Page 39

Perry smiled. “But I am one of the fortunate ones who has found love. My life is richer for having Lady Dru in it. I did not know that love actually existed beyond fairy tales, but I have witnessed it in abundance since I have come home to Beauville. Lord and Lady Huntsberry have proven to be a shining example to me, as have Lord and Lady Aldridge. I have never been happier in my life, and I will do everything in my power to show my wife each day just how much I do love her.”

“Love,” she said dismissively. “Whatever is happening to this generation? A marriage of convenience has been the standard for centuries amongst those of noble birth.” She shook her head.

“I will be frank with you, my lord. I believed it almost impossible to marry off my youngest. If you have not discovered it yet, you will. Drusilla is headstrong. Willful. Stubborn. Combative. We have clashed over the years more times than I can say. I will be happy to grant my consent for you to wed my daughter because it means she will no longer be my responsibility.”

Her words angered him, and he quickly tamped it down, not wanting her to see it. “I am sorry things between the two of you have been strained over the years,” Perry said. “And I am happy to take on all responsibility for my betrothed.”

There was so much more he wished to say to this woman.

How if she had shown an ounce of love and compassion to Dru, things might not have been so difficult between them.

Still, he needed her approval in order for this marriage to happen, so he would do nothing to alienate her and cause her to withdraw the approval she had just spoken of.

Apparently what he said passed muster, because the countess nodded curtly.

“You will receive my husband’s permission for the match, Martindale.”

“I appreciate hearing so, my lady,” he said gratefully. “This means a great deal to me. Come, let us return to the drawing room. You must be parched after our long ride.”

The teacart had just been rolled in ahead of their return, and the countess immediately took over, pouring out for them. Perry nodded subtly to Viscount Dyer, letting him know all had gone well. He caught Lady Marley giving her own subtle nod to her husband.

“We cannot thank you enough for showing us about, Martindale,” Lord Marley said jovially. “You have much to be proud of. I believe my daughter will be quite happy in making a marriage to you.”

“Then it is settled?” he asked.

“Certainly,” the earl said.

Boldly, he announced, “Since Lady Dru and I are most eager to wed, we will forgo the last Sunday of calling the banns. I have already spoken to Mr. Harper, our local clergyman, and he is willing to issue a common license for us.”

Perry looked to Dru’s brother. “Viscount Dyer, you are familiar with the area now. If you would see your parents home, I will go to the church now to obtain our license. We can wed there tomorrow morning.”

Lady Marley sputtered, “Is that enough time for preparing the wedding breakfast?”

He smiled. “I have told Lady Aldridge of my plans, and she will make certain all is in hand. In fact, I will call at Aldridge Manor on my way home from Alderton to let her know we are set for tomorrow morning at ten o’clock.”

“Shouldn’t you also call on my daughter to let her know when she is to be wed?”

“Lady Dru and I have discussed the matter at length. We decided once you arrived from Somerset and Lord Marley gave his consent for the marriage to occur, we would wed the next morning.”

He fought to keep from bursting into laughter at seeing his almost mother-in-law left speechless.

Viscount Dyer rose. “Come. I will see us back to Huntsworth.” He offered his hand to Perry, and they shook. “It will be good to have you in the family, Martindale.” Dyer leaned closer and whispered in Perry’s ear, “Especially since you have learned the skill of how to handle Mama.”

They returned to the stables and rode as far as Alderton together before parting ways.

“Tell Dru that I love her,” he told Dyer. “And I cannot wait to make her mine.”

The viscount beamed at him. “I will certainly pass along that message, my lord.”

Perry bid them farewell and rode directly to the church, finding Mr. Harper and telling the vicar that he was there to purchase the common license which they had previously discussed.

“I hope you are available tomorrow morning at ten. My betrothed and I are most eager to unite in holy matrimony.”

The clergyman smiled indulgently. “I hear it is a love match, Lord Martindale.”

“It is indeed, Mr. Harper.”

“Then I will start the ceremony promptly at ten o’clock,” the vicar promised.

He rode to Aldridge Manor and gave the good news to Lord and Lady Aldridge.

“I will have our gardeners collect some flowers and supervise the decorating of the church,” the marchioness told him. “Congratulations again, my lord. And now that you are family, please call us Ariadne and Julian.”

A warmth filled him. He was in love and would soon wed Dru. Her family was becoming his.

And Perry hoped he would find peace for his soul once the marriage took place.