Page 16 of A Suitable Countess (To All the Earls I’ve Loved Before #3)
In Which our Hero Discovers How to Woo His Lady.
George’s irritation went beyond Viola’s stubborn refusal to marry him.
Three days without seeing her led to the discovery that he missed her vibrant presence and honest conversation.
He missed their physical connection, and kissing her, and the promise her kisses carried of one day knowing her completely.
His body reacted to every thought of her, but he sensed his need for Viola was deeper than mere lust. He needed the whole of her—her conversation and her unusual way of looking at the world.
Sitting about his home pining was not George’s way, so he set out to discover how to win his countess.
His first stop was Viola’s home, where he enquired if Lady Marie was at home. His luck held as Viola’s sister hurried into the parlour.
“My lord.” She curtsied and twined her fingers together. “I’m afraid my sister is not home. She has gone to visit the bank manager to make full repayment of our father’s loan. Would you like to wait for her or call back later? I can send for tea.”
“That would be kind, thank you, Lady Marie.”
Once tea had been ordered and the butler gone from the room, George spoke freely.
“Lady Marie, I have nothing to lose by laying my cards on the table, and so I am asking for your help. Your sister has pulled back from the understanding we had and says she no longer wishes to marry me.”
“As is her right, my lord.”
George nodded. “True. We had given no formal undertakings, but I believed we were of the same mind. I wish to marry your sister. I have a great deal of admiration for her courage, and I know she will be a wonderful countess; however, I do not know how to change her mind. I seek your help. Who better knows a woman than her sister?”
“Did she offer any reason for her change of mind?”
“It seemed at first to be about my lack of communication while I was at my mother’s bedside.”
“An understandable omission in the circumstances. Knowing my sister, once you apprised of the reason, that would not be why she changed her mind.”
“I agree, although I haven’t yet had the chance to explain those circumstances to her.
Her state of mind and fragile health after the robbery and attack persuaded me not to overtax her mind.
However, during the extended period of my absence, she received the letter of demand from your father’s bank.
With no idea where I had gone or indeed whether our agreement still existed, she returned to the gambling hell and, well, she probably showed you how well she did. ”
“A small fortune to us, my lord. What did she say about that?”
“She found she liked not having to rely on anyone but herself to look after her family.”
Marie’s lips tipped up into a brief smile. “She has always been quite adept at that. It comes in part from being the eldest and having a highly developed sense of duty and responsibility.”
Cook’s appearance bearing a tray of tea things and a plate of biscuits paused their discussion while she set it down near Lady Marie.
“Will that be all, my lady?”
“For now, thank you, Mrs Macey.” Lady Marie poured a cup for George, adding the dash of milk he had asked for and handing it to him before serving herself.
“Do you have any suggestions how I may woo your very self-sufficient sister, Lady Marie?”
She looked thoughtful as she offered the plate of biscuits, and he took one before she answered.
“You will have to show her she can rely on you while maintaining her freedom.”
“A tall order.”
“Not for a man in love.”
George opened his mouth to deny such nonsense. He wasn’t in love. He didn’t believe in the notion.
What was love anyway? Such sentiment was a frothy idea in silly novels meant for weaker minds.
Out of nowhere, the verse from Corinthians 1 popped into his mind.
‘Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.’
The verse perfectly described Viola’s love for her family; it was in her very soul to love and do right by those she loved, and so the question was simple: did he feel that way about Viola?
Did he wish to make her his countess because she would fulfil the role brilliantly, or did he desire to put her needs above his own and seek to love her with no expectation of receiving hers in return?
The answer hit him like a runaway carriage, bowling him over and forever changing him.
“It’s not a transaction; it’s a gift.”
Lady Marie nodded. “I believe you are beginning to understand at last, my lord.” She took a biscuit and nibbled, giving him time to assimilate the bolt from the blue.
“Our parents’ marriage is not common. They love one another very much, and my sister, indeed all of us, hope to find someone who will love us as much as they love each other.
For Viola to have considered marrying you without such love is a testament to how much she cares about her family.
Giving up her dream of finding the same as our parents have to ensure our wellbeing is the greatest expression of love I can imagine. ”
“She does not have to give up her dream.”
Lady Marie clapped her hands, and her eyes sparkled as she said, “Oh, you do truly love her.”
“I believe I do. I’ve never believed the emotion existed, so I didn't recognise what I was feeling, but you are right.”
“In that case, my lord, I will do all I can to help her see your suit in a new light.”
“My thanks, Lady Marie. I’d best be on my way, but please send word if— nay, it will be when, for it is a foregone conclusion that Viola will go to the gambling den again.” He handed her his card, bowed, and departed.
A man in love had many things to attend to if he was to woo and win his lady.