Page 46 of A Duke Reformed (Icy Dukes #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

" G ood morning, Your Grace," Dorothy greeted him. "Are you here to see Papa?"

As the butler led Solomon down the corridor toward the morning room, he suddenly found himself intercepted by Dorothy and Phillip, who had emerged from one of the side hallways.

"Is it a matter that concerns Cecilia, Your Grace?" Phillip questioned.

Solomon paused, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Emma's siblings. Usually, they were quite chaotic. The few times he had seen them at the estate, or in the park, they were usually running around, or chasing each other. Now, they seemed... calmer. Less erratic.

"You are right, Dorothy," he answered her first. "I am here to see your father. But it's not a matter that concerns Cecilia," he said to Phillip.

"Then what is the matter, if I may ask, Your Grace?" Phillip inquired. "Why have Emma and Cecilia been whispering about your coming?"

Solomon smiled down at them. "Emma has been talking about my visit? Did she sound excited? Or just... casual? What did she say exactly?"

Dorothy raised an eyebrow. "Surely, you must know. No one has said anything that would give us a clear answer. Emma and Cecilia have been acting all mysterious, whispering about you when they think no one's listening."

"Now we're left with nothing but questions," Phillip added. "So, come on, Your Grace, don't keep us in suspense. What's all this about?"

Solomon glanced between them, his smile faltering just slightly as they reached the door. "You'll know very soon. Have some patience and wish me luck."

"Luck?" was the last thing Dorothy said before Solomon stepped into the morning room and the door was shut behind him.

As Solomon entered the morning room, he found Emma's father, Lord Lockhart, seated by the fireplace, reading a letter.

The room was quieter than he expected, a stark contrast to the lively household he was used to.

He recalled that the last time he came to see Emma, Dorothy and Phillip had been running down the hallway and nearly bumped into him.

"Your Grace," Howard said, rising to his feet. "Come, sit please. I must say I was surprised when I got news that you were paying me a visit. I assumed you'd heard of some of my latest business strides and wished to discuss potential partnerships."

Solomon paused for a moment, amused at the assumption but maintaining his composure. He sat across from Howard, interlocking his fingers in front of him.

"Lord Lockhart, my visit today is not about business," he announced.

Howard's smile dropped in an instant. "It's not?

" he asked, tilting his head sideways. That's disappointing, Your Grace.

I assure you, my current business endeavors will yield massive profit.

All that it needs is some faith and good investors.

" He cleared his throat and sat up. "But if it's not business, then what brings you here, Your Grace? "

"Your daughter," Solomon answered simply. "It appears she has captured something of mine, and I would like to negotiate the terms of custody."

Howard's eyes widened in shock, his eyebrows shooting up as he leaned forward in his chair. "Taken something of yours? Who? Emma? Cecilia? Or... Dorothy? Who would dare do such a thing?"

Solomon drew in a dramatic breath. "I'm afraid it's Emma, Lord Lockhart."

"Preposterous!" Howard exasperated. "I know my daughter quite well. I'm... I am sure this is all just some misunderstanding."

"I'm afraid it is not," he answered. "Emma has stolen my heart, and while I do not wish to get it back, I would like something in return. Her hand in marriage."

Howard's confusion deepened as he sat back, the shock evident in his eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of Solomon's words. "Her hand in marriage?" he repeated slowly, skeptical. "You... you are serious?"

Solomon gave a small nod, as his expression turned solemn. "I am, sir. I am in love with Emma, and I would be honored to have her as my wife. I am here to seek your permission to make her my own."

Howard simply stared at him, seemingly processing his words.

He sat back, rubbing scratching his side burns.

"Deep down, I knew this day would come even though I tried so hard not to hope for it," he said finally and leaned forward.

"It's been one too many seasons. At some point, it was best to just..

. stop hoping that she would finally be bold enough to go after something. .. someone."

Howard let out a breathy laugh and shook his head.

