He softly touched her lips with his own. It was a gentle kiss and over too soon. Lily surprised him by kissing him back not quite so gentle, though it appeared to be a not unwelcome surprise. She thought it well that he was to know how to steal a kiss or two, as she hoped that he stole them often.
A sudden thought broke into her happiness. “Your estates,” she cried. “My dowry is not… Oh! Miss Blaise!”
Lord Ashworth kissed her again to put a stop to her words. He pulled away and whispered, “Do cease being a ninny about money and, good God, never mention Miss Blaise again. We will find a way forward and I will provide for your sisters, too. My holdings are on their way to profit and I will see that they stay that way.”
Lily felt relief flood through her. There was no need to consider Miss Blaise or any other heiress.
“You shall have everything you wish for,” Lord Ashworth said. “I have always vowed my wife shall not be pinched. Now, tell me—what would you prefer as a wedding present?
Lily had not grown up swimming in fripperies and did not much care. She had what she wanted. Though, the smallest idea presented itself to her.
“I wonder,” she said, “if you would ever have a need to employ a young man. A very young man with no particular skills.”
“Would this be a young man once seen lurking on Lady Jersey’s steps?” Lord Ashworth asked.
“Indeed, Sam,” Lily said, surprised. “How can you know him?”
“Because I was in my carriage listening to that rather remarkable exchange. I am certain I fell in love with you when you demanded water, a roll, a tuppence, and a bath for that scamp. I employed him that very day, and his mother too—you could not really expect that Riddick would continue to pay him a tuppence forevermore?”
“I did hope he would…”
“He certainly would not have. Nowyoumust tellmewhen you fell violently in love with me,” Lord Ashworth said, playing with a curl at her neck.
“So you are violently in love with me?”
“Terribly.”
“Violently, well… I suppose there were the two times I fell into your arms and then the interesting trip to your carriage.”
“Hah, had I known, I might have carried you round Berkeley Square days ago.”
“Riddick would have been appalled,” Lily said, laughing.
“And what care we? In any case, my darling,” he said, “I thought we might take a wedding trip to the Continent. I imagine there are no end of players who would challenge us. Then, we can return at our leisure and scandalize a hundred Riddicks if we like.”
Lily felt a lightness about her that she had not yet known in her life of worry. She erupted in peals of laughter. “Do we dare it? We may become notorious.”
“Of course we dare it. No lady has the steady nerves of my Lily,” Lord Ashworth said, “Further, after we have built up our fortune, I propose we keep ten thousand in a bank between us. We might bet one another for years to come.”
“Are you certain you could ever prevail?” Lily asked playfully.
“Perhaps,” he said. “If I can ever figure out your secret.”
“Oh, it is no secret really,” Lily said. “I see details where others do not, and I remember them.”
“I shudder to think what you have seen in me,” Lord Ashworth said.
“Perhaps different things at different moments,” Lily said. “Though all seems remarkably clear and settled now.”
“I will work to remain the man you see now, then. You will never have to question me again.”
Lily touched his cheek and said, “Do not become too staid, though. Even when I disliked you, I found you rather dashing.”
“Then I’d best sweep you off your feet and take you in,” Lord Ashworth said, “just as I carried you to my carriage.”
“But your arm,” Lily said.
“My arms will always be able to carry you.”
