Page 39 of Ordered Home for the Holidays
“I haven’t signed their papers yet, but I gave the lad permission.” Earl Warrick smiled at Nell. “The two of you should discuss this, Nellie. What do you want from him?”
“I’m not likely to discuss that here with you.” Nell looked at her father and then at Nick and blushed bright pink. “I don’t want to take anything from his Grace.”
Nick flinched, but couldn’t say anything in front of her parents. “Miss Warrick, please don’t do that. You can just call me Nick.”
“I shouldn’t though.” She looked up at him, and her eyes were sad.
Nick resisted going to her and pulling her into his arms. “I want to court you, Nell. Can you try to trust that? If I hadn’t wanted to, I never would have come to speak to your father.”
“There—”
“Is no one better for me, Nell.” He said, reaching for her hand. “You are my twinned soul.” There was a choking sound from Lady Warrick, but Nick didn’t move his eyes from Nell.
“I’ll try Nick,” she said after a few silent moments. “I’ll try, but I truly don’t want anything from you that you don’t want to give.”
“We’ll talk about it.” He looked up at Earl Warrick and smiled before looking back at Nell and pulling a small box from his pocket. “I saw this, and it made me think of you.”
He offered her the box, watching her take it and open it slowly. He knew what it contained. A gold and green enameled spray of holly with ruby berries at the bottom.
“It’s lovely.” She pulled the spray out of the box and showed it to her mother. “Isn’t it lovely, Mama?”
“Just the thing for the season, Nellie,” Lady Warrick smiled at Nick before taking the holly and pinning it to Nell’s bodice. “It doesn’t go terribly well with peach, but it looks a treat against your skin, my girl.”
“I think my ribbons tonight are green, so it will go very well there.” Nell smiled up at Nick again. “Thank you, Nick.”
“My pleasure.” Her smile warmed him, and he was glad he’d gotten the holly for her. “I should go. Where are you attending this evening?”
“We’re to go to Lady Ashan’s party.” Nell told him. “And tomorrow, Mama and I are invited to the Glass Salon during the day and Duchess Westin’s Ball that night.”
“Then, if you will allow it, I would love to escort you to the Westin’s ball.”
She nodded, looking to her father for a moment, who also nodded. “That would be kind of you.”
“Then I will see you tomorrow night.” He bowed over her hand, over Lady Warrick’s hand and shook Earl Warrick’sbefore he left the townhouse and walked carefully down the icy sidewalk towards his own.
Where his mama was waiting in the foyer with a smile for him. “How did it go, Nicholas?”
“I have her father’s formal permission.” Nick blocked the urge to celebrate. “And hers to escort her to the Westin’s ball tomorrow night.”
“I have news, Nicholas.” His mother said, looking serious. “Your father, his heart is failing.”
“Will you go to him?” Nick asked.
“His healers have left that up to me.” His mother said haltingly. “I have said I would remain as your hostess, but I have been married to your father for 57 years and I would see him again before he dies.”
“Then you should go, Mama,” Nick said. “I will be fine as my own host until you can return and we go into mourning.”
“He will last through the season, or so his healers tell me.” His mother shook her head. “But I—Oh Nicky, I don’t know what I should do.”
“Go to him, Mama,” Nick said quietly. “For all he never cared for me, he loves you and my brother. He would doubtless like to have you with him.”
“He loves you, Nicholas,” his mother protested, but Nick just shook his head.
“Would you like me to escort you?” He asked.
His mama shook her head. “I will take three servants and go in the morning. You remain here and court Miss Warrick.
Chapter Fourteen
