“No,” Graydon said. “We—” He broke off as they heard the crunch of gravel and what sounded to be angry voices. People were rapidly approaching.
“Graydon! We have to do something now. Tabby can’t marry that odious little man. She—”
He put his hands on her shoulders, his face close to hers. “Trust me. Part of my training has been in solving problems. Remember that Caleb said I was made to run kingdoms.”
“That’s not exactly what he said. He thought you should run the Kingsley family. I don’t think they’re the same as an entire country. They’re just one small—”
“Stand behind me and be quiet!” Graydon ordered as his arm swept behind him and took Toby with it.
“Oooooh. Regency machismo,” she said. Graydon had his back to her and was looking at the crowd of people coming toward them. She had the idea that if she moved he’d push her back again. “On the other hand, I think you and I should talk about this and decide—”
“You want to marry me or not?” Graydon asked under his breath. Toby was too stunned to reply.
“It’s me or Osborne,” he said. “So which is it?”
“Uh …” Toby said.
“Is that your mother at the head of that lynching party?”
Toby looked around him. Lavinia Weber had been relatively nice to her the first time they’d met, but the woman coming toward them was the mother Toby had grown up with. She was always angry and it was usually directed at her only child. No matter how hard Toby had tried, she didn’t think she’d ever pleased her mother. It was that woman who was approaching.
“I’ll take you,” Toby said and moved behind Graydon more fully.
Lavinia stopped in front of Graydon and reached out to grab her daughter’s arm, but he blocked her. Behind her were half a dozen people, all watching with undisguised interest.
“Now I see why TV was invented,” Graydon said under his breath to Toby, and she almost giggled.
“My daughter is engaged to marry another man,” Lavinia said, her teeth clenched. “Tabitha! Step away from him.”
From a lifetime of training, Toby started to obey, but Graydon’s arm wouldn’t let her move.
“I ask your permission to marry your daughter,” he said.
“Denied!” Lavinia said loudly. “Tabitha! Come!”
Toby took a step forward.
“I will give up the sea,” Graydon said in his best, most authoritative princely voice. The reaction of the crowd was disbelieving laughter. Not what he was used to!
“Do I strike you as a fool?” Lavinia said, her anger rising. “You are a Kingsley. Your brother Caleb loves to say ‘You can replace a woman but there’s only one ocean.’ I’ll not have my daughter widowed within the year. Tabitha! Come with me this minute!”
Toby glanced up at Graydon and the calm on his face made her stand her ground.
“I’m afraid that my brother’s geography is a little off,” he said. “There are seven oceans but only one Tabitha.”
That caused another burst from the crowd, but this time they were on Garrett’s side. “I don’t believe you,” Lavinia said, glaring at her daughter.
The crowd’s favor was building Graydon’s confidence. When he spoke, his voice was louder, reaching the new people who were quickly adding to the crowd. “Get a lawyer to draw up a contract and I will sign it. Now, this night,” he said.
Lavinia scoffed. “You will give up the sea?”
“Kingsley or no, I am a bad sailor,” Graydon said. He expected the crowd to disagree, but instead they nodded yes.
“Good thing Lanconia is inland,” Toby said and stepped close enough to take his hand in hers.
“Good or bad sailor,” Graydon said, “I believe my family is known for its honesty. Our word is our bond.”
People nodded their heads in agreement, then looked back at Lavinia. The ship was now in her port.