Beaufort did not approve of Lady Annalise being in danger, but he liked the idea that she did not wish to remain at Dutton Hall. “In truth, at this moment, I do not much care whether Alexander and Theodora know a bit of chaos. My concern lies with you.”
Tears formed in her eyes, and Navan knew he had made the best decision for him. He stood and removed the fork from her fingers and set it on the table. Then he knelt before her and claimed her hand. “Lady Annalise, since I first laid eyes upon you, you have truly bewitched me body and soul. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“What?” she gasped and looked around frantically as if considering an escape. “Are you confident?” she asked softly. “I know nothing of London society. I shall never be capable of serving as a hostess as does Lady Orson. I would not wish to be an embarrassment to you. Moreover, I do not expect Mr. Stark to take his failure quietly.”
“I am Irish, not English, and, in truth, I am not so enthralled with London society myself. In my opinion, it is a necessary evil,” Beaufortadmitted. “And what I require in a wife is a woman who can easily relate to my cottagers on my English estate, but mainly my Irish one, while still assisting me in leading them from the last century into this one. I require someone who does not fear a bit of work or a smudge of dirt on her cheek or her gown. I shan’t lie to you; those upon Beaufort land in Ireland are some of the most stubborn and unreasonable people you will ever encounter, but they are also excessively loyal to my earldom.”
“Would Alexander approve of our joining?” she asked.
“At the Beleward ball, I told your brother that it was my intention to court you when we returned to London for the spring session of Parliament,” he confessed.
“You did?” she asked with eyes big in surprise. “He never mentioned it, even in passing.”
“Before you respond, permit me to explain what I am thinking. Though I would prefer to wait until you reach your majority and you can make legal decisions for yourself, I must leave for Ireland in a matter of days, a week, at the most, if I am to reach my grandparents’ estate before snow arrives in Ireland’s mountains. If it is your wish, we may wait until the spring, but I am hoping you will agree to travel with me, first, to Scotland to marry, and then, we might take a ship to Ireland.”
“My brother will be livid,” she admitted.
“I do not fear him,” he said with a shrug, “but I would understand if you would prefer to wait. I shan’t change my mind regarding my offer, and, though disappointed, I would respect your choice.”
“Alexander left me here, though he knew I am not familiar with London society,” she reasoned, raising Navan’s hopes of success. “I do not imagine Mr. Stark will quickly forget what I executed yesterday afternoon.” She paused to look about her. “There is nothing in this house or room that announces my presence at Dutton Hall. Even my wardrobe was chosen by Lady Orson. I, too, have entertained the ideaof our marriage,” she admitted, “though I never thought it possible,” she announced with more boldness than Navan had expected.
The idea she had also favored him had Navan hiding a flinch of concern at meeting her expectations, while another part of him knew great pride in her choosing him above all other possible suitors. “I must warn you that your reputation will be ruined by our traveling together to Scotland, which will take us five or more days to achieve, depending on the weather. I promise not to claim you as my wife until the vows are exchanged, though I may steal more than one kiss to sustain me. I thought we might use the time for you to learn more of what to expect in Ireland, and we might exchange more tales of our upbringings—though each was assuredly not traditional.”
“I would enjoy further conversations,” she admitted innocently.
And he would enjoy teaching her more of how to please him. “When do you believe you would be well enough to travel?”
Her face screwed up in a bit of dread before she asked, “When shall word reach Alexander of my injury?”
“By late tomorrow or early the following day,” he supplied.
She nodded her understanding. “Then if we left tomorrow, we could be in Scotland before my brother reaches Dutton Hall,” she reasoned.
“Will you be well enough to travel by then?” he questioned in concern.
“The bullet only grazed my side,” she insisted. “And I can lay out on the bench in the coach if I tire too soon.”
He could barely breathe. Navan had never considered marriage previously, and this was a monumental commitment. “With your permission, I will leave you to your meal. I have much to accomplish today. I will return later.” He rose and then leaned down to present her with a gentle kiss. “You have made me a happy man, my lady.”
