“I am sorry,” her mother finally said softly. “You are right. I just… I thought if I was able to keep up with appearances that someone might be more interested in you, that it would increase your chances of finding a good match. But somewhere along the way, I lost sight of that. I should never have put so much pressure on you. I didn’t want to believe the rumors about Lord Roberts, not when he seemed like the perfect solution. I wasn’t convinced they were real until it was too late, and then, I didn’t know what to do. I don’t know how I could ever make it up to you, to you both,” she grabbed a hand from both Felicity and Delilah, giving them a gentle squeeze, “but I promise I will. I am so sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me.”
All the anger, all the frustration, all the resentment fled from Felicity’s body in an instant. A quick glance at Delilah told her that her sister also felt the wave of relief at their mother’s apology. Felicity squeezed her mother’s hand back, tightly, blinking back her own tears.
“We will figure this out together, Mother. I, too, need your forgiveness for the things I said when I was angry. While I meant them, I should have said them in a kinder way and perhaps in private. I apologize.”
“No, no, my dear. I am glad you said them. While painful, I needed to hear them.”
For the first time in over two years, Felicity hugged her mother, holding her tight. Even with the layers of fabric pushing them apart, she craved her mother’s comfort more than anything in that moment.
“Um, I hate to break up the sentimental moment,” Delilah said, pulling them apart, “but we have a problem.”
CHAPTER16
Lord Stephen Kent and Lady Edith Kent request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Miss Felicity Kent, to His Lord, Mark Roberts, Earl of Edgware, Friday, the fifteenth of July current, 10 in the morning at the Mourndown Manor chapel. Reception at the Mourndown Manor ballroom
* * *
“I do not care what it says, Lord Kent. The contract is not signed and therefore, it is null and void.”
Benjamin tried not to let his frustration show, but Felicity’s father had been arguing the same invalid point for the past fifteen minutes.
“Yes, but it has already been drafted. That is almost as good as a signed contract. I have given him my word and do not wish to break it.”
“Almost is not an actuality.” Benjamin sank into the seat next to the Viscount and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, so he was at eye level with the older gentleman. “I wish to make this clear to you. Iloveyour daughter. I will spend the rest of my life doing everything in my power to make her happy. I will take care of herandher family. I am not asking for a dowry, and any outstanding debts you may have will be taken care of.”
Lord Kent looked surprised at Benjamin’s declarations, but he did not stop.
“I know how much her sisters mean to Felicity, so I will take care of them too. You will never want for anything another day in your life, and neither shall the rest of your family. If that is not enough to sway you, then please consider the kind of man the Earl is. You have heard the rumors as much as I have, and I think you know them to be true. I would like to think you care more about your daughter’s happiness than keeping your word to a rake.”
“Of course, I care about Felicity’s happiness,” Lord Kent argued, his white, wiry eyebrows shooting up, emphasizing the lines across his forehead.
“Then tear up that contract and sign one with me.”
There was no room for argument in Benjamin’s mind or in his words, but still, the man hesitated.
“I will do that. I will dissolve the agreement I have with Lord Roberts on one condition.”
Benjamin narrowed his gaze, thinking he had already given the man more than he deserved, but there was nothing he would not do to secure Felicity's future with him, so he nodded.
“I want to know how this all happened.”
“Excuse me?” Benjamin sputtered for a moment, trying to make sense of the man’s request. “I don’t think I understand what you are asking.”
“I mean exactly what I said. I want to know where you came from, how you met my daughter, all of it. An hour ago, no one knew you were the Duke of Ferndown. I certainly had no idea my daughter had any kind of correspondence with anyone, let alone an eligible man. I have done Felicity a disservice once already to promise her to the wrong man. I am not one to make the same mistake twice. So, we will sit here and drink our brandy, and you will tell me the tale. When you are finished, we will find out if I am coming out of retirement or gaining a son-in-law.”
Benjamin knew a challenge when he saw one, and Felicity's father was blatantly challenging him. Despite this, he had to admit that a man willing to admit his mistake and make the effort to remedy it, even at the expense of his own comfort, made Benjamin respect the man all the more. Without any other option, Benjamin nodded, sat back in his chair, took a sip of his drink, and began telling Lord Kent everything he wanted to know.
It took him no less than an hour to answer all of the man’s questions, but he did not mind. As tempted as he had been to leave out the details of each mistake Benjamin had made along the way, he knew that his honesty mattered more than anything as he told the story. The more Benjamin talked, the more he realized two things. The first was that he could never grow tired of talking about Felicity. He had known her for only half of the season, and she had already become his favorite thing. Luckily, Lord Kent did not seem to mind Benjamin’s stream of compliments for his daughter. The second thing he realized was that he had missed sitting in his father’s office and talking.
As a young man, his father would invite him into the study at least once a week. He was offered a glass of brandy and the opportunity to talk whatever was on his mind. When his father had died, there had been no one to take the place of those conversations. Elijah did not have the time nor the experience to help Benjamin with whatever he was facing. Sitting here tonight, warmed by the heat of the fireplace and the brandy burning through him, Benjamin felt more than a little reminiscent.
It was obvious that the Viscount was enjoying their conversation as much as Benjamin was. He chuckled here and there as Benjamin described Felicity’s headstrong moments and how inept Benjamin had felt these past several weeks.
“There is nothing like a pretty lady to drive a smart man crazy,” Lord Kent remarked once Benjamin had finished telling his story.
“I do believe you are right in that,” he admitted. “In my four years as a soldier, I have never felt quite so… so outflanked as when I talk to Felicity, er, Miss Kent.”
“That is how it should be. I remember feeling very much the fool in love when I first met her mother. And do not worry about being formal with me, my boy. You can call her Felicity if you would like, after all, she is to be your wife. And while we are at it, you can call me Stephen. I think titles are much too stuffy.”