Page 65 of A Perfect Engagement
Charles continued. “I’m in love with her, and she with me. I want to take care of her. Maybe take her for the summer to the seaside, they say the sea air is curative.”
“Charles, you do know she is dying? The prognosis given to her is grim. Do you understand?”
“I know.” He met Daniel’s gaze with serious eyes. “But all the more reason to seize the day. I want her to be mine officially. I want her to spend her last days in the arms of someone who loves her. I want her to feel cherished. Life is too short to not be with the ones you love.”
Touched, Daniel nodded. “You don’t need my permission to marry. Phoebe has always made her own decisions.”
“Her independent nature is one of the things I admire most. But I would need to take some time off here at the estate. And there is Josie to consider.”
“Yes, Josie.” A sense of possessiveness coursed through him. “She’s mine. I will always take care of her now that I have her in my life. But families are meant to grow, and I believe we can work out caring for Josie between the three of us. And yes, you will be welcome back here at Brooksdale whenever you choose. You have been an invaluable employee, and might I say, a good friend.” Daniel stood and held out his hand.
Charles grasped his hand, and the two of them shook. “Thank you, Lord Weston.”
“Call me Daniel. We’re about to be family.” For the first time in weeks, Daniel smiled. This called for a celebration.
*
Two days later,Daniel sat at the dinner table with Charles and Phoebe. Josie sat atop an old volume of architecture from his library so she might reach the tabletop. Her legs swung back and forth, and she chattered all through dinner in her excitement about being included. She wore her best dress, and a blue ribbon tied back her curls.
That afternoon Charles and Phoebe were married by the local vicar. It had taken a bit of convincing, but once the vicar learned of Phoebe’s illness, he agreed to waive the three-week reading of banns and marry them immediately. The hefty donation Daniel promised to give to the church hadn’t hurt either.
Mrs. Howell and a few friends of Charles had attended the ceremony. Daniel had wheeled Phoebe down the pebbled garden path to an arbor covered in purple wisteria where Charles waited, dressed in his best suit. Then Daniel stood next to Josie, her little hand clasped in his and watched his two friends marry. How surprising life could be. It amazed him how the bad things you struggled with could lead to inexplicably good things, how people were not all that they seemed.
Charlotte had surprised him from the beginning. They had fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. She shouldn’t be marrying his brother inside some grand church in London. She should be walking across the lawn, her arms full of flowers—toward him. The clatter of silverware on china brought him back to the dinner table conversation.
“Oops!” Josie exclaimed. She picked up her spoon and continued to eat her strawberries covered in cream.
Charles and Phoebe look incandescent with happiness. Charles wrapped an arm around Phoebe’s shoulders and grazed a kiss across her temple. Daniel froze, his glass of wine halfway to his lips. This man had grabbed hold of what was most important to him. Even facing the heartache loving Phoebe would certainly bring, he forged ahead unafraid to reach for happiness.
Daniel felt like a coward hiding out at Brooksdale instead of dealing with his brother and Charlotte. His guilt sat in the pit of his stomach. He needed to apologize to Miles properly. He needed to convince Charlotte she’d made a mistake. They were all making a huge mistake.
“Go.”
Startled, Daniel focused on Phoebe. She was staring at him.
“Go get your girl. Talk to your brother. Work things out. Go!”
“You are so bossy.” Daniel grinned. “Better get used to it, Charles.” He stood and walked to Josie’s chair. “Poppet, I need to go to London for a few days. I’ll be back soon.” He dropped a kiss on her head and hurried out of the room. He needed to pack.
Chapter Thirty
He arrived inLondon around three in the morning. He was let into his townhome by his sleepy butler, Vincent. He asked the man to please wake him by seven, before dragging himself upstairs. He stripped off his dirty travel clothes and fell into bed.
The snick of metal curtain rings sliding across the rod woke Daniel the next morning. Sunlight poured into the room, blinding him momentarily.
“Good morning, sir. It is seven a.m.” Vincent strode across the room to pour water from a large pitcher into the bowl on the washstand.
He rubbed a hand across his face as he tried to wake up. “Vincent, what time of day do you suppose, generally speaking, people have weddings?”
“I’m sure I couldn’t say, generally speaking. But if you are referring specifically to your brother’s wedding, he is getting married at St. George’s Church at half-past nine this morning.”
“You are a gem, Vincent. A real gem.” Daniel swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “Now, do I have anything remotely appropriate to wear for interrupting a wedding?” he muttered to himself as he headed for his dressing room. There was not much left behind when he had closed up the house eight months prior. He pulled out a gray morning coat and a fresh shirt. Next, he found the charcoal pants which matched. This was the suit he would normally wear to accompany Aunt Diana to church. Perfect.
He returned to the bedroom. “Vincent, could you have my horse brought around in one hour? And don’t bother opening up the house further. Depending on how things go this morning, I may only be here one more night.”
“Yes, sir.” Vincent gave a nod and left Daniel to his morning ablutions.
Daniel arrived at St. George’s church at exactly half-past eight, according to the clock on the church’s bell tower. The entire street was crowded with carriages dropping off well-heeled guests in front of the tall columns which stood sentry along the front facade of the church. He spotted his aunt descending from one and quickly decided to go around back. As he gained the back end of the main sanctuary building, he spotted Lucius leaning against a wooden door, smoking a cheroot. He dismounted and left his horse to graze on some cool grass under a large tree in the yard.
