Page 17 of Holly and the Viscount
The corner of his mouth curved in a smile. “To support the lady. After coming across one of her pamphlets, I was curious to hear her speak in person.”
“Then you understand why I cannot marry,” Holly said. Her heart felt coated in frost—a distant, icy misery she could not bear to let herself feel.
“No.” He tilted his head. “I understand you wouldn’t want to marry someone who doesn’talsobelieve that women deserve a more equitable place in the world.”
Her pulse thrumming through her, she met his gaze. “Do you share that view, sir?”
“I do,” he said, very solemnly.
They stood there, staring at one another. Slowly, he raised his hand to cup her cheek, the caress like feathers, like sunlight.
Everything shifted, possibilities opening inside her that she’d barely dared hope for. She’d thought she could never marry, hadn’t dreamed that perhaps she might find a man who supported the arguments for women’s rights. Let alone a fellow she was already falling in love with…
“Come!” Rose’s voice echoed down the hall.
With a sigh, Holly took a step back. “My sister’s summons cannot be ignored.”
“Shall we?” He offered his arm and she threaded her elbow through his, lending her support to his halting pace. Truly, she was in equal need of steadying. His revelation had left her quite unbalanced.
They continued down the hall, careful not to look at one another, though the prospect of their future vibrated in the air between them.
The corridor ended in an archway leading to the great hall. They stepped through, and Holly couldn’t help a soft gasp of delight as she beheld the Christmas tree.
The chandeliers overhead had been extinguished, and the only light was provided by dozens of small candles twinkling among the branches. She smiled to see not only sugar spoons but soup spoons and teaspoons as well, hung from the boughs, the curved silver reflecting the flames.
“But…is that my tree?” Lord Thornton shook his head as they came to a halt at the railing, beside Rose, Ash, and Lord and Lady Hartley.
“The very same one that nearly took my life,” Ash said dryly. “It seems more well behaved, now.”
His mother sniffed at the reminder, but said nothing.
“We’ve civilized it,” Rose said.
“That you have.” Lord Thornton looked at her. “You said it was your sister’s surprise?”
“Holly was the one who arranged to fetch it out of Knavesmire Wood,” Rose said.
Ash nodded. “You were out of your mind, insisting it go to Dovington. She was nearly ready to carry it upon her back up to North Yorkshire.”
“Ashby,” the earl said reprovingly.
“And we have our parents to thank,” Holly said. “For agreeing to having it installed at Hartley House.”
“You fetched it, though.” Lord Thornton turned to her. “Why?”
“Because you asked,” she said simply.
He looked at her a long moment. “Perhaps there is something else I would like to ask. Dare I hope for your answer?”
Oh, heavens. He wasn’t… He couldn’t be… Tears sprang hotly to her eyes, blurring the candles on the tree into a hundred bright stars.
“You may,” she said, blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay.
Lord Thornton nodded, once, then turned to the earl. “Lord Hartley—you must forgive the abrupt manner of my request. But I seek leave to court your eldest daughter, Lady Holly. Might I have your permission to do so?”
Rose let out a little yelp of glee. She was quickly shushed by Ash, who muttered something admiring and profane under his breath.
“Most irregular,” their father said, sounding more confused than upset.
