Val opened his mouth, closing it again right away. Only then did it occur to him how selfish his idea seemed. He was thinking of having a wife who does not care of his scars, not of how a woman who was blind might struggle to be accepted more than she already was by the ton.
“I will care for her always,” he said, much as he had to the earl. “I really believe that together, she and I can make such a union work.”
Henry narrowed his eyes, and Val knew his suspicions about him being selfish were correct. Under his friend’s scrupulous gaze, he began to feel guilty. Perhaps, he should have sought council before making his offer to the earl. He had not meant to be selfish. But he could see now as he reflected that he had been.
“I offer only a word of caution,” Henry said at last. “You must bevery careful.”
Val nodded.
“I understand,” he said. “It does seem as though I am thinking only of myself. And, perhaps I am, in ways. But I also have Lady Cecily in mind. She, too, knows the scorn of theton. And I will always do everything I can to ensure that she is happy. I would never do anything, intentionally or otherwise, to hurt her.”
Henry blinked as though surprised. Then, he gave Val a small smile.
“I know your heart, Duke,” he said, putting his hand on Val’s back. “That is not what worries me.”
It was Val’s turn to be confused.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
Henry patted Val, his eyes suddenly looking wiser than their years. It was a strange expression for his friend which made Val all the more willing to listen.
“Arranged marriages are normal for our society,” he said. “And sometimes they work out very well. However, that is not always the case. I just want to ensure that you know well what you are getting yourself into. I do not want to see you get hurt, either.”
Val thought about it for a moment. He could not imagine any scenario in which he could get hurt. Lady Cecily was lovely, sweet, kind and understanding. That was all he could ever hope for in a bride, even if he could choose any woman in London. But then he understood what Henry meant.
If he were to fall in love with Lady Cecily, but she did not return his affections, that would hurt him, indeed. It would be as though he was reliving the heartbreak of Lady Jocelyn again. He wanted to argue that that would not happen; that he could never allow himself to have feelings for a woman who he knew could never love him. But he already felt an attraction to her because she was so beautiful. What if Henry was right?
“Thank you for your concern, my friend,” he said, looking Henry in the eye. “I cannot say that your point is an invalid one. But I believe in my heart that Lady Cecily and I can become friends. That alone would make it well worth the risk.”
Henry nodded, and Val ruminated on his words. It was true, after all. If he and Lady Cecily became friends, theirs would be a happy life, even without romantic love. But would their shared status as outcasts from high society be enough to form that friendship?
“You sound sure,” Henry said, smiling. “And therefore, I trust your judgment. I care about you, Val. I just want what is best for you.”
Val blushed. He had never been overly affectionate, even with those he loved, including Henry.
“Does that mean you will marry me?” he asked, winking at his friend.
Henry gave him a playful punch before reaching for his drink glass again.
“There is not enough liquor in all of England,” he said.
Val finished his drink with Henry, then bade him farewell. There was one more person to whom he needed to deliver the news, and he was all the more grateful for the liquor. During the trip, he practiced what he would say to his mother when he returned home, but he found that no words sounded just right to him. He decided that it would be best to just come out and tell her as he had Henry.
By the time he reached Archington Manor, it was nearing dinner time. He slipped into his study and helped himself to two fingers of brandy from the parlor before heading to the dining hall. His mother was just seating herself, and she smiled warmly at him as he entered.
“Good evening, darling,” she said, rising again to kiss him as he went to his seat. “I was wondering if you would be home in time for dinner.”
Val nodded, carefully avoiding her gaze. He took his seat and tried to look as casual as he could.
“How was your day, Mother?” he asked, busying himself with unfolding his napkin.
“It was wonderful, dear,” she said. “I took tea at Gunter’s with some friends, and then I worked on a little knitting. I also heard about some upcoming social events. I am expecting a few invitations over the next few days. I do hope you will consider attending them with me.”
Val nodded, still not looking at his mother.If all goes according to plan, that will not be necessary,he thought.
“That sounds lovely,” he said. As the first course of the meal was served, Val pretended to be very interested in the soup. His mother turned her attention to eating for a time, too, until the main course came.
“And how was your day?” she asked. The tone in her voice told him that she had detected that something was amiss. He took a long drink of his wine before looking at her at last.
