“Of course you can. You’re my grandson. Consider it a betrothal gift.”
“I think I need to sit down.”
Rose led Cameron to a settee and sat down next to him.
“I will also be giving your sisters small dowries, and your mother will receive a modest allowance as well, One thousand pounds per year.”
“My lord?” Mrs. Price said. “This is the first you’ve mentioned of that.”
“My dear, I wish it could be more. Your kindness and faithfulness to my son has earned you far more than that,” Denbigh said. “I thank God that you were in his life and stood by him, even after he lost much of the use of his brain.”
“He was a good man, my lord, and a fine husband. I loved him very much, and he gave me my beautiful children. I think you would have been proud of him.”
“I’ve no doubt of that. I wish I could have been a father to him.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Cameron said.
“Just say yes, Cameron,” Denbigh said. “I can never atone for the havoc that my behavior wreaked on the lives of your grandmother and father, but at least let me care for their loved ones.”
“Rose?” Cameron said. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s your decision, Cam.” She took his hand. “I love you, and I shall stand by you no matter what. You know that.”
“Mum?”
“I agree with Lady Rose. It’s your decision.”
Cameron looked at his beautiful fiancée, and then at his mother. It would be selfish of him to deprive them of the life that this title could provide for them. “All right, my lord,” he said to Denbigh. “I will be your heir.”
“Good, very good.” Denbigh smiled and strode forward to shake Cam’s hand. “There is one other small thing, though.”
“Yes?”
“You’ll have to take my surname. It should have been yours anyway, had I had the chance to do right by your grandmother.”
“Well…I suppose that’s all right. It will be difficult to get used to a new name.”
“You’d have to anyway,” Denbigh said. “As the Earl of Thornton, you’ll be known as Thornton, not Price. Your surname won’t make much of a difference.”
“I suppose that’s true.” Cameron paced through the parlor. “This will no doubt please your father,” he said to Rose.
“No doubt,” Rose said, “but that doesn’t matter to me.”
“I know it doesn’t, sweet.”
“Ashford has a problem with my grandson?” Denbigh asked. “I’ll speak to him.”
“I don’t think it’s me personally, my lord,” Cameron said. “It’s my common status. He wants better for Rose.”
“There’s no one better than you, Cam,” Mrs. Price said.
“Your mother is quite correct.” Rose chuckled. “As an earl though, you’ll be his equal, and when you inherit the marquessate, you’ll outrank him.”
Cameron couldn’t help laughing at the absurdity of it all. “I’m sorry I can’t make you a duchess, sweet, like your sister.”
“The only thing you need to make me is your wife, Cam,” Rose said. “That’s all I ever wanted.”
Newland stepped forward. “I hate to break up this party, but I’m afraid I need to return to Bath. I have a play to put on this evening.”