Page 58 of Dare to Risk it All

“And yet now you are engaged,” Rothborn said, with the quirk of an eyebrow.

Greer rolled her eyes at him. “He only said it to scare me off, because he thought I could do better than him. He’s afraid he’s unworthy of me, because of his past and his lack of funds.”

Raphe sighed, raking a hand through his hair.

“Well, it’s true,” Greer said, her chin jutting stubbornly. She folded her arms, daring him to contradict her. “Don’t deny it. Rothborn knows you’re a good man at heart, or he’d have washed his hands of you long since.”

“You are so like your mother,” Rothborn said, regarding Greer with a faint smile.

Greer shrugged. “Yes, people say that all the time. It’s because I’m dreadful and can’t keep my mouth shut.”

Despite everything, Raphe snorted and shook his head. “No, love. That’s not why.”

Greer frowned, but Rothborn enlightened her. “It is because you are passionate and loyal to a fault and you never give an easy lie when the truth will help someone else, even if it hurts you.”

“Yes,” Raphe said, meeting Rothborn’s dark eyes, allowing him to see everything he felt, hiding nothing. “Yes, that’s why.”

Rothborn watched him for a long moment before turning back to Greer. “Leave us now, if you would, my dear. I wish to speak to Raphe in private.”

“But—”

“I will not rake him over the coals, so be easy,” Rothborn spoke over her objection. “You’ve convinced me this latest debacle is none of his doing.”

Raphe let out a breath of relief as Greer ran to Rothborn and kissed his cheek. “Oh, I’m so glad, sir. Please, be kind to him. He’s worked so hard to impress you and I’ve been a terrible trial to him.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Rothborn said, chuckling.

Greer sent Raphe a look of such warmth he felt he might actually survive the night. After all, if she had such faith in him, how could he fail?

The door closed and Rothborn gestured for him to sit down. Still somewhat uneasy, Raphe took the chair opposite his mentor and tried to appear relaxed.

“Marriage is a big step. You barely know the girl.”

Raphe nodded. “I know. Yet, strangely, I do know her, or I feel as if I do. I know her heart. I’ve met no one like her before. She’s the one. Don’t ask me how I know, but I know I’ve a chance with her.”

“She’ll save you from yourself, you mean?” Rothborn asked, frowning.

Raphe considered that and shook his head. “No. Not exactly, anyway. More like, I’ll save myself because of her, because I have something to fight for, someone to make proud.”

Raphe watched as the man nodded his understanding.

“I always wanted to make you proud, too, sir,” Raphe said hastily, in case he thought Raphe was ungrateful for all he’d done.

Rothborn laughed, regarding him with affection. “It’s hardly the same. You resented me as much as you wished for my approval, and I understand that. You needed your father, not some interfering acquaintance. But for what it’s worth, I am proud of you. Very proud. You could have given up, but you fought back, and that took strength of character and courage.”

Raphe let out a ragged breath, shocked by the impact those words had. He’d not realised how badly he’d needed to hear that. “You never interfered, and I wish I’d not been so damned ungrateful for all you did for us, for me. It must have been a thankless task.”

He experienced a swell of shame, remembering how badly he’d raged against Rothborn over the years, when he could see now—with the eyes of an adult—how desperate the man had been to help him and his family. He’d been too proud, and too ashamed to understand he’d had a friend and ally, not an adversary. It had taken him too long to understand that.

“No. Not in the least. I only feared I was making a dreadful mull of it. It was natural you should lash out after what you’d endured. I made myself a target because you needed one. I never minded angry words. I only feared for you. I was afraid I would never reach you.”

“You did,” Raphe said, his voice quiet now. “You did more than you know.”

“I’m glad.” Rothborn smiled, and the smile was so full of genuine happiness for him that Raphe relaxed at last. “So, my lad, what now? A married man, by God.”

“Yes.” Raphe considered that and gave a bark of laughter. “I don’t quite know how it happened. It’s all a bit of a blur. Her father said meeting her mother was like getting run down by the mail coach. I know exactly what he means.”

“They are a lively family,” Rothborn agreed. “You’ll never have a dull moment, and just imagine… you might have daughters.”