Page 38 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

T hey finally arrived in London after a week and a half of traveling, and Rupert instructed his coachman to head straight to his townhouse.

He hadn’t had time to alert the Bowers that he would be staying there overnight, and Mrs. Bowers was a bit frantic at having no notice.

Still, she and her husband were welcoming.

Once he had made certain Celia and Miss Wilson were settled, he took a hansom cab to Mr. Ousley’s office, apologizing to the clerk because he did not have an appointment.

“Mr. Ousley is free at the moment, Lord Cressley,” the clerk said, taking him back to see the solicitor.

“Why, Lord Cressley,” Mr. Ousley said, clearly surprised. “What brings you to town? And how are you finding Crestbrook?”

“The estate is thriving,” he shared. “Mr. Williamson, our longtime steward, has recently retired. He recommended Adam Holson as his replacement, and I believe Mr. Holson will be with us for many years to come. But I have something important to discuss with you, Mr. Ousley. I only just arrived in town an hour ago, and I plan to leave for Kent tomorrow morning.”

“What might I help you with, my lord?”

“I am hoping to wed in the very near future. I know marriage settlements must be drawn up for that to occur. I also wish to purchase a special license once I leave here. Can you help me?”

“For the special license, you will need to go to Doctors’ Commons.

” Mr. Ousley withdrew a piece of paper and jotted down an address, handing it to Rupert.

“As far as the marriage contracts are concerned, it is usual to meet with the bride’s father or guardian, along with his solicitor, and hammer them out. ”

He frowned. “I did not know it worked that way.”

“How soon are you looking to marry, my lord?”

“If my intended says yes, as soon as possible.” He paused. “I know you are a very busy man, Mr. Ousley, but is there any way you might accompany me to Kent tomorrow? That way, if Lady Lia agrees to the marriage, you would already be on hand.”

“And who is Lady Lia’s father?”

“He is deceased. Her brother is the Duke of Millbrooke. I suppose I would need his permission, or that of her mother, the Dowager Duchess of Millbrooke.”

“I know His Grace’s solicitor, a Mr. Creighton. We are old friends,” Ousley said. “If Creighton is free, perhaps we might travel down to Kent with you tomorrow.”

Relief flooded him. “That would be wonderful, Mr. Ousley. Please check with Mr. Creighton. I shall go to Doctors’ Commons now and call again at your offices once my business there is complete.”

“I should know by then if Creighton is free or not. If you will tell me what you would like written into the marriage settlements, I can go ahead and began a draft of the contracts. That will save us time.”

“I am clueless, Mr. Ousley. What do they involve?”

Briefly, the solicitor talked to Rupert about everything from monthly pin money to dowries for any future daughters and provisions for any sons beyond the heir apparent. He also mentioned they would need to include arrangements for what would happen to his viscountess, should he predecease her.

“Since I have no experience, I will let you use your judgment, Mr. Ousley. All I want is to be generous in whatever you write up.”

“Then I will speak with Creighton and begin the process, my lord. ”

“Thank you so much.”

Rupert dashed outside, hailing another hansom cab and giving the driver the address which Ousley had provided to him.

He easily found the offices, but he had to wait an hour and a half before he could see the archbishop’s representative.

Even then, after stating what he needed, it took another hour before he had the special license in hand since certain things had to be verified before the license could be issued.

While it allowed Lia and him to wed on any day and time and at any place to their liking, it was only good for a month.

He hoped not only would Lia agree to wed him—but that she would do it within the timeframe of the special license.

Returning to Mr. Ousley’s office, he found the solicitor hard at work, another man and two clerks also assisting him. Mr. Creighton was the other solicitor, and he had brought one of his clerks.

“We have written up what we think is a very good marriage contract, my lord,” Mr. Ousley told him. “I took your word and have been most generous in setting the terms. Mr. Creighton will tell you the same.”

The Millbrooke solicitor said, “While I cannot leave tomorrow and go to Millvale with you, I have written a brief note to His Grace, informing him that I had a hand in writing these marriage settlements and that they are very charitable toward Lady Lia and any issue from the marriage. I have encouraged His Grace to sign the documents, saying they are in the best interests of his sister.”

He looked to Ousley. “Will you be able to accompany me to Kent?”

