I Shall Love the Earl

by Laura A. Barnes

  “Thank you, Lord Beckwith.”

  “Would you like to take a walk around your grandmother’s garden?”

  “No, sir, I think it would be best if we stay chaperoned.”

  “Ah, dear, you are no fun. I hope you loosen up before we wed.”

  “We will not wed until you properly court me, my lord.”

  “Is that not what I am doing today, my lady?”

  “Do you usually court young ladies with your mother and sister?”

  “Only if I need ammunition to cross the threshold.”

  Dallis laughed at his description of strategy. She had to give him credit for his sly thinking. The ladies turned at her laughter, which only made her blush even more. Then her grandmother urged Lady Farnsworth to leave, reminding her of a previous engagement. When Nanna’s friend left, she ordered Shaw to close the door on his way out.

  “I am glad you have accompanied your son today, Lady Beckwith. You have saved me the trouble of calling on your kindness. It would appear your son has pressed his suit with my granddaughter in an unsavory manner. While Dallis has been more than a willing participant, it can no longer continue.”

  “Rory? Is this true?” His mother turned toward him.

  Rory nodded. So the grandmother decided to push the issue. Damn her. He wouldn’t be able to give Dallis the courtship he wanted to. Lady Ratcliff would force his hand now.

  “I am sorry, dear,” Rory whispered to Dallis, hoping that she would forgive him.

  “Nanna, stop.” Dallis understood his gaze and felt the same sorrow. He was attempting to correct his past mistakes by calling on her today. Rory meant to make their courtship fun, but her nanna set to ruin it.

  “No, Dallis. Not after what I witnessed last night. Lady Beckwith, your son visited my granddaughter in the dead of night. Sneaking into her bedroom through her window and staying for far longer than necessary. Then I watched him sneak out her window again and escape into the night through my gardens. I kept quiet, because I did not want to wake the servants and cause an alarm and the ruination of Dallis. I am hoping to keep this a quiet, family manner.”

  Lady Beckwith sat in shock at the allegations. Rory was never one to ruin a young lady. Why would he act this way toward Lady Dallis? Rory was the child that she always depended on, and now it seemed he'd created a mess to clean up. Not that Lady Dallis was a mess, far from it. She was a charming lady who would make a lovely daughter-in-law. However, this wasn’t how she planned for her son to wed. Granted, she schemed with Lady Ratcliff earlier in the season to set Rory and Dallis together. Now what they'd planned came to fruition, instead of satisfaction, she sat in embarrassment on how it came to be.

  “Rory, do you have anything to say for yourself?” Lady Beckwith questioned him.

  “Nothing, it would seem. Lady Ratcliff has proven that I am nothing but a scoundrel chasing under Lady Dallis’s skirt.”

  “Roderick Allan Beckwith, you will apologize now.”

  “Sorry, Mama. I am frustrated at this situation. May I please have a few private words with Dallis?” he asked Lady Ratcliff.

  “I do not think that would be appropriate.”

  “Well, either you let me talk to her alone, or else what you are hoping to achieve will not come to pass.”

  “Humph. Lady Beckwith, will you and your daughter like to join me in the garden? There are some roses I would like to show you.”

  The three ladies left the room, each one of them wearing looks of indecision as they headed toward the garden. Once they were alone, Rory made sure the door was locked. What he wanted to profess to Dallis, he didn’t want any disturbance.

  Rory knelt at Dallis’s feet, gathering her hands in his. He brought them to his mouth and placed a kiss across her knuckles.

  “Dallis, my love. I have not courted you properly throughout your season in London. In fact, I have not paid court to you at all. My behavior has been scandalous at best, and I have pretty much ruined your beautiful name, causing doubt on your virtue. All I can promise is that I will spend the rest of my life courting you every day as my wife. Will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”

  Tears flowed from Dallis’s eyes. This was not how she'd imagined the season would go. When she arrived in London with the intention of securing a groom, she never thought in her wildest dreams to fall in love with her soul mate. It no longer mattered how their courtship began, as long as she could be with Rory. If this was how they were to marry, at least she could carry in her heart that he wanted her. Perhaps, one day, he would love her truly. Oh, she knew Rory spouted his love for her and kept calling her his "love", but Dallis didn’t feel as if he meant the words. Sure, he lusted after her, that was more than obvious, but love? No, she didn’t think he understood the word. And even though Dallis loved Rory for the emotions he drew from her, she was not in love with him. They hardly knew the truth of each other’s characters.

