Page 57
Chapter Twenty-Two
Deo rose early as was his wont and took Kes out while Em slept. Returning to the house, he was approached by the duke’s butler, Creighton.
“A letter has arrived for you, my lord.” He held it out on a silver platter and Deo took it with thanks and a sinking stomach. Slipping it into his coat pocket, he made his way upstairs with Kes. Entering the sitting room, he sat down at the desk strewn with papers and books from last night and drew the letter out. He looked at it for a moment, dreading and yet anxious to know what it said. Taking a deep breath, he broke the seal and opened the sheet.
My Lord,
I regret to inform you that in the event that you have not obtained the lady’s father’s permission, her being underage does invalidate the marriage.
Following your instructions, we have written to Viscount Efford on your behalf to secure his permission, but have not, at the time of this writing, received a response. The matter of the lady’s name on the marriage license being different to her birth name does not have a material bearing on the validity of the marriage from a legal standpoint.
However, in order to rectify the situation, and ensure that the marriage is legally binding, we recommend that once you have obtained Viscount Efford’s permission, you apply for a new license and exchange your vows again with the lady in question, should you wish to do so, of course.
In the event that you do not, you cannot be held legally responsible for the lady or the state of her reputation. In particular because she deceived you in the matter of her age.
I remain your obedient servant,
Charles Armitage, Esq.
Deo sat staring at this missive for some time, prey to a mix of emotions, not the least of which was indignation at the notion he was not responsible for Em or the state of her reputation. Of course he was. If not legally then morally. Both of which considerations were irrelevant anyway, as he wished to be married legally to Em. The fact that he wasn’t made him feel rather sick.
Especially in light of the way they had been carrying on intimately for the past several days in particular. He was just thankful he had resisted the temptation to consummate the marriage fully. He knew it was a technicality, but his sense of honor was somewhat assuaged by the fact.
His impulse was to leave for London immediately to confront Viscount Efford and obtain his permission, but the fact that his solicitors had already written to him probably made that moot. He may very well receive a response almost on the heels of this letter he now held.
He could not think that Efford would withhold his consent in the circumstances. It wasn’t as if he was a bad match for Em. On the contrary, he was an excellent match on paper. He was possessed of a title, significant independent means, a clean reputation, and a healthy body and mind. The fact that Em was an heiress made no difference to him—his own income was sufficient to make it a nice bonus, but not one he had looked for. He would take Em if she were penniless.
The door opened and Em appeared in her robe, her hair tousled. She hadn’t plaited it last night. He reflected that once, not very long ago, the notion of seeing a woman in such disarray would have embarrassed him. Seeing Em like that gave him a flush of a different kind. She is my wife. Except she isn’t. She came toward him.
“What is it, Deo? Is that the letter?”
He nodded.
“What does it say?”
He held it out, and she took it with visibly trembling fingers. She read it, twice he thought, before she met his gaze. She looked a trifle pale. “What will you do?”
“What it says. Wait to obtain your father’s permission and secure a new license.”
“You want to do that?”
“Of course I do!”
“Are you sure? It says you don’t have to,” she pointed out.
“I am sure,” he said stiffly. “If you are?”
Her face crumpled and she said tearfully, “Of course! But what if Mama won’t consent?”
He frowned and pulled her into his lap, wrapping an arm round her. “Your father has no say in the matter?”
“Mama always gets what she wants,” said Em, sniffing.
“I really don’t anticipate that will be an issue, Em. I’m quite eligible, you know. In any case, if your parents should withhold consent, it could be deemed unreasonable in the circumstances. I don’t need or want your fortune, Em. Unlike Bidenden, I couldn’t give a toss how much money you have.”
“Oh, Deo.” She flung her arms round his neck, and he squeezed her.
“We will sort it out, Em, don’t worry. But I’ll sleep out here tonight.”
