Page 90 of When You Rescued Me

“I am glad to hear it,” Samuel replied. “For I am no fortune hunter.”

“Your desire to marry Hannah would be unchanged if she entered the marriage with no dowry?”

“It would,” Samuel said. “No matter the circumstances, there is nothing that would bring me greater happiness than to be Hannah’s husband. However, I love her too much to ask her to leave the comforts of her current home and family for a life that is significantly beneath her station.”

“Is that so?” Dennington said, leaning back in his chair and eyeing Samuel shrewdly. “Then it would seem that we are at an impasse.”

It was the opening Samuel had been waiting for. This was the time to tell Hannah and her father of his recent change in fortune. But before he could say anything, Hannah spoke.

“Father, I know that you have my best interest at heart, but this is not the time to treat my life as if it were a commodity to be bartered over.”

Dennington winced. “Is that what this sounds like?”

“Yes.” She reached out and placed a hand over his. “I love you, Father. I always will. But over the last few days, I have come to the realization that no matter Samuel’s challenging background or our unconventional first meeting, I have come to love and admire him more than any other gentleman of my acquaintance.” She offered Samuel a shy smile. “Until this moment, I was not sure if he felt the same, but now that I know that he does, there is no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with.”

At Hannah’s softly spoken declaration, renewed hope and unfathomable joy filled Samuel’s chest. Desperate to take her in his arms, it was all he could do to remain in his seat. But one look at Dennington’s face was sufficient to quell his personal desires.

Before any more time elapsed, he must put at least one of Hannah’s father’s lingering fears to rest. “There is something more,” he said. “Last night, when I met Mr. Francis Cantrell, he asked that I visit his office first thing this morning, which I did. He there informed me that Captain Oswald Lund—who mentored me from the moment I set foot on board his ship—chose to continue his watch care over me from beyond the grave. I learned today that with no naturally born heirs remaining in the Lund family, Captain Lund has bequeathed his family’s manor and extensive lands in Shropshire, along with a successful wool-production company to me.” He took a breath. “I left Cantrell’s office to come here before learning the details, but I believe it fair to say that whether we reside in London or Shropshire, I can now offer Hannah a comfortable home.”

Dennington was staring at Samuel as though he had suddenly sprouted two heads. “Lund Woolens,” he said. “You mean to tell me that you now own Lund Woolens?”

“I believe that is the name Cantrell gave me.”

“By all the heavens!” Dennington ran a hand across the back of his neck. “There is no finer nor more successful wool company in all of England.”

“Samuel!” Hannah cried. “How could you contain such news for so long?”

Was this when he should admit to feeling as unprepared for running a large home, farm, and business as he had been when he’d faced climbing the rigging for the first time?

“Asking your father for your hand was more important,” he said. “And I believe I secretly hoped that if your father would give his consent, you would agree to direct Lund Woolens’ business affairs for me.”

She gasped. “Father?”

Dennington looked from Hannah to Samuel, and then with a capitulating shake of his head, he slowly came to his feet. Samuel and Hannah did the same.

“You may not have known Hannah long, Ross,” Dennington said, “but you have learned the surest way to win her over. I admire your integrity and work ethic. If Hannah is willing to look beyond your unsavory past, then I shall do the same. She is very much like her mother, who chose to follow her heart over the lure of Society. And to the best of my knowledge, my wife never regretted her choice.”

“I shall do everything in my power to ensure that Hannah feels the same,” Samuel said.

“Very well,” Dennington said. “I give my consent to your marriage.” He leaned over and kissed Hannah’s cheek. “I am happy for you, my dear.”

“Thank you, Father.” Hannah embraced him. “I can scarcely believe my good fortune.”

He chuckled. “Well, whilst we are on the subject of fortunes, may I add that going forward, if Lund Woolens does not employ one of the Dennington ships to transport its bales of wool and fabric around the world, I shall be most put out.”

Hannah laughed softly. “I shall have to consult the company’s owner, but I believe it likely that a fair deal can be reached.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Dennington reached for his cane and slowly made his way around the table. He extended his free hand to Samuel. “Congratulations, Ross. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for the two of you.”

“Thank you, sir.” Samuel shook his hand. “And if I may be so bold, I would gladly accept any counsel you may have regarding navigating the world of business.”

“It is a far cry from navigating the Atlantic, to be sure,” he said. “But I have already given you the best possible resource.” He stepped back. “I have no doubt that Hannah will guide you aright.”

Samuel was equally convinced. “I am sure of it.”

“Well, I daresay it is long past time that I allowed you both a few moments alone.” Dennington offered Samuel a warning look. “A few moments, however, is all it shall be.”

Samuel bit back a smile. “Understood.”