Page 50 of Dare to Risk it All

There was a fraught silence that seemed to Raphe to stretch on for hours, and then Mr Cadogan held out his hand, smiling. “Welcome to the family.”

Raphe stared at the man’s outstretched hand in stunned disbelief.

“It’s not a trick,” her father said, clearly amused by his shocked response.

Gathering himself, Raphe gripped the man’s hand. “Thank you, Mr Cadogan. I won’t let you down, sir.”

He nodded and patted Raphe on the back. “Call me Jerry, and we’re glad to have you. I suppose we’d better discuss finances. No, don’t fret. I am well aware of your financial problems. I meant the dowry, and all that comes along with Greer. You realise, of course, that she’s rather—”

“I don’t want to know,” Raphe said, suddenly desperately certain he did not wish to discuss it. “I’m not marrying her for her money, though I know everyone will think otherwise. Of course, I’m glad if there is money enough to help rebuilt my estate for her and our children. I would not wish for her to be embarrassed. I want her to have a place she can be proud of, though it’s rather humble by these standards.”

Jerry snorted. “Versailles is rather humble by Royle House standards,” he said with a short laugh. “I’ve never seen so much gilding in one place before. Nonetheless, I really think you ought to know—”

Raphe shook his head, sick with embarrassment. The thought of sitting and listening to how much he would gain financially by marrying Greer made him ill. “I’ll leave my lawyers to deal with it. Truly, I am grateful for whatever there is. I’m certain it is more than I dreamed of, and I promise you that whatever legal provisions you wish to demand for Greer and any children we may have will meet with no objection from me.”

“Very well,” Jerry said, clearly amused by his discomfort. “As you prefer. I will leave it for now, though there’s no shame in it. Most of the men in aristocracy must marry for money these days. That you’ve a nobler reason is more luck than judgement, I’m afraid, though I’m deeply relieved for it. Your father left you in a very sticky position. All things considered, you’ve held the family together well. It was a great burden you’ve shouldered all these years.”

“I’ve hardly shouldered it. We’re constantly one step away from falling on our faces.”

Jerry’s expression grew stern. “You’ve done well in impossible circumstances. You were far too young for such a responsibility. It’s hardly any wonder you lost your way for a while. I think I might have done the same, but you’re all in one piece, your brothers are fine men, and not one of you is languishing in debtors’ prison.”

“Well, I suppose,” Raphe said, deeply uncomfortable with the entire conversation. He had heard Rothborn say similar things in the past but had believed the man had been trying to bolster his confidence, that he’d been being kind to a hopeless young man. To hear Jerry repeat the words made him wonder if he’d not made such a mess as he’d believed.

“There’s no suppose about it,” Jerry said cheerfully. “Now, then, why don’t we put the ladies out of their misery? Though, I feel I should warn you, Bonnie is simply dying to take you in hand.”

Raphe smiled, relieved to have survived the awkward bit and willing to endure any amount of fuss from Bonnie if she was happy to have him marry her daughter.

The inhabitants of Royle House had risen late and, despite their good humour, breakfast was subdued, with smothered yawns everywhere after the excesses of the previous evening. Greer had not eaten a bite as her nerves were jangled, and she now sat in the parlour with her mother and two sisters. Elspeth and Alana were playing cards whilst they waited for the gentlemen. They were going Christmas shopping when everyone was ready, and Alana was fidgeting with impatience. Greer knew how she felt, though for rather different reasons.

Greer got up, paced about the room, and then sat down again. She picked up a book, realised she was too jittery to read it, and put it down. A moment later, she was pacing again. She sat down, thought she heard voices outside the window, and got up to see. Oh, only a gardener. She went and sat down again.

“For heaven’s sake, Greer, whatever is wrong with you? You’re bobbing up and down like a jack-in-a-box,” Elspeth complained.

Greer flushed and avoided her mother’s eye. Only Mama knew what Raphe was doing, for Greer had been too afraid to tell Elspeth. She worried her sister might not approve, having seen Raphe at his worst.

“Nothing,” Greer said stiffly.

Elspeth glared at her suspiciously but returned her attention to the card game. Mama set down the book she was reading to reach out and give her hand a reassuring pat.

The door opened and Greer shot to her feet, her heart leaping to her throat as her father strode in with Raphe close behind.

“Ah, and here are my favourite ladies in all the world,” Papa said. “How can one man endure such a vision of loveliness?” he asked, pressing a theatrical hand to his heart.

Alana snorted, and Elspeth sent him a look of fond amusement.

“Jerry, do put the poor girl out of her misery,” Mama said, shaking her head in exasperation.

Elspeth sent Greer an alert look as she realised Raphe was staring at her. Greer couldn’t meet her gaze, could barely breathe as she waited.

Her father strung the moment out a little longer before saying, “Well, my dears, it seems we have some joyous news.”

“Oh, Papa!” Greer exclaimed, flying across the room to embrace her father. “Thank you.”

Her father laughed, picking her up and swinging her about like he’d done when she was a little girl. “I’m happy for you, love. Truly.”

Greer laughed, turning to Raphe, who was looking at her with such adoration her eyes burned. He held out his hand, and she took it, holding on tight. Alana ran up to them, hugging Greer and grinning at Raphe with obvious interest.

“Greer?” Elspeth said, and Greer turned, seeing concern and affection in her twin’s eyes.