Page 17 of Papa's Desires
“They are going to fight over you,” she said, looking up from the scene, a grin on herface.
“Let me see,” Daisy said, making room to look in the crack Rosie was peeringthrough.
Cynny sat straight up, eyesblinking.
Marry her? Lord Grayson wanted to marryher?
Her eyes were like the morning sky? The weight upon her shoulders fell away and joy danced in her heart. She was not going to jail. She was going to be his bride. She wanted to jump up, run down the stairs and burst into the room, throwing herself in hisarms.
He was the man she wanted. Lord Grayson. Not LordKensington.
Suddenly her whole world madesense.
However, Lord Kensington did not share her sentiments. His raised voice floated up through the floor and she resumed her position at the spyhole.
Lord Kensington looked only slightly chagrined then jutted his chin out in a prideful manner. “It is true that I have not yet met her, but that does not mean I am not suitable as a husband and papa for her. I at least do not storm into other people's homes and disrupt social engagements, which is more than I can say for the likes of you, my lord.” Lord Kensington took a step toward Lord Grayson and Cynny’s heart skipped abeat.
Miss Wickersham stepped between the two men holding her hands up to keep them from coming to blows. “Lord Grayson,” she said, “Hyacinth has been promised to Lord Kensington and, as he states, they are to be wed in just a fewmoments.”
At this point, the mysterious man who was not an officer of the law but apparently a friend of Lord Grayson’s, stepped in. “But until vows have been exchanged and the marriage license has been filed, the young lady is free to marry whomever she chooses, is shenot?”
Lord Grayson picked up on the point which his friend made. “And how are we to know that marrying you is the young lady's choice atall?”
Cynny thought her heart might leap out of her chest and wondered if the occupants of the room below could hear it pounding. In just a few short moments she had gone from a life in prison to learning that the man she loved...yes, she was sure it was love...cared for her as well and had rushed all the way to Talcott House to stop her wedding to LordKensington.
But maybe it would not come to pass after all. Miss Wickersham was to choose her papa and her decision was final. How could Cynny ever be happy married to Lord Kensington when she knew that Lord Grayson had sought herhand?
Miss Wickersham rapped upon her desk with a ruler until the men in the room quieted and looked at her. “All of the young ladies under my care are well aware that I am the one who makes the choice of spouse for them. I have seen to their care and done my utmost to decipher their personalities and make the best matches possible. All of my young ladies have had happy marriages and I have no reason to think that the union of Lord Kensington and Miss Heathrow will be anything other than blissful aswell.”
Cynny’s heart sank and sad tears pricked at hereyes.
Marriage to Lord Kensington would not be blissful. Not for her. Oh, he seemed a nice enough man and would no doubt make a good husband for someone, just not her. She was meant for Lord Grayson. But, she would be a horrible ingrate if she did not follow Miss Wickersham’sdecision.
A memory of the discussion she had overheard between Miss Wickersham and Nurse Lister passed through her mind. If she refused Lord Kensington, what would happen to Talcott House? And her friends? Or Miss Wickersham and Nurse Lister? Even Garland needed a home and Hyacinth could not be the one to deprive them ofone.
As though he had heard her thoughts, Lord Kensington chimed in, “In addition, my payment has been deposited and I refuse to accept a refund. Therefore the obligation is upon Miss Wickersham. If she fails to keep her agreement, I shall instruct my barrister to bring suit againsther.”
Cynny’s eyebrows shot up—and caught on the rough wood of the peephole. She had never seen anyone challenge Miss Wickersham and come away unscathed. The headmistress still had the ruler in her hand and Cynny would not have been surprised to see her use it on LordKensington.
Miss Wickersham, who had previously been on Lord Kensington’s side, turned upon him, the ruler clutched ominously in her hand. “I beg your pardon, sir, but if you are under the impression that I am in the business of selling young ladies, then you are quite mistaken. While I appreciate your kind donation to Talcott House, it was a gift, not a purchase, and I will thank you to rememberthat.”
Lord Grayson stepped forward. “Whatever he has donated, I shall doubleit.”
“What? You do not even know the amount.” Lord Kensington stared at LordGrayson.
“Nor do I care. I must have her for my own.” He reached into his pocket and threw a wad of bills as well as a bag on the desk in front of Miss Wickersham. The bag burst open and gold coins spilled across the surface. “Now,” he demanded, “bring Miss Heathrow here at once. And tell the vicar tohurry.”
In the darkness of the closet, Cynny, Rosie and Daisy gaped at eachother.
“That was the most romantic thing I have ever seen or heard of,” Daisy said. “And I have been sneaking Miss Wickersham’s novels foryears.”
“You must go to him,” Rosie said, clasping her friend’s arm. “Oh, Cynny. You are going to be sohappy.”
The three of them rushed to leave the closet, but a burst of sunlight filled the small space as the door flew open. The light was then blocked out again by the formidable personage of Garland, hands on hips. “What are you three doing in here? I ought to have known you would be up to trouble. And on your wedding day too. Now, show me why all of you are in here of allplaces.”
Garland pushed them back into the confined space and it was too much for the weakened floor of the old manor house. With a crash, the four young women broke through the floor and landed in a heap in the middle of Miss Wickersham’s study. The three younger girls were tangled in each other. Somehow, Garland had fallen on achair.
“Oh, Miss Wickersham, my apologies. I have broken the naughtychair.”
