Chapter Twenty

 

Having cleared up his schedule, Joseph leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, allowing the tension to release from his shoulders. He would leave to call on Miss Cooper soon and he found that he looked forward to spending time with the woman. What had begun as a task of persuading her to stay and marry him had, in fact, turned into something enjoyable. He cherished her company, and on days such as this, when the weight of his worries bore down on him, he knew her smile, her laugh, and simply her presence would be a relief.

The woman had a gift, an ability to bring out the good in others, and although he had never wished to marry before, the thought now pleased him. He had overreacted the previous week during their excursion in the city. The woman had simply reacted to seeing the happiness of others. She would soon learn to restrain herself from such actions—that is, wishing to join in the antics of the lower class—but for now, he could look past her shortcomings.

Opening his eyes, he looked over at the letter from his mother that sat on the corner of his desk. She would arrive in less than a week so as to aid Miss Cooper in planning for their engagement party, which would take place at Abberton House. Certainly, Elford Estates had a larger ballroom, but having a party in the house that once belonged to Mr. Templeton and not at Joseph’s would have had more than a few people talking behind their hands wondering why. Holding the party at his own home would be less cause for gossip, and if gossip were food, there would be enough gossip going around about their upcoming nuptials to feed a small army as it was.

Regardless of where the festivities took place, it would be a lavish affair, more appropriate to a Duke than an Earl, but Joseph would bask in the admiration of the ton, soaking in their envy and rising above them with his wealth. Never again would they look down their arrogant noses at him as they had when news of his father’s recklessness had come about.

“My Lord,” Henry said from the doorway, “His Grace the Duke of Canternberry to see you.”

Joseph went to say to see the man in, but before he could say a single word, the Duke pushed past the butler, his face sterner than usual. “Linfield,” he demanded, “what is this I hear of your shipping business?”

Joseph went to stand, but the Duke raised a hand to indicate he remain seated. Then he walked over and stood looking down at Joseph like a father angry at a mischievous son.

“Answer me, boy, or I will leave at once and you will not receive a single bit of business from me again.”

Heart racing, Joseph tried to search his mind, to understand what the man meant by his words. “I am sorry, Your Grace. Shipping business?” Joseph knew when deciding to stick to the utmost of formalities could mean success or failure.

The Duke snorted, grabbed an empty chair and pulled it up next to Joseph. His posture remained rigid and his voice dark. “Do not play me for a fool,” the Duke growled. “Your fiancée told my wife of this vast fortune that you have come by through business with her father. In fact, she boasted about it.”

Joseph shook his head. When had the two women spoken?

As if reading Joseph’s mind, the Duke said, “Your fiancée was invited to tea in my home yesterday. My wife was quite upset after having the decency to invite Miss Cooper over for tea only to have the woman mock my wife in her own home. Now, what of this business?”

Joseph almost recoiled at the man’s fierceness, but he kept his back rigid despite the alarm that ran through him. The Duke of Canternberry was one of the most revered and influential men in Devon, and to lose favor with his family would bring greater shame than Joseph could possibly handle. “Your Grace, I give you my word; I have not participated in any shipping deals other than yours. I have no reason to do so.”

The Duke remained silent for several moments, and Joseph hoped the man’s anger had subsided, that he would believe Joseph’s words.

“Does her father own a shipping business or not?” The Duke’s voice was dangerously low.

Joseph swallowed. Of course, that was the story he had instructed Miss Cooper to tell if she were ever asked, so now, he could not deny it. “Yes, Your Grace, that is correct.”

The Duke shook his head and sighed. “So, her father owns a shipping business, yet you have no dealings with it? That makes no sense.” He slammed his hand on the desk. “One of you is lying, you or your fiancée, so, which one is it?”

A sliver of rage ran through Joseph. How dare this man come into his home and treat him in this way? However, His Grace was much too influential, so he knew he could dictate to others wherever he saw fit. If Joseph lost the man’s connections, he would end up destitute in no time, that was how much influence the Duke of Canternberry had.

“Miss Cooper’s father is slowing down in mind,” Joseph lied, his mind reeling as he attempted to elaborate a story that would be plausible. “He has sold off most of his business.” He shook his head to emphasize his regret for the nonexistent man. “Unfortunately, this has been exceptionally difficult on his family, very embarrassing as you can imagine. I must admit that Miss Cooper has struggled with exaggerating his wealth to conceal her hurt. I apologize profusely for what happened in your home, and I guarantee it will never happen again. Please send my apologies to Her Grace for any agitation this may have caused her.”

The Duke let out a heavy sigh. He was quiet for a moment and then laughed. “Although I should find fault in your fiancée,” he said, still chuckling, “I do understand women better than most men. They are simple creatures who tend to want to insert themselves in things of men, which they have no business doing.” He slapped his hands on his thighs and then stood. “Very well, then. There is nothing more to talk about. Although, I will tell you this.”

“Your Grace?” Joseph asked, also standing.

“If my wife is hurt again by her, we are finished. Do I make myself clear?”

Joseph nodded. “I understand all too well, Your Grace,” he replied with all the humility he could muster. Everything he wanted was just within reach, and he would not allow Miss Cooper to take away his one chance at happiness.

