Page 78 of The Lyon's Pretty Pugilist

Agatha squeezed her hand. “The true reason I did this is for Nicolas.”

Although fascinating, that wasn’t the confession Josie expected. “To help him get Blue Cliff Manor back from the widow?”

“’Tis more than that, Josephine. I’ve adored Nicolas since Jonathon brought him home that long ago summer holiday. He was this shy second son of an out-of-fashion earl. Just so genuinely polite and appreciative. All beautiful blue eyes and adorable dimples.”

“Yes,” Josie whispered dreamily.

“I can’t tell you how many times Nicolas bailed Jonathon out of trouble.” Agatha held an index finger to her lips. “This must remain our secret.”

Finally, this must be the big reveal. “Your secret is safe with me,” Josie promised.

“Nicolas helped Jonathon with his schoolwork. Jonathon was not a good student, and had it been discovered that he couldn’t read, he’d have been disgraced. Nicolas spent all of his free time helping Jonathon complete his work and covering for him. Truth be told, Nicolas barely had a social life completing both his and Jonathon’s studies. Can you imagine the humiliation a viscount who can’t read would endure? Why, they’d have dismissed him from Cambridge.”

That didn’t make sense because Jonathon always had the newspaper in front of him.

Recalling she’d once made a comment about not being a dolt because she could read, Josie inwardly moaned. That was why his cheeks had turned scarlet. Without meaning to, she’d shamed a proud man.

“Nicolas adored his brother, George,” Agatha said. “His death was such a tragedy. And then Nicolas had to deal with that no-good father of theirs. It makes me sick. I have always detested Lydia, and Nicolas was too good-hearted to see what a termagant she was. She got herhooks in him and then delivered the final blow while his life was tumbling around him. Even from the beginning, I knew she would strangle the life from him. He is too good, too kind for the likes of her.”

It wasn’t that Josie didn’t know these things. But hearing it summed up tore at her heart. She tried to close her gaping mouth, but it was pointless because it just popped open again.

“Josephine, do you understand now? Nicolas is going to spend the rest of his life trying to fix the mess his forefathers have made of their lands and wealth. That horrible old home decaying around them. No woman in the aristocracy would tolerate such a thing. Why shouldn’t he have a woman by his side who is full of life and passion? I knew the second I saw you that you were that woman and that you would never begrudge him his forefather’s mistakes. I knew that you would not care if you didn’t have jewels and gowns or were the pink of theton.I knew that you were his equal in everything that truly matters.”

It seemed Agatha had helped them so that two individuals from different worlds could fall in love. It would be a lovely sentiment, but Josie was not good enough for him.

“Oh, Agatha, I was so horrible to him at first.” Too ashamed to meet Agatha’s gaze, Josie stared at her emerald slippers. “But now I love him so very much.”

“I know, dear.” Agatha kissed Josie’s cheek. “Being spirited does not make you cruel. Besides, all men, even the kind souls, must be kept on their toes. You will never break his heart. and you will never make him feel less than he is because of his ancestors.”

“Never.”

The wise Agatha made a convincing argument. She and Nicolas belonged together. Josie must face this night with confidence and fight for their happy ever after.

Since Lady Davenport had shared secrets, perhaps Josie should explain that she planned to tell Griffendale of their ridiculous dilemma.But first, she would seek Nicolas’s opinion on the matter since she would not betray his confidence.

Agatha stood and smoothed the skirts of her lovely lilac gown. “Slip into your gloves and let us go downstairs and meet the men.”

Josie finished her last-minute preparations as Agatha reminded her of proper etiquette. Josie listened attentively even though she had committed the lessons to memory.

Linking elbows, the two of them entered the hallway.

Josie was too overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions to control her tongue. “Agatha, I wish you were my mother,” she blurted.

Agatha stopped short and wrapped her arms around Josie. “Then I shall adopt you.”

Josie chuckled. “But I am a grown woman.”

“Psh.Family is family, and we are family,” Agatha said. “Not just for tonight. But from here on out until forever.” She grasped Josie’s hand and, side by side, they descended the grand staircase.

Chapter Thirty

Davenport paced thefoyer as if he were a caged tiger searching for an escape. Finally, he halted and glared up the stairwell. “What in the devil is taking them so long?” he asked, an uncharacteristic annoyance lacing his tone.

“We are not that far behind schedule,” Nicolas said. “Fifteen minutes at the most.”

Davenport huffed.

Intending to prove his point, Nicolas reached for his timepiece but instead grabbed a handful of air.