  “Dallis?” he asked.

  “Yes, Rory, I would be honored to be your bride. And as your wife I will make it your duty to court me every day. There shall be no other approach for you.”

  Rory laughed, drawing her into his arms, and kissing her gently on the lips. “You have made me the happiest man on earth.”

  Dallis laughed. “Sorry about Nanna’s strong arm.”

  “I am grateful for your nanna’s interference. Now I no longer have to wait to have you in my bed. How long will we have to wait?”

  Her grandmother's voice startled them. “I expect you to get a special license and wed her within a week. There is talk floating around the ton about your hi-jinks regarding Dallis and I will not have her name slandered any longer. Do I make myself clear, boy?”

  Somehow the wily woman unlocked the door and overheard his proposal. Rory would have to always keep one eye on that lady. His mother and Kathleen waited behind Lady Ratcliff in excitement.

  “Does two weeks from today meet with your approval, Lady Ratcliff?”

  “Yes, it does.”

  His mother and Kathleen rushed to their side exclaiming how delighted they were to have Dallis join their family. He even received a hug from Lady Ratcliff with a further warning to make Dallis happy or else. The ladies pushed Rory away with their sudden discussions of wedding plans which covered dresses, food, guests, and the venue. Lady Ratcliff offered her home for the ceremony and reception. Everybody understood the reason why even though no words were spoken. A deep shame over his finances took away his thrill on becoming engaged to Dallis.

  Rory couldn’t even provide for a bride. Let alone a lavish wedding.

  His coffers were empty. Dallis would enter into a broke household after she spoke her vows. Rory knew that she was an heiress in her own right, but he wouldn’t take a coin from her. She could put her money in a trust for their children and only for them. No, he didn’t want this for her, nonetheless it was how things must be. Rory would break the news of his financial situation to Dallis after they wed and then hopefully in time with the investments with Sheffield, he could comfort her in the finest things.

  Dallis wanted to stand next to Rory to be near him, but the ladies required her opinion on the wedding arrangements. She didn’t care for any of this talk. She only wanted the act over with so they could start their life together. Dallis looked over Kathleen’s shoulder at Rory who rested against the wall. She noticed the wistfulness on his face and wondered why. Did he feel forced to wed her? Was she mistaken in his intentions? Did he only wish to fool around with her, not to marry her? When Rory noticed her watching him, he attempted a poor excuse of a smile. It fell flat. Before long he urged his mother and Kathleen to leave. With a kiss to her cheek they left.

  “Why, Nanna?”

  “It was for the best, my dear. I needed to bring the boy up to scratch. Before long he would have you so ruined, nobody will even call on you. You are lucky Lord Holdenburg still calls. His reputation has kept all the other suitors still seeking your attention.”

  “I will need to info
rm Lord Holdenburg of my impending nuptials.”

  “Better yet, we shall invite him to the ceremony.”

  “That would not be very gracious.”

  “Posh, he is an old friend to the Beckwith family. He would expect nothing less.”

  Dallis listened to her nanna rattle on about who else to invite and what they needed to accomplish over the next couple of weeks. She only replied with half a heart as she kept wondering why Rory appeared so dejected earlier. Dallis knew her parents wouldn’t be able to make the trip in time, and it didn’t matter to her. They never made time for her in the past, and would only consider this a nuisance. Perhaps she could convince Sheffield to walk her down the aisle? Sheffield had become a good friend when he paid court to her before he wed Sophia. Dallis would pay them a visit tomorrow and ask for his help. Part of her was thrilled to become Rory’s bride, but another part of her was left unsatisfied.

