Mulgrave waited a moment. “If you request permission to marry my sister, it will be denied.” He settled back, apparently convinced that was all to be said on the matter.
“Your sister is beyond the age of needing your consent.”
Amazingly enough, the man seemed surprised. Either he was such a neglectful brother that he didn’t know his own sister’s age, or he thought Nick would be chased off so easily. Not for a minute.
Mulgrave cleared his throat. “That is no matter. My sister, Lady Pamela comes from a reputable family who loves her and does not want to see her banished from Society.”
Did the man think Nick knew so little of the woman he planned to marry that he didn’t know she was ‘invited’ to leave her brother’s house—and Society—three years before? “Is that right?”
Mulgrave waved his hand in dismissal. “She had a minor falling out with my wife and decided a move to Bath would suit her better.” He leaned in, but Nick stayed where he was. “Lady Mulgrave has seen the error of her ways and wants to present Pamela to Society again.”
The conversation was preposterous and tedious, and it was time for it to come to an end. “I’m afraid I cannot honor your wishes. I love Pamela and I plan to ask her to marry me.”
Instead of the expected angry outburst, Mulgrave looked at him with pity. “You love her, don’t you?”
“With all my heart.”
“If you are the man you claim to be, and you love her with all your heart you will let her go.” Mulgrave fisted his hand on the arm of the chair. “You will ruin her life.” His voice rose, attracting some attention from those nearby. “She will not be welcomed in the circles into which she was born. You might think it doesn’t matter to her, but once she has children who are shunned by her own people it will make her miserable.”
Nick sucked in a deep breath. The man was good. He knew the one argument that would sway him. Pamela unhappy because her children were not accepted. Because her husband, no matter how far he removed himself from his childhood, would cast a shadow on his children. Their children.
Hadn’t Pamela grown up with the darkness of not being able to speak without stuttering? Did he really want to see her suffer again when her own children cried for being left out, for being made fun of?
He knew instantly that the sinking feeling in his stomach was his conscience telling him to do the right thing. He had always thought Pamela was too good for him, but determined as he was, he ignored it until her brother slapped him in the face with it. Could he be the gentleman Pamela’s brother thought him not to be? Let her go?
Apparently seeing the dent he’d made in Nick’s tenacity, he quickly pushed on. “We are more than happy to have her move back into our house. Right now. She is already on the brink of damaging her reputation staying with you.
“There is a morally-upright woman staying with us,” he mumbled.
“Yes. So my wife tells me. But she is your employee, and that doesn’t count.”
Nick’s head snapped up. “How does your wife know this?”
“She visited Pamela last week. She attempted to talk sense into the girl but was unsuccessful. I am hoping as a man who knows his place, you will do the right thing.”
Mulgrave stood and straightened his jacket. “As I said. If you truly love her, let her go. Allow her to have the life she was born to have.” With those words ringing in his ears, Pamela’s brother turned and strode from the room.
The next morning Pamela returned from seeing Marcus and Lizbeth off to Bath on the train. Mrs. Fletcher had opted to return with them which provided a chaperone for Lizbeth. With Mrs. Blossom in the house, Pamela didn’t worry about needing one for herself.
Nick had told her he wanted to speak with her in the library once she returned from the train station. She was quite certain this conversation was one she’d been expecting for a while. There was no doubt in her mind that he was going to ask to marry her.
And there was no doubt in her mind what the answer would be.
She loved the man and knew they would have a wonderful life together. He may never had said the word ‘love’ to her, but all his actions proved to her that she could count on having a loving husband, along with happy children to dote on. Something she never thought to have.
But then, Lottie and Addie had never expected it either and they had succeeded. Why not her?
With a bright smile on her face, she knocked lightly on the library door and opened it. Nick sat behind the desk, his back to her, staring out the window
“Nick?”
He swung around in the chair. He looked quite somber which set her on edge. “Is s-s-something wrong?”
“No. Not at all.” He waved to the chair in front of the desk. “Have a seat.” He chuckled without humor. “I realize I should have stood as you entered but since my manners have never been good, I apologize.”
She frowned as she sat and smoothed out her skirts. Whatever was wrong with him?
Nick stood and placed his hands behind his back. He cleared his throat and her heart gave an extra thump. Something was very, very wrong.