Page 29 of The Misfortunate Miss Farthington
“About what?” his wife asked.
“Mother,” Tessa said. “This is what I want.”
Her parents’ displeasure meant nothing to him, not when she spoke so calm and sure. This would happen. They would be together—and happily so—whether they received permission or not.
Perhaps her father saw the determination in his eyes because some of his anger seemed to fade into resignation. “I certainly hope you know what you’re about, Mr. Grant.”
“I do,” he said. “I’ve never been more certain. You see, my lord…” He stopped. “Actually, pardon me, but your daughter deserves to hear this from me first.”
He turned to face Tessa directly, drinking in the sight of her smile. “Tessa, I love you. I love you madly, with all my heart and soul.”
He heard her gasp, and her mother’s squeak of alarm, but he turned back to her father before either could speak. “I love your daughter, my lord. And I will do whatever it takes to make her happy.”
The older man’s brows drew down. “And you think you can do that?”
Before Richard could say that he would spend the rest of his life trying, Tessa piped up, “I know he can.”
She slid her gloved hand into his, and his heart slammed against his ribcage at the love that was written all over her beautiful features. He kept his gaze pinned on her as he answered her father. “I will do my very best, my lord. But I can assure you that I will love her and provide for her and spend my days attempting to be worthy of her.”
“You already are,” she whispered.
“I see,” her father said stiffly.
“But…but…” Her mother flailed her arms a bit, her eyes wide with horror. “What about Lord Yardley?”
Everyone ignored her.
Her father drew in a deep breath and leveled Richard with a glare. “It would seem I’d be setting myself up for more scandal if I tried to prevent this.”
The older spoke some more about how he was being put in a difficult spot, and his wife continued to voice protests that went ignored. But in the end, it was clear permission would be granted—if grudgingly. After they walked away, and he was left alone with Tessa, none of that mattered.
All that mattered was here, right in front of him.
And he still ached to hold her in his arms. The first strains of a waltz began and he held out a hand. “May I have this dance?”
Once more she slid her hand into his and smiled up at him shyly as he led her onto the dance floor.
There was still so much to say, so much to work out and discuss. But for a long moment, he reveled in the feel of her in his arms, and none of that mattered in the slightest.
When she finally spoke, her dark eyes glittered with emotion. “I love you too, you know.”
His hand on her waist pulled her closer, but still not nearly close enough for his liking. “You don’t have to say that. I know it’s too soon and—”
“Richard.”
“Yes?”
She smiled. “I love you.”
He was so thoroughly humbled that for a long moment he couldn’t speak. “I meant what I said to your father. I mean to do everything I can to give you the life you deserve.”
He caught a flicker of irritation in her eyes. “I told you, I don’t need wealth and status—”
“I know,” he said. “And I believe you. And as investors and teachers at the School of Charm, I can’t guarantee that we’ll ever have the sort of fortune an earl could provide, but we will make enough to have a family and a home and—”
“Richard!” She stopped dancing. For the first time since he’d met her, his poised, charming, adorable love was so flustered she caused a small scene on the dance floor as the other couples danced around them.
He couldn’t have cared less, he was too enraptured by the swirl of emotions that darkened her gaze and made her lips part with happiness. “Are you saying…”
