In the Arms of an Earl (The Duke's Daughters Book 4)(10)

“Doubtful,” Amelia said at once, shaking her head. “I think father might need to speak to him, to make things clear.”

“Did I hear my name?”

Harmonia laughed as her father came into the room, looking happier and healthier than he had for a long time.

“You look well, papa,” she said, getting to her feet to kiss his cheek. “And yes, we were speaking of you but only in the very best terms.”

Amelia greeted him and smiled. “We were talking of Luke, papa.”

“Luke!” he exclaimed, with a bright smile. “Well I never. I have just had him visit me.”

The happiness in Harmonia’s heart died at once. “He was here?” she asked, looking over at Amelia who was looking over at her father in confusion. “When? Why?”

Her father smiled, looking quite delighted. “He has asked to pay you court, Harmonia.”

Harmonia’s mouth fell open, her eyes wide.

“You do not look particularly pleased,” her father said, with a confused expression on his face. “I thought you would be delighted about such news.”

Her chest was so tight that Harmonia found herself struggling to breathe, her throat squeezing with pain.

“Luke has not been given any kind of welcome from Harmonia, papa,” Amelia said slowly, clearly trying to be as clear and yet as careful as possible. “I do not think that he is a good choice for her.”

Harmonia watched her father’s gaze lift from Amelia and return to her, lines creasing in his forehead.

“But I thought you had been considering him for some time, Harmonia,” he said, frowning hard. “You are telling me now that you do not wish to court him?”

Harmonia shook her head fervently, her heart still thundering wildly. “No, papa. I do not. I have said as much to him also.”

“I see,” her father replied, slowly. “You will be relieved to know, then, that I told him that his suit would only be welcomed if you agreed to it.”

“Indeed,” Harmonia breathed, one hand pressed against her heart. “I am very relieved, papa.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I am glad, my dear. I must admit to being very puzzled about this entire matter, for I thought you were quite open to him.”

“I was,” Harmonia admitted, settling back into her chair as the tension drained from her. “But I have seen the truth in what my sisters have expressed, in terms of how different the two of us are. I do not think that he would do well as a husband, papa. I think we are much too dissimilar. In addition, I have found him possessive, aggressive and unpardonably rude these last few weeks and he is quite determined to ignore everything I have to say about the association between us.”

Her father frowned, his expression growing grim. “Rude? Aggressive?”

“I have been mitigating it as best as I can,” Amelia said quickly, “but Harmonia is right. Luke is ignoring Harmonia’s thoughts on the matter and is very insistent.”

“And you have tried to speak to him about this?”

Harmonia nodded in answer to her father’s question. “But I intend to do so again, to make things perfectly clear.”

Her father nodded, his jaw set. “If he does not listen to you this time, then I shall step in at once, Harmonia. As I have come to learn, my daughters do best when they are allowed to choose their own suitors, and so I will support you in this. I only want the best for you.”

Harmonia smiled, her heart lifting. “I am very glad for that, papa.”

The anger left his expression as he drew in a long breath. “Very good, Harmonia. I insist that you inform me as to how this situation progresses. I do not want you to be alone in this.” His eyes dimmed. “I already made that mistake with Jacintha.”

“You did not make a mistake,” Harmonia replied at once, not wishing her father to carry any kind of burden. “No-one could know of Lord Slate’s true nature.”

Her father made to reply, only for there to be a knock at the door. The butler entered when called, carrying a small bouquet of flowers and a note, which he presented to Harmonia.

“This came for you only a few minutes ago, my lady,” he said, crisply. “Can I be of any assistance whilst I am here?”

Amelia ordered a fresh tea tray for the three of them and then looked at Harmonia expectantly.

Harmonia could smell the blooms even before she lifted them to her nose, delighted with the sight of them. They were delicate and gentle, making her smile.

“Well?” Amelia continued, impatiently, her eye dancing. “Who sent them to you?”

A little embarrassed at having to read the note in the presence of both her father and sister, Harmonia opened it carefully, her heart singing as she saw Lord Newford’s name on the bottom.

“Lord Newford – the Earl of Newford, papa – wishes to call on me tomorrow afternoon, so long as you consent,” she said, quietly, glancing up at her father. “Might I accept?”

“The Earl of Newford, you say?” her father asked, a smile on his face as he saw how happy Harmonia appeared to be. “You know of him, then? And is there more to this acquaintance than I might immediately suspect?”

Amelia chuckled. “Papa, do not tease her so. I have met him, and he is appearing to be a very amiable gentleman, with a kind smile and, from what I have seen, a strong interest in Harmonia.”