Page 13 of A Scottish Lord for Christmas
Asking for a father’s permission to marry shouldnotbe difficult.
Quinn had done this once before. Yet, as he sat across from the stern-faced Viscount Pepperwirth after dinner that evening, he was tempted to squirm like a young boy who’d been caught stealing hot biscuits in the kitchens.
“You said you wished to speak with me about my daughter?” The man raised a brow, his hands steepled contemplatively before him.
Quinn inched forward in his seat. “Yes, my lord. About Miss Rowena.”
Lord Pepperwirth snorted. “Thank God it’s not Milly you’re after. We’ve only just settled her with that Hadley fellow.” Pepperwirth rolled his eyes and Quinn sensed that there was a story he wasn’t fully aware of.
“So, Rowena…” Pepperwirth waved a hand for him to continue.
Lord, Rowena’s father wasn’t making this easy.
“I’ve spoken to her this past evening. With your blessing, I should like to marry her in a month’s time.”
Lord Pepperwirth did not react for several long seconds. Instead he closed his eyes, then opened them again after a while. The grandfather clock in the corner of the study ticked away, marking the seconds of silence.
“Rowena has agreed?”
“Aye.” Quinn nodded, his palms slightly sweaty. He rubbed them on his trousers. This was not going well.
“You have a title, Lord Forres, and a well-run estate, so I’m told. You also have a child from your first wife, correct?”
“Yes, but—”
Pepperwirth silenced him with a hand. “You’ve known my daughter all of three days before you proposed. Any father who loved his child would have to question a suitor’s motives under such circumstances.”
Balling his fists, Quinn growled softly as he leaned forward in his chair. “If you are questioning my honor and my intentions, my lord, then know that I have not and would not do anything to the lass that I should not.”
Pepperwirth stood firm in the wake of Quinn’s attitude, where weaker men had run scrambling for the hills.
“Then tell me, Lord Forres, do you love my daughter? I do not agree to part with my youngest child unless I am assured she will be loved. You will understand once your own child is facing suitors and you sit where I do. Rowena’s happiness is what matters to me.”
“Then you must askherwhy she agreed to marry me.” Quinn was on his feet, scowling down at Rowena’s father.
“Sit down, Forres. I’m not arguing with you. I’m merely trying to ascertain the situation.” Pepperwirth leaned back in his chair, a knowing glint in his eyes that made Quinn’s skin prickle as he sat back down.
“So you do not love my daughter. Why ask for her hand, then?”
This time it was Quinn who shut his eyes. How could he tell this man what was in his heart when he barely understood himself? He wanted Lord Pepperwirth to understand that he would treat Rowena with respect and affection, but he wasn’t sure he could love again. Blowing out a slow breath, he faced Rowena’s father and spoke the truth.
“She is not like other women. There is a compassion in her, a love for my child, a bairn she does not even know, and though she is young, she is intelligent. I find much that pleases me in her smile, the way she laughs, and how when she looks at me, I do not feel…” His throat constricted but he continued. “I do not feel so broken.” It was true, this sudden realization. Rowena made him forget the past. She blocked it out, made him feel new and not burdened with things that had broken his spirit a year ago.
Lord Pepperwirth pushed his chair back and rose, holding out a hand to Quinn.
“Very well, you have my blessing. If this is truly what Rowena wishes, then I agree. We have plans to marry my eldest, Milly, to Hadley in three weeks. Would you and Rowena mind waiting until early December to be married? That would give me time to settle her dowry and for you to make your own preparations in Forres.”
Quinn shook Pepperwirth’s hand. “That would be suitable. I’ll escort my daughter home and return in early December. I trust you will post the banns for us.”
“Yes, of course,” Pepperwirth said as he walked around the edge of his desk and escorted Quinn to the door. “You may tell Rowena you have my blessing. No doubt she’ll wish to prepare a trousseau and see to the remaining wedding arrangements.”
“Thank you.” Quinn departed from the study and nearly stumbled into his fiancée.
“Quinn!” She grinned, her bright eyes twinkling. “How did it go? What did he say?” She looped her arm into his so casually that he thought for a moment she’d been doing it for years. Her pleated skirts swirled as she kept pace with him while they walked.
“It went well. We are to wait until early December for the wedding. I must go. I have to make all the necessary preparations. You can manage the rest here, can you not?”
Rowena’s smile faded. “Oh, well, yes, I can. Will you be gone long?”
