“But I’m promised to David.”
“A promise can be broken, his father spoke with me today, and told me as much. He warned me that David may come to make good on the promise. He has been cut off from his father, and will remain so for some time, if not ever.”
“You won’t make me marry him?”
“No. Rupert has asked me for your hand, you know. He cares about you a great deal. If you so choose, I will grant him the request.”
Elizabeth’s head was swimming. She nodded and stood. “I need to think on it,” she said, and she moved around her father’s desk to kiss the man on his cheek before departing.
The next day she sent a few servants out to find David. When he was located he agreed to meet Elizabeth at her home for lunch. They dined on sandwiches in the garden, and drank lemonade brewed by Ms. Hudson.
“I’m glad you asked to see me,” David said.
“I have something to tell you,” she said, looking across the table to him. “My father will not force me to marry you. Your father agrees.”
David tried to keep the anger from his face, but failed to do so. “That isn’t fair,” he said.
“However, stupid as I may be, I care for you greatly, and want you to care for me as well.”
“I do care for you, Elizabeth.”
“Then prove it. You have seven days to change my mind. As it is now, I will not marry you. Within a week, you may change that.”
“I have seven days to make you want to marry me? Is this a game?”
“No, it is not a game,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head. “And I hope you won’t treat it as one. You’ve played enough games, have you not?”
David said nothing.
“Good day, Mr. Weatherby,” Elizabeth said, before his lunch was even done.
He stood up and bowed his head. “Elizabeth,” he said, and he walked away.
Outside, David was furious, but he attempted to remain collected. He would simply have to sweep the young woman off of her feet. He had done it numerous times to others. How hard would it be?
He went to his father’s home to speak with his oldest sister, Gwen, who was five years younger than him. His father was at the bank, and so they sat in the drawing room and spoke. He told her of his plan, and the seven days he had to make her change her mind about marrying him.
“What are you going to do?” Gwen asked her brother.
“That’s why I’m speaking with you,” David said with a roguish grin. “How do I sweep this girl off of her bull headed feet?”
“Don’t refer to her as bull headed, for one,” Gwen said, and they shared a laugh.
“I don’t know what to do,” David said when the laughter faded.
“Girls like pretty things,” Gwen said.
“Pretty things cost money,” David said.
“Didn’t you have anything saved? Tucked away?”
David sighed and shook his head. “No,” he said shortly.
“Well, luckily for you, I have,” Gwen said. “You may have it, if you promise to pay me back.”
“Why do you have money?” David asked. “A man will provide for you.”
“A man like you?” Gwen said dryly, and she stood and disappeared for a moment. When she returned, she had a small purse with her, and she pressed it into her brother’s hand.
“Thank you,” David said, and he meant it. His little sisters had always been shining spots in his life, and now one of them had done this, and he felt a wave of gratitude and love wash over him. He stood and hugged his sister, and then departed in a hurry.
It was growing dark by the time he returned to Elizabeth’s home. He was let into the parlor once more, and she arrived shortly.
“I did not expect you back so soon,” she said.
David stepped to her, took her hand and kissed it, and then held a box out to her.
“This is for you,” he said.
She took the box and opened it. She looked to him and smiled. “It’s beautiful,” she said, lifting the fine golden chain from the box. It was a necklace, with a small azure pendant hanging from it.
“Will you be my wife?” David said, and Elizabeth laughed.
“No,” she said. “But thank whoever gave you the money for this.” She paused. “Buying me gifts is not what I am concerned about,” she added, even as she put the chain around her neck. She turned around, holding her hair up, and David stepped forward to lock the chain into place.
“Thank you,” she said. “If there’s nothing else, I think I’ll retire early for the night.” David nodded his head and left, feeling more discouraged than he ever had. He needed to marry that girl, or he didn’t know what he was going to do. His father seemed intent on keeping his money from his son.
He returned to the shabby Inn his father had agreed to put him into for a month, while he found his own way in the world, and he fell asleep quickly.
5