Page 66 of Redemption of a Marquess

“It is. You must marry me.”

He lifted a brow. “Indeed?”

She nodded. “It’s the only way to save you from scandal. You know that what happened here tonight will be all over Edinburgh by breakfast.”

She was right about that.

“And the story will be twisted to paint you in a very poor light.”

She was right about that, as well. “It won’t be the first time, and not the last,” he replied.

“People marry all the time to save themselves from scandal,” she said.

“Perhaps, but I am too far gone to be saved.”

She continued to nibble her bottom lip. “Then marry me to save me from scandal.” He started to reply, but she added, “I cannot return home. My mother’s new husband would never allow it.”

He wouldn’t allow that, anyway. “What of Joshua?” he asked gently.

Surprise flickered in her eyes. “Joshua is kind, but if rumors reach him that I am pregnant with your child…” She shrugged.

Valan pictured Gordon slumped between Brendan and Anthony when they dragged him from the room and was glad he was gone. If the two men hadn’t take him away, Valan would kill him. Still…Gordon wasn’t wholly to blame.

He looked at Jeanine. “There is no need for you to sacrifice yourself. I have found an elderly gentleman for you to marry.”

“You did?” she exclaimed, then frowned. “I do no’ care. It’s marry you or be ruined.”

He laughed. “More experienced women than you have tried to coerce me into marriage.”

“I think you mean ‘tricked.’ I am not tricking you. I am telling you directly that it’s marriage or ruin.”

Sadness squeezed his heart. “Why would you want to marry me, love?”

She looked at him in surprise. “Because I love you, silly.”

Peigi and Miss Stone entered. Peigi wore a soft yellow day dress, and Miss Stone carried a basin and pitcher, and had clean cloths slung over her shoulder. They stopped inside the doorway.

“Marry the elderly gentleman, Jeanine,” he urged. “Your comfort will be assured.”

She stared up at him, eyes shimmering. “Don’t you love me just a little?”

He smiled sadly. “I love you far too much to marry you. I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes, you do—and I deserve you.” She threw her arms around his neck. “Say yes. I promise I will not be one bit of trouble anymore and I will do everything just as you tell me to.”

“I don’t think you can,” he said with a laugh.

She pulled back and looked up at him, her expression serious. “Marry me and I will make certain you are never sorry.”

“It isn’t me who will be sorry, love.”

She tilted her head to one side. “Will you be sorry if you don’t marry me?”

“Yes, but that is my penance.”

Jeanine stood. “Do you want me to be happy?”

He sighed. “With all my heart.”