His Not So Sensible Miss (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 3) (30 page)

“
As far as my funds are
concerned, my employment is only a temporary matter.”

Emily whipped around to face him. He
had gone to his father earlier in the day, but he didn’t tell her
what they discussed. “He released your quarterly?”

“
No, and I doubt he ever
will. It is my investments. I’ll realize large profits within the
next months.”

“
I still don’t believe we
are being fair to Celia.” She knelt down and grabbed his hand. She
had to make him understand how important this was. “I was a year
older than your daughter when I lost my father. In the past month I
lost my only other living relatives. I am completely
alone.”

“
You don’t have to be.” He
squeezed her hand.

“
This is not about me. I am
simply trying to explain.” She let go, stood and walked away from
him. “Nobody can begin to appreciate family until they are gone. If
you marry me, your ties will be severed with your parents for good
and Celia will not have a chance to know them.”

“
Celia has me, the parents
of her mother and my uncle. She is very much loved.”

Emily whipped around. “Yes, but I will
not be the one responsible for her losing the rest. If you married
properly, she would have a chance to get to know her grandparents.
I am sure your mother and father will come to love her and regret
past decisions. It is not possible to have too much family.” Tears
formed in her eyes.

“
You are wrong.” Emily
turned to find a girl standing in the open door.

“
Celia, how long have you
been listening?” Dillon stood and went to his daughter.

“
I listened to enough,
father. Though I understand and appreciate Miss Frasier’s noble
gesture, I would like to explain my feelings on the
matter.”

Emily watched the young woman approach.
She was strikingly beautiful with her father’s dark curly hair and
thick lashes surrounding grey eyes. Few resemblances could be seen
between Celia and Dillon, other than his coloring. Emily could only
assume she looked like her mother. If that were the case, no wonder
Dillon had fallen for Rose at such a young age.

“
I have no desire to meet my
father’s parents. Ever! I know how they felt about my mother and
how they tried to ruin their marriage. They will only accept me if
father does as they wish.”

The child knew more then she
should.

“
Even if father had married
someone like Lady Claresta, my feelings would not have changed.
Their affections come at a price. I will still treat them with
respect in public, but no one can make me embrace them in
private.”

“
Perhaps they will change?”
Emily offered weakly.

“
It doesn’t matter.” Celia
shrugged. “I have grandparents who love me unconditionally and they
are my only grandparents. My father’s parents are merely relations.
If they loved him, they would never force him into these decisions.
And, if that is their form of love then I want nothing to do with
them.”

Could Emily really blame the girl for
feeling the way she did?

Dillon stood grinning behind his
daughter.

“
Besides, you make my father
happy. When I was ill he told me all about you and how much he
loved you.”

“
Are there any more
concerns, Emily?” Dillon came up from behind Celia and put his
hands on her shoulders and gave a delicate squeeze of
affection.

Emily tore her eyes from Celia and
looked to Dillon. “No.”

“
Good.” Father and daughter
stated in unison.

“
You must marry Father,”
Celia grasped her hands and pleaded. “It has been wonderful that I
can live in his house now and we can spend more time together. It
would be even better if he were happy.”

Emily noted the sincerity in the young
lady’s eyes. All will to refuse left her. “I would be very pleased
to marry your father, Celia, if you will have me as your
step-mother.”

“
Oh, I would like nothing
more.”

“
Nor would I.”

Celia turned, quickly hugged Dillon and
kissed him on the cheek before running back into the foyer where
she suspected Dillon’s uncle waited.

“
She’ll have everyone
alerted in a matter of moments.”

“
I suspected as much.” Emily
returned his smile.

“
I do love you,” Dillon said
softly as he came forward.

“
And, I love you.” Tears
sparkled in her eyes. Today doubt had been laid to rest and all her
dreams had come true.

Just as Dillon claimed her lips, the
door burst open.

“
None of that.” Ellings came
into the room. “The two of you have anticipated quite enough and
will not be left alone again.”

Emily’s face heated with embarrassment.
She was afraid her guardian knew the truth but didn’t dare ask. “I
suppose I should find Her Grace so we can plan a
wedding.”

“
Don’t take too long. You
will marry tomorrow.” The duke announced. “This took too long as it
is and I’m not going to give you a chance to come up with another
excuse.”

“
I wouldn’t dream of it,
Your Grace.” Emily returned the older man’s smile.

Chapter 20

Emily spun, admiring the gown in the
mirror. It was the most beautiful creation she had ever
worn.

“
How ever did you manage
this?” Emily was still awed at having an actual wedding dress. The
pale blue satin hugged her breasts then fell to the floor, as was
the fashion. Delicate capped sleeves ended with just a hint of ecru
lace. A small train fell behind. In its simplicity it was
elegant.

“
I’ve had a month, dear.
Madame Theresa already had your measurements.”

“
I only agreed to marry
Chambers yesterday.” Emily laughed.

“
Yes, I know, but he has
been determined to marry you for months. I knew it was only a
matter of time and decided not to waste a moment of it.

“
Thank you. It is
beautiful.” She hugged the woman who had been a mother to her when
both parents were gone.

“
Now, to add your veil.” Her
Grace held up a delicate diamond studded tiara from which lace
flowed from the tied ribbons.

Emily gasped. “This is too much. After
all, I’m only being married in the sitting room and I am not at all
sure a tiara is appropriate in any circumstances.”

