Dark Persuasion by Vicki Hopkins

Author:Vicki Hopkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, historical romance, fiction historical, victorian england romance
Publisher: Holland & Eyre Press

Chapter 20 - The Groom

The week had been a whirlwind for Patrick. One thing led to another. Charlotte accepted his offer of marriage. Rupert lost. Game won.

His uncle, prior to his proposal, had cornered him and made one demand as a requirement of his final approval. If he should proceed with his ill-advised idea of marriage, that he at least have the decency to tell her father the truth. Otherwise, Lord Rochester himself would expose his identity before giving Patrick his blessing.

“It is the right thing to do,” he spoke with a stern voice. “You may not wish to tell her, but for heaven’s sake do not dupe her father. It is inexcusable to keep the wool over his eyes regarding your involvement in her blindness.”

Seeing the wisdom in his uncle’s counsel, Patrick called upon Dr. Gray. He took an enormous risk in telling her father the truth about the past. He could have forbidden the match and shot him on the spot.

As soon as he acknowledged his transgression, Dr. Gray cursed loudly enough to wake the dead. Patrick held his ground and took it like a man. Her father had the right to scream obscenities at him for years to come, as far as he was concerned. Dr. Gray waved his arms up and down, then point his finger in his face.

“Do you have any comprehension how your actions have stolen from dear Charlotte a normal life?” he ranted.

Then, without warning, Patrick broke. His unbridled confession elicited from his soul an embarrassing reaction—tears. Not a mere trickle down his cheeks, but a torrent of pent-up remorse. Like a weak-willed woman, he bowed his head and sobbed.

Her father must have envisioned him as one, because unexpectedly his countenance softened and his rage dissipated. The ire in his eyes faded, and empathy replaced hostility.

With embarrassment, Patrick pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face. Dr. Gray watched silently while Patrick attempted to compose his emotions. So much for a stiff upper lip, he thought, after blowing his nose. He warily raised his head and looked at Dr. Gray, trying to control his quivering lower lip.

“I am terribly sorry, Dr. Gray, for my offense toward your daughter,” he said in a raspy voice. “But, as God is my witness, I assure you that I love her deeply.” Sucking in a breath, he proceeded to request his permission.

“I humbly ask for her hand in marriage, so that I might care for and adore her for the rest of my life.”

At first, her father did not reply. His eyes merely bore through Patrick’s soul for a few moments.

“Out of pity?” he responded suspiciously, “Or do you truly love her as a husband should love a wife?”

“I love her deeply,” Patrick said earnestly. “I have from the moment I first saw her at my uncle’s home.”

Dr. Gray clearly wrestled with this declaration. Patrick did not know what else he could say to convince the man of his sincerity. Finally, after a few agonizing moments of silence, Dr.

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