Thea gazed up at Dom, looking like a thoroughly kissed woman. If his cousin saw her now, it would definitely be castration.
“Our betrothal was not your fault,” she said. “It might even have been mine for not finding someone to go with me. It’s just that there was so little time to warn you.”
He kissed her lightly. He would not allow her to blame herself. If she had been more prudent, he wouldn’t be engaged to her. Yet, when was she ever prudent? “Perhaps fate played a role. And, as I told you, I am pleased we are marrying. My only wish is that you are happy as well.”
“It has all been so sudden, but I am sure I will be fine.” She lowered her thick dusky lashes. “I like kissing you.”
It was then he knew. When Thea looked at him, she did not see a marquis or a wealthy landowner, she saw only the man. Had that ever happened to him before? When was the last time he’d forgotten, even for a few minutes, who he was?
“Merton,” his uncle said, grabbing him by the hand and dragging him away. “You have no business playing with the town boys. You have duties. You employ their fathers. Never forget who you are.”
He had been ten years old, and he had never disobeyed Uncle Alasdair until then. Dom blocked out the criticism he knew his uncle would have heaped upon him. Still, even his uncle would understand he had to marry Thea.
Then again, he had gone outside hoping to meet her. He had stubbornly refused to listen to her warning. Had he wanted them to be compromised? No one had mentioned that part of this whole situation.
“Is everything all right?” He glanced down and concern lurked in her wide green eyes as she stared up at him.
“I beg pardon?”
“It’s just that you looked far away for a moment.”
He lowered his head, brushing his lips across hers once more. “Yes, I’m fine. Everything is fine.”
It would be torture having her in his house. He could barely keep his hands off her now. No matter, they were marrying in any event. Nothing could stop that. Over half thetonhad seven or eight-month babies. Why should he wait? Damnation, what was he thinking? Worthington would never allow her to move into Merton House, and Dom could not ravish her under his own roof. His uncle had been right. Too much passion made a man reckless. He had to keep himself under control around her.
Forcing himself to drop his arms, he quickly took her hand. “We had better go back.”
They strolled slowly to the drawing room. When they entered the room, the ladies were still in deep discussions. But Worthington was gone, as were Charlotte and Louisa.
Dom didn’t want to wait a month. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Three weeks.”
Thea glanced up at him, confused. “Three weeks for what?”
“I do not wish to wait so long before we wed.” He blew on her ear, pleased when she shivered. He slowly toyed with the curls at the nape of her neck. “Do you?”
She searched his face for a moment before answering, “No.”
It was already close to the end of April. “We can marry in the middle of May. As soon as I receive confirmation that your father has been informed of our betrothal, I shall place the announcement in theMorning Post.”
Thea nodded and glanced toward the others in the room. “Excuse me.” She walked to where Grace, his mother, the Dowager Lady Worthington, and Lady Bellamny were talking. “Excuse me, but Lord Merton and I have decided we would like to marry in three weeks. There is no reason to wait longer.”
Grace and her mother-in-law each raised one brow. Dom’s mother smiled, and a knowing look appeared in Lady Bellamny’s black eyes.
She chuckled. “Merton, it’s about time you stopped being such a slow top.”
He inclined his head and grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
“There may be hope for you yet.”
As his uncle’s voice battered him, Dom’s hand slid to Thea’s waist and tightened.
Duty, Merton. Remember your duty.
Somehow he’d figure out how to make her happy. Was that not a duty as well?
* * *
The next day, Elizabeth paced the morning room, waiting for her cousin to call. Finally, at noon, her maid brought a note from Lavvie, stating she had been detained. Elizabeth pondered warning Miss Stern, but they were not close, and Elizabeth might be able to talk her cousin out of whatever it was she was planning. If only Papa hadn’t lied to her. That was what started this whole problem. Well, at least she would not have to speak with him about it. Gavin said he’d talk to their father.
