Page 74 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
“It is not a jest, Mama,” Cecilia said. “It is the truth.”
“You expect us to accept this match?” her father said. He shook his head with control. “It is a farce! I will not believe it let alone endorse it. You are promised to Lord Radcliff, Cecilia. What would possess you to settle for a steward?” He threw his napkin onto the table.
“As foryou,” he pointed at Raphael, “you can consider you time in my employ done and dusted. Leave, both of you. Heaven forfend I witness this debasement with my own eyes.”
There was nothing to be sad about. Cecilia had expected as much. Edward shot her a pitying look then shifted his gaze to Raphael. “Travers,” he said pointedly.
Raphael embraced Cecilia quickly before granting the family their privacy.
“It changes nothing whether he is here or not,” her father began. “You are one and the same, clearly. He is an opportunist. He has seduced you for your dowry I am sure and you were too naïve to deny him.”
“I would not be so quick to write your daughter off,” Edward replied. He raked a hand through his hair. It pained Cecilia to see him take their hardships on himself. “I agree that they betrayed your trust, but—”
“You knew,” their mother said.
“I did, and I did not intervene because I thought it was bloody well time that Cecilia choose something for herself for a change. At first, I watched out of curiosity, but as I saw how deeply they cared for each other, I came to support it.”
“I am still not convinced you are behaving with any seriousness.” Their father looked straight at Cecilia.
“Thisis what you want? To live as the wife of a man who once was a steward? I cannot understand it.”
“You must understand it,” Cecilia snapped back. “I will not change my mind.”
“Do you mean to tell me that you would choose that rogue over us, your family?” her mother asked. “He cannot be worth all that.”
Cecilia shrugged. “But he is. I do not even have to think about it, he just is.” She looked at Edward for aid. “I do not know what more to say.”
“Anything you say only disappoints me further,” her father muttered. “Leave us in peace, Cecilia.”
“These sort of things take time,” Edward said as he guided her out of the room. He looked around sheepishly. “But I know of one certain way to speed the process up. I would not be surprised if father gave the duchy to Antony for this. First I ask for Pincher to be removed without solid reason, now this . . .
Cecilia, there will come a day when I ask you for a favour in return for the one I am about to grant you. When that day comes, I expect you to sayyeswithout question. Do you understand?”
She did not, but she would take any chance she could get.
“Allow me to speak to our parents. I have a feeling I can convince them to accept your match before either of you can say, I do.”
*
Cecilia had guided Raphael around the gardens, trying to comfort him to the best of her ability. She looked at him and found only strength, but sometimes he could not see it for himself. She understood why he was so downcast. It was guilt, simply put.
She kissed the back of his hand as they ambled back toward the house, reassuring her for the thousandth time that he had not stolen her; she had chosen to be his. Her life was with him now, she would not go back on her decision. How could she, when she had never felt more complete?
Just before noon, Daphne’s coach pulled up before the house. She appeared on the terrace and raced across the lawn to greet Cecilia and Raphael, taking Cecilia in her arms.
“I’ve missed you so much!” Daphne cried, drawing Cecilia back. “While I am rooting for you, really, part of me hopes this all ends in tears so you do not have to leaveever.” Daphne smiled at Raphael. “No offence.”
“None taken,” Raphael replied, looking between the women.
“Is Edward in there?” Daphne asked, gazing at the house. “He sent a note yesterday telling me what he intended to do. He is a fool but . . . a loving fool. I doubt there are many things he would not do for his family.”
“Might you tell me what he has planned?” Cecilia asked.
Daphne grinned. “I will not.”
The threesome settled on the terrace steps, waiting for Edward to return. Cecilia fully anticipated bad news, but when her brother reared his head after three hours of deliberation, he did so with an exhausted smile.
Cecilia did not have the chance to ask him what had happened, because her father and mother walked out behind him. They did not look happy, but they did not look angry either.
