Robert swallowed hard.
“I tried to do right by my late family’s wishes, and as a man of honor, I released half of my sister’s fifty thousand pounds to him on the condition he was to assist his family. But as I have seen since time and time again since we were boys, he cares only for himself. Mr. Chapman burned through the twenty-five thousand pounds in the span of one year on drink, horseflesh, and cards. With my refusal to release any additional monies, Mr. Chapman blames me for ‘depriving him of the life he deserves to live.”
“The morning of the accident, the riderless horse I was chasing in Hyde Park belonged to our mutual foe. As he has in the past, he had imbibed in too much drink and fell off his horse, letting it run free. It was he who spotted us together.”
Twenty-five thousand pounds, if used properly, was enough to last a person a lifetime. To hear Mr. Chapman spent that much in one year.Helen shivered. She had never been more grateful to Papa for his ability to see men as they truly were.
“Should you seek to question the veracity of my story, please speak to—”
“That will not be necessary.” Papa held up his hand. “The better question now is how will we handle Mr. Chapman?”
“I have long been purchasing my wayward cousin’s debts.” Robert’s brow furrowed. “He and I are long overdue to have a tête-à-tête. I intend to make him aware that this is his final warning. Unless his behavior undergoes an about face, I will have him sent to debtor’s prison. He has harmed me, and now Miss Davenport, for the final time.”
Helen thought Robert looked as she might picture the sea god Poseidon, ready to punish Odysseus for blinding his Cyclopes son in Homer’sOdyssey. She would not wish to make an enemy of her future husband.
Epilogue
“My daughter is getting married.”
Helen blinked back her tears whilst watching her father dry his own eyes. “Papa, we cannot start this again,” she cried, her voice low.
“There will be no tears today. Only happiness,” Aunt Sarah said.
“Your aunt is right.” Papa held Helen’s right hand. “Today is a day to celebrate a melding of two minds and kindred spirits.” He sniffed.
Helen dabbed her cheek lightly.
Uncle William burst in just then. “The archbishop has arrived.”
Five minutes later, Helen stood at the door to the church with her father, her arm hooked around his. In her hands was the most beautiful bouquet—a mix of orange blossoms, white roses, and hyacinths. Her bridal gown was an exquisite light green, adorned in hundreds of tiny pearls and trimmed with gold and ivory embroidery. On her neck, she wore a coral collared necklace, the same one her mother had worn on her wedding day.
Her father smiled down at her. “Are you ready?”
She let out a shaky exhale. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The pipe organ began to play.
Papa chuckled. “It’s time to hand you over to His Grace.” He kissed her on the cheek.
She inhaled deeply as the doors to the church opened, revealing a congregation of well-wishers and family. Her eyes, however, went straight to the man at the end of the aisle.
Her stomach somersaulted as Robert smiled wider than she had ever seen. His eyes brimmed with so much hope and admiration. His grey pinstriped waistcoat, blue tailcoat, and trousers accentuated his turquoise eyes. She took all of him in, still having a difficult time believing this was her wedding.
Following the directions of the clergyman, her father handed her over to her soon-to-be husband, kissing her forehead once more. Robert squeezed her hand. They faced the archbishop, and before Helen could process all that was happening, the couple exchanged rings, and shortly thereafter, was pronounced husband and wife.
Her heart pounded as they drew closer.
“You are so beautiful,” Robert whispered, low enough so only she could hear it.
Her lips parted as they moved into one another. Robert wrapped his arms around her, and they kissed. To Helen, it was as if a butterfly had landed on her arm and its delicate wings were fluttering softly. Internally, new sensations and emotions stirred.
So, this is love.
She would never forget the bliss that filled her as they walked up the aisle together, or the happy smiles her father, Uncle William, and Aunt Sarah beamed at her.
Outside the church, a carriage awaited them. As Helen was handed up by a footman in gold-and-red livery, she smoothed out her skirt, before sitting down upon a sharp object. She lifted the thin rug to investigate the source of the discomfort. To her utter surprise, a brown-paper-wrapped parcel lay hidden in wait.
The carriage rocked as Robert climbed inside. The door was shut and steps lifted. “Walk on.” He tapped on the roof. “Helen, what do you have there?”