"Emma is... the bond that holds this family together.

Emma is..." he paused then turned to Solomon with a puzzled look on his face.

"Emma? Why Emma? How did you – Where did you.

.. I know my daughter, and I know how fiercely she guards her heart.

Why are you seeking her hand in marriage? "

Solomon smiled. "It wasn't a sudden whim or a passing fancy, Lord Lockhart.

When I first met Emma, I had no intention of falling in love.

But somehow, she became the center of everything.

My everything. I will chip away at the walls of her heart, if she would let me, and camp there, like she has built a camp in my heart. "

Howard sat back again. "I... I must admit, I wasn't expecting this," Howard finally said.

"I know this might not be conventional, but I need to call Emma in here.

You don't understand, Your Grace, my daughter can be quite stubborn about her heart.

She might try to hide it, but I know. So, she will tell me if this is what she wants, before I give you my blessing. "

Solomon nodded. "That is more than fair, Lord Lockhart. I understand completely."

Howard gave a stiff nod before gesturing for the butler to fetch Emma. A few moments later, the door opened. Solomon stood still as Emma entered the room. His breath caught in his chest. She looked every bit as beautiful as ever.

For the first time in his life, Solomon felt nervous. His confident, commanding demeanor faltered ever so slightly. He had faced battles, losses, and challenges, yet none of it had ever affected him like this. The thought of Emma rejecting him flash through his mind and it terrified him.

She didn't even acknowledge him right away, her focus was solely on her father. But he couldn't help but watch her, soaking in every movement of hers.

"Take a seat, Emma," Howard said to her, leading her to sit by his side, facing Solomon. "I believe there are matters here we need to discuss with you present."

When Howard spoke to her, she nodded without answering immediately, her gaze still on the floor. It was as though she was shy all of a sudden.

His pulse quickened, and despite himself, he reached up to adjust his collar, a nervous tic he hadn't indulged in years.

Emma's eyes flickered to him, and their eyes locked for a split second.

In that moment, everything around him seemed to fade away.

The uncertainty that had gripped him only moments before melted into something far more certain.

The fleeting doubt vanished in the depths of her gaze, and in that instant, Solomon knew he had nothing to worry about.

"Emma, the duke is here to ask for your hand in marriage. Now, I'm not privy not anything that might have transpired between you two, at balls or functions, so I need your input here."

Emma sat there, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She inhaled deeply, and then met Solomon's gaze again, unwavering this time. "Papa," she began to say. "I love the duke. I have loved him for quite some time now."

The room seemed to exhale in that moment and so did Solomon. Solomon, who had been watching her intently, smiled, a soft and tender smile that reached his eyes.

Howard regarded them both, his gaze lingering on Emma for a moment before he turned his attention to Solomon.

"Well then," he said with a deep sigh, a reluctant but genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I suppose I have no reason to stand in the way of love.

Trust me, I know better. It's just... surprising, that is all.

Pleasant, but surprising. I cannot seem to imagine the house without Emma in it. "

Emma and her father exchanged glances for a moment.

"I give you my blessing, Your Grace," he finally said.

"You needn't worry about Emma's dowry. I know we have somewhat of a rumor about our finances right now, but it will be paid, of course.

I would not send my daughter into marriage without the dignity of her portion. "

Solomon raised a hand gently. "Thank you, Lord Lockhart, but that won't be necessary. Whatever sum has been set aside for her, let her keep it. Use it however she sees fit. Invest it, give it away, or spend it on books if she likes. I do not want a penny from her. I want Emma. That is all."

Howard gave him a long look. "Very well," he said. "You're an unusual man, Your Grace."

Solomon smiled. "Lord Lockhart, if you don't mind, may I have a moment alone with my fiancée please?"

"Of course," he said, standing to his feet.

"I'll take him around the garden, Papa," Emma said, standing up too. "We won't be staying here."

