A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,55
the entry until the servant returned to advise him Sir Reginald would see him.
Thomas entered the library, surprised to see both Annabelle and her father in the room. “Good day, Sir Reginald. Miss Gold.”
She curtsied as he bowed to both her and Sir Reginald.
Her father stood behind his desk with a frown marring his brow. His stern expression suggested he was less than pleased by the situation though he gestured for both of them to take a seat as he did the same.
“I’ve come to ask your daughter’s hand in marriage.” Thomas risked another look at Annabelle, wishing she’d give him a hint as to what she was thinking. He hadn’t expected her to be there. Her presence unsettled him, bringing emotions to the surface. He dearly wanted to know how she was feeling. The shadows beneath her eyes suggested a sleepless night but told him little as to why. He longed to reach out to touch her, certain the physical connection would put everything to right.
“My daughter?” Sir Reginald glanced at Annabelle. “Which daughter?”
“Annabelle, sir.” Thomas waited as the man continued to stare at him with a blank look. Had he not understood him?
“And you are?”
The question gave Thomas pause for they’d just met, though it had been under unusual circumstances. He was aware Sir Reginald’s memory wasn’t what it used to be, and that he was sometimes confused, but Thomas hadn’t been prepared for him to have completely forgotten their last meeting.
“Thomas Raybourne.” He looked at Annabelle, hoping for guidance, but she watched her father with a worried expression that suggested more than marriage was on her mind.
Sir Reginald turned to his daughter. “What say you, Annabelle?”
She didn’t look at Thomas but held her father’s gaze. “I would be honored.” Her quiet words of agreement released some of his tension. While he hadn’t thought she’d refuse him, he’d at least expected an argument. Perhaps she realized they had no choice.
“Very well.” Sir Reginald nodded. “There will be a modest dowry, of course.”
Thomas smiled politely, grateful Aberland would be providing the specifics. The financial ramifications of marriage were something he needed to consider. He had to find more ways to improve business at Artemis Press in order to support Annabelle in the fashion she deserved.
But before he worried about that, he needed to know what she was thinking. Should he apologize to both of them for the previous evening? Had Annabelle or her mother told Sir Reginald about the reason behind his proposal?
“Excellent. It’s settled then.” Sir Reginald folded his hands on the polished desktop. “Annabelle, is there anything you’d like to say to Mr. Raybourne?”
She glanced at Thomas and managed a tight smile. “I look forward to discussing this further as soon as possible.”
What did that mean? Somehow, he had the impression he wouldn’t like it.
“Say what you have to say now,” her father insisted. “Best to clear the air before you say your vows.” Sir Reginald acted as though they’d be saying them soon. Was a quick marriage what the man expected?
Thomas waited, wondering how she’d respond. If he were still a betting man, he would’ve wagered that her thoughts centered on the murder investigation rather than the possibility of a future together.
“It’s nothing, Father,” Annabelle told him.
A knock on the door interrupted the stilted conversation.
“Enter,” Sir Reginald said.
Lady Gold opened the door, her gaze taking in each of them as she walked forward. Thomas rose to greet her.
“You’re just in time to join me in offering Mr. Raybourne and Annabelle our congratulations,” Sir Reginald said with a smile.
Lady Gold nodded but didn’t her small smile suggested she wasn’t especially pleased by the news. “How lovely. I wish you both the best.”
She held her daughter’s gaze for a long moment then embraced her and kissed her cheek. The look between mother and daughter was unfathomable to Thomas, leaving him to wonder. While unsurprised to realize she wasn’t particularly happy, that was only to be expected given the circumstances.
Still, it didn’t seem like a good way to begin his life with Annabelle.
The tension pressing on his shoulders steadily increased as Lady Gold turned and dipped her head as he bowed.
“Congratulations,” she said in a less than enthusiastic tone.
He detested the doubt evident in her expression. While he couldn’t blame her, he searched for a way to reassure both her and Annabelle.
“Please know that I will do everything in my power to make your daughter happy.” The vow slipped out before he had a chance to think about it,