Page 46 of The Duke of My Desire

The dowager duchess arched her brows. “Oh?”

“I love your son, Your Grace,” Justina said. “Very, very much.”

The two women looked at one another for a long moment, as if sharing a private conversation, one Gregory didn’t quite understand.

“Well, I am very pleased to hear that,” his mother said briskly. “You have chosen well for yourself, Gregory, even if she was not my original choice.”

Gregory shook his head, fighting not to roll his eyes. Even now, his mother could not help but offer her opinion, which, by the by, no one had asked for. But he supposed that would never change.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Justina said, obviously trying not to laugh.

“Take care of him,” the duchess ordered. “It shan’t be easy for me to hand my son over to your care, but I trust he will be in capable hands.”

Justina grinned. “He will, indeed.”

Heat flooded Gregory’s cheeks and he cleared his throat. “Yes, well, we mustn’t keep the magistrate waiting.”

He ushered the ladies to the door, and they spent the next forty-five minutes ensconced in the guest parlor with the magistrate, going over the events of the morning.

When they had finished, Lovelace was escorted from the room, his hands bound in front of him, his expression worried, as if he’d only just realized what his actions had wrought.

They wouldn’t need to worry about Lovelace any longer. He would go to prison for what he’d done and would remain there for a good long while. Gregory would make sure of it.

Still, it would take a long while before the image of the brute’s knife at Justina’s throat would cease to haunt him, but he knew every day with her by his side would help to erase it all. He would do everything in his power to ensure that Justina felt safe and loved every day of their life together.

“Well, I’m glad that’s finished,” the dowager duchess said as she rose from her chair. “Now, I think I could do with a cup of tea.”

Justina nodded. “So could I, Your Grace. There’s a lovely little back garden with tables and chairs. Shall we have our tea out there?”

“An excellent idea, Lady Dunne. I’ll arrange it with the innkeeper’s wife.”

After his mother had left the room and he was alone with his wife-to-be, Gregory pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her waist, tugging her to him.

“Thank you for being so sweet to my mother,” he said. “She isn’t always easy to know.”

Justina shrugged. “I think I like her.”

“I’m glad. She likes you.”

She gave him a winsome grin. “Was there ever any doubt?”

“None whatsoever.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re wonderful.”

“Then it’s lucky for you I’ve agreed to be your wife.”

Gregory sobered and looked at her tenderly. “You don’t have to tell me that.”

He kissed her, long and deep, showing her how happy she’d made him, and how grateful he was that she was his. He was relieved his mother approved of his decision to marry Justina. Her opinion wasn’t all that mattered to him, but it did matter, and there was no denying that her approval would make life easier for them all.

“I can’t wait to marry you,” Justina whispered a moment later, looking up at him with so much love in her eyes it took Gregory’s breath away.

“The feeling is entirely mutual.” He kissed her again then drew back. “Shall we return to London today or go on to your sister’s house? You are no longer in danger, but I would like to meet your family.”

“And I want you to meet them,” she said, “but it’s been rather a trying day. Perhaps we should stay here another night and leave for Cheshire tomorrow?”

She slipped her hands under the lapels of his coat and pressed a lingering kiss to his lips that left no doubt as to where her thoughts had strayed.

“Let’s leave tomorrow,” he said gruffly, his hands slipping down to cup her delectable bottom. “Or perhaps the day after that.”