What those settlements would be precisely, Vanessa was unsure. She talked quietly with the Bransons, but all the while her mind was awhirr. She began to formulate a plan in her mind which would test Clifford's character and perhaps finally allow her to put her fears about him to rest once and for all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Once they were back in Dr. Gold's house and Vanessa had removed all of her layers of outer clothing with the aid of the Jerome sisters, she followed the others into the parlor. Rather than sitting, she asked if she could speak with Clifford privately. Clifford looked slightly surprised, and asked if the doctor's study would do for the interview. <br> She nodded, and proceeded to that chamber. He left the door open and asked Henry to wait outside in the corridor for the sake of propriety, a fact that was not lost upon her, and for which she was grateful.
"This will only take a few moments," she said, debating on how direct an approach to regarding so momentous subject. Vanessa took a deep breath and ventured, "I've been thinking great deal about the circumstances that I have found myself in. I must confess that whilst my half-brother Gerald has done everything he can blacken you in my eyes, despite the fact that our acquaintance has been so brief, I have to admit that I find nothing objectionable about your person, manners, character, nor circle of friends."
"Why, thank you. How generous," he said with barely concealed sarcasm.
"Please, don't make this difficult for me."
He held up one hand by way of apology. "That was not my intention. I ask your pardon for being a trifle piqued at you sounding so surprised to find me unobjectionable." They both grinned at that. "Pray continue with your train of thought."
"Well, given the circumstances, and the fact that I have come to have a high regard for you and your family, I find my mind altered a great deal." She dared to look up into his warm gaze. "Indeed, my mind has changed so considerably, that I have come to the conclusion that our marriage would be not only advantageous to us both, but also, well, quite pleasant and er, well, desirable."
"A nice choice of words. I heartily approve of the word desirable."
"You're teasing me again," she said with a small pout.
He smiled at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "In the nicest possible way, of course."
"Yes, indeed," she said, returning his smile with a warm one of her own.
"So does this mean what I think it means?" he dared to ask hopefully, reaching for her hand. "Yes, I believe it does," she whispered. "Wonderful, just wonderful." He kissed the back of his hand, and the look on her face left her in no doubt of his sincerity. "So now that you have accepted my proposal, at least provisionally, we need to decide what to do next." "Next?" He nodded, and patted her hand. "There will of course be all of the arrangements to make. That is easy. The girls will be only too happy to assist. But I suspect that you're thinking more of what your solicitors are going to say about this whole matter, and whether or not they will give their consent."
She looked at him with relief. "That's exactly it."
"Well, there's only one way to find out. We shall invite them here to discuss the matter further and ask their blessing."
Her brows knit. "I'm a bit concerned at their finding me at the doctor's house, however. We would have to tell them the whole story, and I do not want Mason and Rogers to be unduly alarmed. I'm fine now."
Clifford nodded. "A good point. But you can most certainly stay with the Jeromes. I don't want you on your own at Hawkesworth House, as you know. You're at liberty to tell them the whole story of what took place between myself and Gerald, but I'm not sure that will advance our cause.
"On the other hand, I would never want it to be said that I had kept anything from them if they found out later about the card game. We will also need to give them the opportunity to make the appropriate inquiries regarding my character.
"Finally, we need to make sure that your worldly affairs are settled in a satisfactory manner."
She stirred restlessly in her chair for a moment. "I am sorry to be so blunt, but how much will you be requiring for a dowry?"
He stared at her. "Not a penny. I told you."
She was nonplused, and tried a different tack. "Well, at the very least you should have back the money you bet to win me. I believe Malcolm mentioned the sum of five thousand pounds as being the stake everyone put up to be allowed to join the game."
"That is true, but I do not need the money."