“
It matters not where a
bride weds, whether it be cathedral or drawing room, as long as she
is dressed to look and feel like a bride. Besides, I think the
tiara is quite appropriate.”

Emily couldn’t argue. It was these
simple details that made the day all the more special.

“
Emily, I have brought your
bouquet.” Celia came into the room. In her hands was a nosegay of
pink, white and red roses.

Her eyes filled at the simple gift from
Dillon’s daughter. Soon to be her daughter as well. “Thank you,
Celia. They are lovely.”

A glance at Her Grace confirmed Emily’s
suspicions. The woman was crying, trying to hide her tears with a
handkerchief. Emily was in danger of turning into a watering pot
herself. “Oh, Your Grace, please don’t or we will both be sporting
red eyes and nose. It will completely ruin the effects of this
gown.”

The woman chuckled and dabbed her eyes.
“You’re correct. We must get control of ourselves.”

* * *

The wedding was short. Only those
friends closest to Dillon were in attendance. A celebration wedding
breakfast followed and when asked if she would have preferred a
grand wedding in one of the many cathedrals in London, Emily could
honestly answer no.

As the festivities began to wane,
Ellings drew both Emily and Dillon into the room he used as an
office. He seated them in the chairs before his desk and provided
each with a glass of Madeira before taking his own seat.

“
Though this is a bit
backwards, it is time we addressed the marriage
settlement.”

“
Please, Your Grace, we
don’t need anything, nor is Dillon in a position to offer much.”
Emily began.

“
His Grace and I have
already discussed my situation in detail.” Dillon assured her. He
just hoped he didn’t make his wife angry so soon into the marriage.
He then turned to Ellings.

“
I’ve given much thought on
what you would like to settle on Emily. Before I refused, but I
have reconsidered my position.”

“
Dillon, no. His Grace has
done more than enough by raising me after my father
died.”

“
May I ask why you have had
a change of heart?” Ellings watched Dillon with
curiosity.

“
I wish to see Emily’s
future secure. I will not touch the funds. On that you have my
promise.” He paused to look at his wife. “If something should
happen to me, I don’t want Emily to rely on charity. If my parents
are still living I can guarantee that they won’t help and I would
hate it if she had to return to you because she is without a
home.”

“
I think that is a wise
decision. Of course you know Emily, and Celia, will always have a
home with me if the need ever arises.”

“
Thank you, that does offer
comfort.” He straightened and cleared his throat. “I’ll also need
to work for you longer than anticipated. If that is possible, Your
Grace.” Dillon was becoming uncomfortable and would have preferred
his wife not see him ask for help.

“
May I ask why, though I
certainly have no objection?”

“
I would like to build my
investments and wealth for my daughter.” Dillon sat forward. “Celia
is just a year younger than Emily was when her father
died.”

“
He was much older than
you,” Emily argued.

“
Accidents and illnesses
still happen.” He smiled at her. “I have named Marius Parker as her
guardian in the event of my demise and I would like to assure the
funds are also available.”

Emily turned to face Dillon. “You would
have your daughter live with Marius over me.”

Dillon reached over and squeezed her
hand and smiled. “No, but a gentleman must be the guardian. If one
is not named, one will be appointed.”

“
You want to take the
opportunity from your parents,” Ellings observed.

“
Exactly, Your Grace. Celia
will still reside with Emily and Marius will see to their financial
needs, if necessary. He will never interfere or take over, of that
I can assure you. It is simply protection for Celia.”

“
Very wise, son,” Ellings
acknowledged.

“
I hope, Your Grace, that if
this ever becomes an issue and my parents protest, you will side
with my decision.”

“
Of course. They’ll have no
more success than they did before.” The older man
smiled.

Dillon finally relaxed back in his
chair, glad the interview had come to an end.

Ellings also sat back, cradling the
glass in his hands, studying the young couple. After some moments
he spoke. “You two remind me of a couple I once knew. I would like
to tell you about them.”

Dillon and Emily looked at
him.

“
The young man was of noble
birth. He was the fourth son who was expected to earn his own way
since the heir and a spare were already in place. Yet, his father
still expected certain things out of him such as the right position
in society, a wife with the right connections, and everything else
society expects.

What was the point of the story? If it
were they lived happily ever after he wished Ellings would get to
it. This was his wedding night after all.

“
In the summer of his
twenty-fourth year he decided to travel across England and see the
countryside. It was supposed to be the last pleasurable trip he
took for himself without any responsibility weighing him down. His
older brother was recently married and the man assumed a new heir
was just months to a year away putting him even further from the
title he wanted nothing to do with.

“
During his tour he met a
young lady of two and twenty. She was lovely, sweet, genuine and
kind. She was everything he had hoped to find in a
bride.”

Emily and Dillon exchanged glances,
guessing where this was leading.

“
You are correct. She was
not of the peerage, but her father was a gentleman by profession.
Still, she was far below this man’s status. Though he should have
moved on, the young man did not. You see, he had fallen in love
with this woman and wrote to his father. It was the only thing he
had ever asked for himself.” Ellings bit out as if he were bitter
over the entire matter. “Until that day, the man had always been
conscientious of his duty and always put those duties before his
own pleasures and supported and helped his brothers in any way he
could.”

“
His father refused,” Emily
guessed.

“
Threatened to cut him off?”
Dillon added.

“
And to disown him,” Ellings
clarified.