***

Foregoing his carriage, Joseph chose to ride his steed to call on Miss Cooper. By doing so, he could allow himself to go at his own pace and have time to reflect on what had transpired with the Duke. One thing Joseph had learned was that Miss Cooper had shown she could not be trusted, and he worried that he would arrive to find her boasting to someone else and bringing him further shame. How could she have done such a thing?

His anger, however, was muddled in confusion. He wished to be around the woman and yet she had disappointed him once again. Perhaps it was because he had been too lenient. In the recent weeks, his concerns had moved from the importance of her instruction so she could be presented to society to appeasing her until they were wed. Or perhaps the issue was that he felt something for her. He could not deny that his feelings for her had changed over the course of their time together, and he found her beauty something he wished to cherish. The feelings were new and baffled him no end, not helping his already muddled feelings.

Deciding he had already dawdled long enough, he snapped the reins and galloped the remainder of the way, stopping in front of Elford Estates. What he was going to do or say he was unsure, but some sort of admonishment needed to be said. If not, she would shame them both until they were penniless, or even worse, looked down on by the ton. A stable boy hurried over to take the reins, and Joseph made his way to the front door. The door opened immediately, Sherman greeting him formally as he always did.

“My Lord, a pleasure to see you.”

“Where is she?” Joseph knew he did not have to indicate whom.

“The gardens, My Lord,” Sherman replied.

Joseph moved past the man without allowing him to take his coat. He hurried through the house, and once outside, moved down the stone path, his strides long and his temper deep. He rounded a corner and stopped. Miss Cooper stood in front of a large hedge, her gaze on a bird sitting on a nearby branch. He was surprised when he heard her singing to the bird. Her voice was melodious and he felt his anger lessen for a brief moment.

“My Lord,” Miss Cooper said with a gasp when she turned and saw him standing there. “What are you doing here? I did not expect you for at least two more hours.”

The reminder of why he had come returned. “Why did you boast of my wealth and of your father’s shipping business?” She shook her head, a confused look on her face, but he did not allow her to reply, not yet. “Do not lie. I know you were at the home of The Duke of Canternberry yesterday. Tell me everything you said while you were there.”

“The Duchess asked about my father, and she spoke ill of you. I could not stand for her outrageous behavior, so I told her that you were engaged in business with my father. I found no reason not to add that small detail to our story.” Her face took on a look of fear. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Yes, you did,” he said. “The Duke came to see me today, telling me that his wife was upset because you were boasting about my wealth.”

“That is a lie!” Miss Cooper shouted. “She asked and I answered. The woman was belittling you. I tell you the truth.”

“Do you think I care?” he demanded. “You almost ruined my business dealings with the Duke. I warn you now, do not upset either of them again. I will not stand for it.” A single tear ran down her cheek and a wrenching in his insides made him pause. He forced his voice to soften. “Just do not lie about me again, that is all I ask.”

“I only lied about your dealings with my father,” Miss Cooper said quietly. “You must know, I can never refuse an opportunity to speak well of you.”

“When it comes to the Duke of Canternberry, you must,” he explained, his tone even softer now. He found he did not like to see her weep. When she shook her head, he added, “You must. Their family is among the most elite of the ton. To be excluded by them is akin to social death. I could not live with that shame.”

Miss Cooper wiped at her eye. “I could not live with anyone speaking ill of you,” she said.

“Why is it you do not understand? Why is it so difficult for you to follow my wishes?”

“Because you never tell me what you wish!” she said, her own voice rising, much to his astonishment. What right did she have to be angry? It was not her reputation that was on the chopping block, not exactly. They were not even married yet. “Yes, you have told me you wish I take lessons in dance and how to conduct myself in society, which I have done. You have told me never to question you, nor to embarrass you. However, you have closed everything about yourself, and when you do open up, you only reveal the least amount that you can.” She wiped at her eyes again.

He removed a handkerchief from his coat pocket and handed it to her. “You must understand….”

“I am trying, My Lord, and you do not seem to see that,” she cried. “I do not know what to do anymore to make you happy.”

Joseph swallowed hard. He had no words to express the regret he felt for causing her to weep.

“Perhaps I should leave you so you can find a woman more suitable for you,” she said in an almost whisper. “Because I seem to only disappoint you.”

The thought of her leaving scared him worse than the threats he had received from the Duke, and this surprised him. He suddenly realized he no longer cared for the inheritance, the house, the wealth. For the first time, he saw that all he cared about was her, for a world without her was darkness.

He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “You are right in what you say,” he said softly. “I demand much but offer little. I do not share much about myself, I never have. However, from this moment on, I give you my word, I will answer whatever you ask. And I will refrain from mocking you again.”

She looked up at him as she let out a sigh. The fierceness in her eyes had been replaced by something he did not understand, but somehow he cherished. “I believe we can be happy together,” she said. “I have come to…care about you, very much.”

Joseph felt his heartbeat quicken. “I must admit, that I have come to feel the same.” The next thing he knew, she was in his arms, and he tightened his grip on her. Closing his eyes, he felt the tension, the worry, the fears leave him.

“I always knew you were a good man, Lord Linfield,” she whispered against his chest. “You do not see it, but you will. We are going to be happy, I promise you that.”

Joseph nodded, but he also knew that happiness entailed many things. Yet, with the woman in his arms, he was willing to give it a chance.