  She couldn’t quite understand why, but hoped to before she walked down the aisle and shared her vows with him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rory spent the entire evening scouring the ledgers for any possible solutions. How could he bring a wife, who had the finest of things, into a household one step away from poverty? It wouldn’t take Dallis long to notice how tight their household strings pulled. While it was an unspoken subject with Dallis now, she would inquire when they were married. Still, there was no extra blunt to be found. He needed to pay a visit to Sheffield. Rory was aware of the early morning hour, but he could no longer wait. If he was to bring a bride into his home, then at least he would make it appear as if they had the finer things. It was what Dallis deserved.

  Sheffield’s butler showed him into the study where the duke worked behind his desk. The room was luxurious, which one would expect of a gentleman of Sheffield’s station. Rory settled into a large leather chair. Sheffield offered him a cigar, and he declined. Sheffield motioned for his footman to leave and he reclined back, waiting for Rory to speak. With reluctance, Rory explained his situation and humbled himself to ask for Sheffield’s help.

  “Congratulations. I never thought you would offer.”

  “Well, it was more of an ultimatum by her grandmother.”

  “Nonetheless, I wish you many years of happiness. Lady Dallis is a special woman who deserves the very best.”

  “Which brings me to the point of my visit. Has there been word on our investment?”

  “Sorry to say, no. The ship has gotten lost at sea from the strong storms a week ago. The vessel should arrive in port in a few weeks. I can front you a loan until then.”

  “No, I am already indebted to you enough. I will visit Belle and schedule a few fights during the next week. That should earn me enough to give Dallis a honeymoon. Maybe by the time we return, the ship will arrive.”

  “Here, let me be of some assistance. As a wedding present, you can have use of our home in Camberley. Whisk Dallis away for a couple of worry-free weeks. Wilde and I will look after your mother and sister.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Explain, why are you being so generous after all the trouble I have caused? I beat you to a pulp a few months ago.”

  “Yes, but you were defending my wife’s honor. So, I forgave you on the merit of your upstanding friendship with Sophia. Most men would have turned the other cheek, but not you. And for that I will always owe you a debt of gratitude.”

  Sheffield’s words silenced Rory. Sheffield was a bigger man than he could ever be.

  “The gift is more for Dallis. She was a friend who encouraged me to explore my true feelings for Sophia. And for that I am indebted to her too. You realize, once Sophia hears your good news, she will insist on hosting a dinner in your honor?”

  “What good news do I need to hear?” Sophia wandered into the study and went to Sheffield’s side.

  She leaned over to give her husband a passionate kiss. When Rory groaned at their display of affection, she broke away laughing. Sophia rested on the edge of Sheffield’s chair, his arm wrapped tight around her waist. Their intimate regard used to embarrass Rory, but now he was immune to them. If it wasn’t Sheffield and Sophia in a passionate exchange, it was Wildeburg and Sidney. Both couples were insatiable.

  “Rory has proposed to the lovely Lady Dallis, and she has accepted. They will exchange their vows in two weeks.”

  “Two weeks? Are you mad, Rory Beckwith? How can she plan a wedding in that short amount of time?”

  “Her grandmother did not give me an option.”

  “Oh ...” Sophia replied finally understanding the need to rush. “Why, Rory Beckwith, I did not know you had a naughty streak in you.”

  “Well, Sophia, I would never have thought the same about you. What one will do for somebody they love.”

  Sheffield said, “I have offered them the house in Camberley for the use of a honeymoon retreat.”

  “Oh, that is splendid. You are such the romantic, dear.” Sophia placed a kiss on Sheffield’s cheek gazing into his eyes. Sheffield's expression turned intimate in nature. It was time for Rory to leave before the room grew any more uncomfortable. He'd solved part of his problem with some help from his friends.

  “Thank you both for your generous offer. I will accept, and an invitation should arrive soon. I hope you will join us as our guests for the wedding.”

  “We would not miss it for the world. Be patient on the other matter. By the time you return from your honeymoon, all will be well,” Sheffield assured him.

