Page 7 of Surrender to the Earl (Brides of Redemption #2)

Robert watched in amazement as she turned back the way they’d just come and approached Molly. The servant murmured something, and they both took a right hand turn down another path that disappeared behind a vine-covered arbor.

Robert stood still, considering his dilemma. There was no doubt that he had to help Mrs. Blake, but after the close way her family watched her, he was beginning to think her suggestion that he simply escort her away wasn’t going to work.

After luncheon, Robert accompanied the rest of the gentlemen for target shooting out on the lawn, which he won.

Dinner ended up being a more elaborate affair, with neighbors as guests, followed by card games in the drawing room.

He rather suspected he was being put on display by Miss Collins, who’d thrown the event together and sent footmen scurrying all over the countryside with invitations that morning.

Robert was no longer surprised when only a few of the guests knew Mrs. Blake personally, although most had heard of her.

Since card games could not appeal to Mrs. Blake, she sat in a corner with an elderly woman, who kept up so much chatter that every time Robert looked their way, Mrs. Blake, though nodding politely, was never given the chance to speak.

Robert didn’t need any more convincing. It was time to talk to Lord Collins. Would the baron allow him to simply whisk away his daughter? No. But Robert had another idea …

When the last guest from the village had gone, Miss Collins retired and Mr. Collins led his friends upstairs. Robert stopped their father in the entrance hall.

“Lord Collins, might we speak privately?” he asked.

Mrs. Blake was just entering the hall from the back corridor. Her eyes narrowed as he spoke. There was no way to send her a reassuring smile. Realizing he was staring a bit too long, he turned and found Lord Collins frowning at him.

“We can speak in my study,” Collins said, leading him across the hall to another door.

His study was lined with books and deep leather chairs, and the occasional masculine knickknacks of rocks, animal skulls, and a mounted deer. Collins indicated a chair for Robert, then went around and sat behind the desk, as if he needed a barrier against whatever Robert had to say.

But his expression was neutral enough as he asked, “Is something amiss, Knightsbridge?”

Robert was so used to making a decision and then the necessary physical preparations, it had never occurred to him to prepare a speech. He would definitely need to brush up on that before Parliament opened after Christmas.

“Collins, I came here with the intention of offering my sympathy to your daughter. I had heard a bit about her from Blake?—”

“You can’t trust a word that scoundrel ever said,” Collins said, frowning. “He abandoned my daughter.”

“He did, though I didn’t know it. He spoke of her letters as giving him comfort, and in some ways, I think he was surprised by that.”

The other man said nothing, only steepled his fingers together beneath his chin.

“I’ve spent two days in Mrs. Blake’s company, and I’ve seen her courage, wit, and intelligence. I cannot express enough my admiration.”

“What are you saying?” Collins demanded.

“I wanted to inform you that I will be asking for Mrs. Blake’s hand in marriage tomorrow.”

To his surprise, Collins began to chuckle, but it slowly died away as Robert didn’t smile in return.

“You are serious,” Collins said in a flat voice.

“I am.”

“You have an earldom to lure any young woman. You’ve only just returned to England. And you want to choose the first woman you’ve spent time with—a blind woman?”

“I returned two weeks ago,” Robert amended. “I met several debutantes in London, but most are in the country, I know. Your daughter is the first woman to fascinate me, and frankly, after nine years in the army, I’ve learned to trust my instincts.”

“Her dowry went to Blake,” Collins said smugly, crossing his arms over his chest. “But Blythe has a fine dowry.”

Robert ignored the mention of the other daughter.

“Mrs. Blake told me how her husband took her money and betrayed her. I would never do that. I’ve resigned my commission.

I have no need of her dowry. Surely you know that the Knightsbridge estates have been well cared for.

But, sir, it is your daughter’s kindness and patience I value, not money.

Her acceptance of her limitations, and the courage she shows every single day.

The London debutantes want me for all the wrong reasons, my title and wealth.

A mature woman like Mrs. Blake would best understand the moods of an ex-soldier. ”

Collins never took his eyes off Robert. At last he said, “I can’t allow this.”

Robert arched a brow. “She is an adult, sir, a widow. You have no say.”

“She is an invalid. Any court will agree she’s not capable of making her own decisions.”

“She would testify on her own behalf and talk circles around any lawyer. You know that. And what will I be doing? I will be explaining to everyone in London about your resistance, and the way you treat her as your servant rather than your daughter.”

Collins slammed his hands onto the desk, scattering papers. “I will not listen to such words in my own home!”

“You won’t listen to the truth, you mean?

I saw the local gentry tonight—most of them had heard of Mrs. Blake but never met her.

What kind of father keeps his daughter out of sight, simply because she’s blind?

Is it catching? We both know it is not. Is there a stigma attached?

She has been convenient for you to take advantage of, but that is over now.

You have another daughter. I suggest she learn to manage a household, so that she is not a disappointment to her future husband. ”

Collins jumped to his feet, and Robert followed, unstretching leisurely, until he was a head taller than the other man. Collins looked up, hesitated, then pressed his lips together in a narrow line.

“Have you already compromised my daughter?” he demanded. “Is that what this is all about?”

“I have not, sir. I have done all that is proper. But even I did not expect to feel such a connection after only two days. Now on to the practical matters. My country seat is only a few miles away from the house she inherited from Blake, which is why we were in the same regiment. The Eighth Dragoons are a tradition in our parish. I will escort her and her lady’s maid there, so that we can live in proximity while the wedding is planned. ”

“That damned house—how did you learn of it?”

“She told me, of course. We are able to speak freely with one another. I had not imagined a woman could understand me so well.”

Robert realized that for the first time in a long while, he was using the weight of the earldom to have his way, and there was satisfaction in that—too much like the old, immature days of his youth.

But he wouldn’t go back to being that spoiled young man who didn’t know how to treat people with respect.

This supposed marriage was for Mrs. Blake’s benefit, not his own, he reminded himself.

“Do we understand each other, Collins?” Robert asked. “I wish to have a cordial relationship with you, but not if you can’t respect your daughter.”

Collins shook his head. “I have no choice, do I? But Knightsbridge, you are too full of yourself. She will refuse your proposal. She’s been badly hurt before, and that was by a man who took the time to court her. You? She’s too levelheaded to risk her future on a stranger.”

“Then that will be her choice,” Robert agreed amiably. He bowed to the baron and opened the door.

A footman waited with several candleholders, offering one for Robert’s use.

“Not just yet,” Robert said. “Please ask Mrs. Blake if she would speak with me. I’ll be waiting in the parlor.” He didn’t want her father getting to her first.