Solomon rose as she did, offering a short bow to Howard before following Emma out of the morning room and into the hallway. The moment the door shut behind them, the air shifted. It was like stepping out of something weighty and into something light.

Outside, the air was cool and fresh, the soft fragrance of roses and damp earth curling around them. Solomon felt... new. As though he'd been remade.

"I thought your father might toss me out," he said at last, taking Emma's hand into his as they strolled down the garden.

"That wasn't even a possibility, Your Grace," Emma beamed. "He probably adores you more than I do."

"Emma, I have faced lords in Parliament, adversaries across negotiating tables, and courts full of whispering nobles, but never had my heartbeat stuttered the way it did in there."

Emma giggled. "Is that so? The mighty Duke of Montclaire brought to his knees by my father's furrowed brow?"

He chuckled. "I wouldn't go that far but...close," he answered. "I don't think I'd have recovered if you had said no to me."

"I already said yes the other day at the dinner," Emma reminded him. "I was certain of it, Solomon. Nothing could have changed my mind."

They walked in comfortable silence for a few more paces, listening to the sound around them. Solomon stole a glance at her, marveling at how natural it felt to walk beside her. As if they had done this a hundred times before. As if his soul had somehow known hers long before they'd ever spoken.

"I suppose..." he began to speak. "...This is the part where I start talking to you like a betrothed man ought to."

Emma tilted her head, amused. "And how's that?"

He grinned. "With a touch more honesty, I think."

She slowed down her pace, paying more attention to him.

"Emma..." he paused, tugging her a little closer as they rounded the hedges.

"There is something I should probably talk about with you.

Marrying me won't be all London balls. As a duke, I have obligations.

My work often pulls me north, to my business ventures scattered across England.

.. to Montclaire and the people that rely on me as their duke.

We'll be traveling often. Sometimes unexpectedly. Sometimes for long stretches."

He looked down at her, expecting hesitation. But she didn't falter. She didn't blink. Instead, she stopped walking and turned to face him fully, her hand still in his. "As long as we're together," she said softly. "You could take me to the edge of the earth and I would not mind."

Solomon felt his heart soften. "You truly mean that?" he asked.

"Every word," she answered. "I'll go where you go." She took a step forward. "I've lived in the same place all my life. I'm tired of London. I think I'd like to see more of the world with you."

He let out a long exhale, shaking his head in amusement. "You're remarkable, Ducky."

She gave him a cheeky look and shrugged her shoulders. "I know."

Solomon barked a laugh, then pulled her closer. "Good."

She giggled. "Someone has to make sure you don't go around terrifying people with your brooding silences and intense eyebrows. You still have a lot to learn about London etiquettes, Your Grace. I'm afraid I'd spend the rest of our lives together, teaching you."

"My eyebrows are perfectly respectable," he retorted, pretending to be touched by her remark.

"They are brooding," she countered.

"They are noble."

"They are scandalously expressive."

He laughed again then looked at her, truly looked at her, standing there with that smile that had taken root in his soul. He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple and closed his eyes for a second.

"I look forward to everything," he murmured. "Every muddy road, every northern wind, every morning and every night that began and ended with you. Everything."

Emma tilted her face up towards him. She leaned in just a little, her breath mingling with his as she slowly closed her eyes. But just as her lips brushed his, Solomon pulled back ever so slightly, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Oh, not here," he whispered. "I have a terrible feeling your siblings are watching us. We wouldn't want to set a bad example now, do we?"

Emma blinked, then let out a breathy laugh, pouting as she stepped back. "You're right," she whispered back. "Dorothy and Phillip are usually everywhere. They pop out of corners like woodland creatures."

Solomon chuckled, utterly delighted by her. "Yes, I've noticed."

Solomon pulled her into his arms, this time holding her tighter than he ever had. Her body fit perfectly against his. He closed his eyes, letting the silence stretch between them... feeling her heartbeat against his chest.

The future was within reach. A new era of happiness.

He could barely wait.