  Rory nodded and left before he had to witness anymore of their affections. While he understood their feelings—for that was how he felt about Dallis—he didn’t want to watch. He would stop by Belle’s and line up some fights over the next couple of days. He wanted to buy Dallis a ring worthy of her beauty. To achieve that, he need some blunt. After a few fights he would find her something simple but elegant. Later, after he settled his family’s legacy into the fortunes they were meant to have, he would purchase a grander ring to display her status to the ton.

  DALLIS WAITED IN THE parlor for Sheffield. The butler explained the duke would be with her shortly. She sipped on her tea, taking notice of the grand room. It held a charming elegance that could only come from Sophia. Dallis wanted to be closer friends with the duchess and her friend Sidney, but her grandmother still discouraged the friendship due to the scandalous courtships that led to their marriages. Now that her own marriage to Rory was knee-deep in scandal and they were Rory’s close friends, she should get the chance to socialize with them. Dallis had already seen how kind and encouraging they were. Perhaps they held insight to Rory’s behavior and could offer an explanation for his standoffishness.

  Sophia came into the room followed by Sheffield. A blush spread across the duchess’s cheeks, and Sheffield held a secretive smile he kept directing toward his wife. Dallis sensed what those looks meant, for that is how she always appeared after spending time alone with Rory. With Sophia’s hair mussed and her dress full of wrinkles so early in the day, it could only be one thing. Their happiness brought joy to Dallis. Sheffield opened his heart in forgiveness to love Sophia, despite the secrets that could have kept them apart.

  “I hear congratulations are in order, my dear,” said Sheffield.

  “My, I did not expect word to travel so fast. I guess it is true what they say of the rumor mills in London.”

  Sophia laughed. “While that is true, that is not the case with your engagement. Rory left here a short time ago and shared the good news. We are thrilled for you.”

  “Thank you. May I ask you a favor, Your Grace?”

  “Alex. We are friends, Dallis.”

  “Alex, will you walk me down the aisle? My parents cannot attend the wedding and my grandfather is at his estate.”

  “It would be my pleasure, my dear.”

  Sophia said, “Also, Alex has already offered our home in Camberley for your honeymoon. Can you stay for tea, Dallis? I have sent word for Sidney to join us.”
<
br />   “Yes, I hoped to have a word with you regarding Rory.”

  Sheffield said, “That is my cue to leave. I shall see you soon, Dallis.”

  “Thank you, Alex, for everything.”

  Sheffield left after sending his wife another sizzling look. He loved to make Sophia blush. Interruptions from Rory and now Dallis had kept them from spending time alone this morning. Both of them still confused by the other.

  In Sheffield's opinion, Rory needed to be honest with Dallis, and until he did Rory would remain a mystery to Dallis. Perhaps, after Rory’s finances became more stable, he would stop living his double life.

  Otherwise, before long, his secrets would catch up with him and when they did, it wouldn’t end well.

  Sophia discussed the wedding arrangements with Dallis, inquiring about her dress and the plans that had been made. Soon, Sidney joined them and when told the news she cried out her delight. Rory and Sidney had been close friends for many years and she regarded him as a brother. Sidney exclaimed how she'd known Dallis would be perfect for him and how she'd urged Rory to court her. As they talked Dallis relaxed more in their company and before long she spilled the entire truth of their unconventional courtship. To have friends to confide in lifted a burden of shame off her shoulders. The two ladies laughed and explained about their own courtships. Dallis knew part of the scandal of Sheffield and Sophia, but held no clue to Wildeburg and Sidney’s relationship. Dallis laughed along with them, feeling better already. After they drank two pots of tea and ate a plate of biscuits, Dallis had formed a new friendship that she believed would last for years to come. With that feeling, she asked them for advice regarding Rory.

  “Rory never would explain, but I hoped one of you might help me understand his hesitation to court me.”

  Sophia and Sidney exchanged glances. They knew Rory should be the one to explain to Dallis why he didn’t court her, but they also knew how proud he was and it would be up to them to explain why. It was the least they could do—to help him enter a marriage without secrets.