware of the predicament that I am in.”
“Yet, you refuse my proposal. Who do you think will have you now?”
“That is my family’s concern. If you will excuse me, I have another engagement.”
“Miss Walcot, as far as I know, no one else has offered for you. No one else has defended your honor.”
“Defended my honor? Whatever do you mean?”
“I stood up to that beast of a duke for you, and I challenged him to a duel.”
Briar’s heart was bounding as if it would leave her chest. “Good God!”
“You see, I am invested in you and in us.”
“There is nous, Lord Carter.”
“We will see what your brother has to say about that. He seemed quite willing to discuss our betrothal and understood the ramifications. I appreciate he is not here so I shall return when he is available. I did you good day, Miss Walcot.” Lord Carter abruptly stood and left the room.
Briar remained seated for a minute, fighting the creeping, sinking sensation that threatened to overcome her. Julius had no business fighting a duel with Lord Carter because he was not her intended. His words infuriated her as he had no right to approach Julius in her defense. She paled to think what Julius must be contemplating, and the thought prompted her to get to her feet. She hurried to her room to prepare for dinner this evening. She pushed Lord Carter from her mind. She wanted to look her best the next time she saw Julius.
Otis managedto procure the bath chair that Julius wanted. The contraption looked quite odd, with two large wheels and a small one, but he was determined to get out of bed to check all the preparations. He was taking a huge gamble when he was averse to risks, but he had to. It must pay off. He had arranged an engagement party when he had not even asked Briar if she would be his wife. Talk about balls.
The party would be an intimate affair with Baxter, Emmeline, and Briar’s family. Etiquette dictates he ought to propose to her in private as it should be a matter between the couple, but after everything that had transpired, he decided to take a different approach. They had long broken the strict bonds of convention. He only wanted the people closest to him and Briar, who understood the journey they had taken to be together. He wanted them to be here when he proposed to her to share in their happiness. At this point, he could not contemplate Briar saying no. Julius’s heart became a hammer in his chest. She had to say yes. She must.
He looked around at the well-decorated drawing room and dining room. The door between them had been opened to allow free movement. He wondered if he had gone too far with all the flowers, as there were so many. The staff had been busy cleaning, polishing, and setting everything in its rightful place. Everything was perfect, yet he felt a sudden agitation surge through him, and he could not pace. He was left to wheel the bath chair from one end of the room to the other.
Baxter and Emmeline walked into the dining room. Emmeline gasped.
“This is beautiful, Julius. I am sure Briar will feel special.”
“I sure hope so.”
“You should relax, Julius. All will be well.”
Otis appeared at the door. “Your guests are here, Your Grace.”
“Show them in.”
There is no more favorable opportunity than this. He had already secured a marriage license; formal notice would be secured accordingly. He needed to make her see that he had come to his senses about their time together. He would not tuck his feelings away any longer.
Briar and her family entered the drawing room, and Julius greeted them. “Welcome to my home. I invited you here this evening to witness what I hope will be a special moment for both our families.”