“I can do so, my lord. I will bring a clerk with me so that if His Grace approves, copies can be made for all parties involved, as well as one for Mr. Creighton to keep.”

“Then be at your offices by nine o’clock tomorrow morning, Mr. Ousley. With a change of horses, we should be at Millvale by two in the afternoon. ”

“We shall see you then, my lord,” the solicitor said.

Rupert returned to his townhouse and met with the Bowers, saying, “There is a possibility that I may soon wed. I would like the viscountess’ rooms scrubbed from top to bottom.”

“Of course, my lord,” the housekeeper said. “Do you know when you might return?”

“I cannot say. I wish I could. I leave tomorrow morning for Millvale, which is south of Maidstone.”

“Everything will be taken care of immediately, Lord Cressley,” Bowers assured him.

He went to the schoolroom, where Celia and Miss Wilson were enjoying a last meal of the day.

“Is everything to your liking?” he asked the governess.

“Yes, my lord. I might need to purchase a few supplies for this schoolroom, but Miss Celia and I could easily hold lessons here.”

“I plan to bring Celia—and any future children I may have—to town with me for each Season.”

Her startled expression told him how unique the idea was, and he added, “It is going to be a new family tradition. I do not think it would do either Celia or me any good to be apart from one another for so many months.”

Miss Wilson smiled approvingly “I think it a sound idea, my lord.”

“Tell Bowers what you need for lessons. He can purchase it and have those supplies ready for when we return in the spring.”

Rupert only hoped that he would be introducing his new viscountess to Polite Society when the next Season rolled around.

*

His belly churned as his carriage turned and drove up the lane to Millvale.

They had stopped twice for directions, the last time in Willowshire, the local village.

Rupert had seen the local church as they passed through and wondered if he would soon be standing at its altar with his bride or if he were on a fool’s errand.

Hopefully, he would know the answer in the next hour.

He had left Celia, Miss Wilson, and Mr. Ousley at the Willowshire inn, telling Miss Wilson to order them some food.

He would return as quickly as possible. Whether it was with good news or bad, he couldn’t say.

Celia had wanted to go with him to Millvale to see Lia, but if he were turned away by her, he did not wish for his niece to be a part of that humiliation.

It would be difficult enough to contain his sadness from her if things did not work out as he wished.

His carriage stopped in front of an imposing house, larger than any he had ever seen. Then again, it was the house of a duke. As Rupert climbed from the vehicle, the butler came out to greet him.

“I am Quigby, my lord, butler to His Grace.”

“Good afternoon, Quigby. I am Viscount Cressley. I have come to call upon Lady Lia.”

“Won’t you come inside, my lord?”

The butler led him inside and said, “Lady Lia is in the village with Her Grace and Lady Tia. But His Grace and the dowager duchess are here. Might you wish to speak to either of them?”

“Both, if possible.”

“Then let me show you to the drawing room, my lord. I will let Their Graces know you are here.”

Rupert followed the butler upstairs, almost feeling as if he marched to Tower Hill and certain death. At least he could explain to Their Graces why he was there.

He hadn’t been in the drawing room more than two minutes when a muscular man a few inches over six feet entered and came toward him. He had emerald eyes and russet hair.

“Your Grace,” he said, bowing his head in respect.

“Lord Cressley,” the duke said, offering Rupert his hand. “You are a long way from home. ”

Expelling a long breath, he said, “I most certainly am.”

The dowager duchess breezed into the drawing room, coming toward them. “Cressley,” she said, allowing him to take her hand and kiss it. “I was wondering if you might show up.”

“You were?” he asked, not able to keep the surprise from his voice.

“Well, you do love my Cornelia, don’t you?”

“Most fervently, Your Grace,” he replied.

“Come. Sit,” she instructed, and the three of them took a seat.

“Mama seems to know more than I do,” the duke said, eyeing Rupert with interest. “I was familiar with your name because it was mentioned to me by my sisters when they returned a few days ago. You are a neighbor to my cousin, I gather.”

“Yes, my estate is next to Lord Traywick’s,” he said, nerves flitting through him.

“And you love my sister.” The duke’s tone was even, but he saw questions in the man’s eyes.

“I may have mucked everything up,” he admitted. “I do love Lady Lia. I told her I did not. She knows that I am fond of her. I cannot say why I did not admit as much to her.”