Page 29 of Maid for the Marquess

Good heavens, he was already giving me more than I had dreamed possible for myself—a home, a husband, a family of my own.

He frowned. “A groom will accompany us at a proper distance for propriety’s sake, if that is what concerns you. Although the nature of our engagement is rather unusual, I’ll not have a word of scandal breathed about you.”

His words sent a trickle of some indefinable emotion through me. “I thank you for that, but what I meant was that you hardly need to persuade me to marry you by showing me your estate. I’ve already agreed to become your wife.”

“Of course you have,” he agreed smoothly, “but won’t you allow me an excuse to spend more time in your delightful company?”

“Is that what you are truly about, my lord?”

“Without question.”

A smile twitched at my own lips, and my heart felt lighter than it had in as long as I could remember. “Then I suppose I must allow it as your future marchioness.”

“Indeed,” he said with mock sternness, “you really must. In fact, as your future husband, I insist upon it.”

Another flutter of something wonderful and terrifying went through me. The Marquess of Wheaton could be quite charming when he wished to be. How easy it would be to fall in love with him.

The grooms emerged from the stables before either of us could say another word, and we spent the next few hours riding across the farms, fields, and woods of his estate. By the time we returned, I was sore and tired and a trifle chilled, but my heart had never been happier.

ALEXANDER

Two days later, Edward strode into my study, his coat swinging behind him. I stood to greet him, surprised and pleased to see him so soon.

“Edward.” I clasped his hand and shook it firmly. “How fare you?”

“Excellent, my lord.”

“And what of Knight?”

“He is in the stable being rubbed down and his own groom attending him.”

“I did not yet expect to see you so soon.” I indicated the chair in front of my desk. “Sit and tell me all.”

“Knight’s leg healed well enough to travel slowly. Lydia and I started out very early and arrived a short time ago. She handled Knight well.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise. “Lydia?”

“She grew up on a farm and is an excellent horsewoman. We went slowly, and her weight is so slight it was as if Knight was carrying nothing at all. He liked her.”

“Ah. And Geraldine?”

“Is being driven by the groom. They will arrive later, and he will spend the night and return tomorrow. I knew you would prefer to get Knight here as quickly as possible.”

“Excellent decision.”

“I also assumed you would be wanting to take Miss Smythe on to London. Have you received word from Beckett?”

“Ah.” I rose and poured us each a measure of scotch. I handed him a glass and perched on the edge of the desk. “There has been a change of plans. I have written to Beckett, but she will not be going to London.”

“She is to stay here, then? As a maid?”

I cleared my throat, took a sip of my scotch, and met his eyes. “As my wife.”

For a moment, there was silence. He blinked, looked around, then met my gaze, his confused. “I beg your pardon, my lord. I thought you said you were marrying the chit.”

“That chit is about to be my marchioness, so watch your tongue,” I rebuked him mildly. I knew he was confused. Hell, it was my idea, and I was still confused.

“Forgive me.”