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Not only was the knot of tension in her stomach coiling tighter with each passing moment—almost as if she sensed the assassin was closing in—but Breanna felt as if she would burst if she didn't share her secret with Stacie.
She was pacing in the hallway when her cousin wandered downstairs for breakfast, and Breanna pounced on her, dragged her into the sitting room.
“Breanna, what is it?” Stacie demanded, blinking at her cousin's uncharacteristic impatience. “Has something happened? Damen told me what Royce figured out last night. He also said Royce was riding to the docks first thing today. Have you heard from him?”
“Not yet. He's still in London.” Breanna shut the door, leaned back against it. “Stacie—”
“I can't believe I” slept through all the excitement. I suppose I just—”
“Stacie!” Breanna broke in, unable to wait another instant. “There's something I want to tell you. Something that has nothing to do with the assassin. But I'm going to explode if I wait any longer.”
Stacie's entire demeanor changed, and a spark of anticipation lit her eyes. 'This is about Royce.”
“Yes.” Breanna watched her cousin's expression. “I told him I love him.” A pause. “Are you shocked? Because, if so, here's something even more shocking. He loves me, too.”
Joy erupted on Stacie's face, and she rushed over, hugged her cousin fiercely. “Shocked? Why would I be shocked? I knew it! I knew it the first time I saw you two together.”
“I appreciate your faith,” Breanna laughed. “Did you happen to hear what I said about who initiated these declarations? I did. I called Royce into my bedchamber and announced that I love him.”
Stacie drew back, approval shining in her eyes. “Good for you. If you're waiting for me to be astounded, don't. I know all about that inner resolve of yours. You're as strong and determined as I am. It was only a matter of finding the right man to bring out those qualities.”
Breanna smiled. “I've found him. And, Stacie, he's asked me to marry rum.”
“You said yes, of course.”
“I did.” Breanna lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “And then I seduced him.”
This time Stacie's jaw dropped. Recovering herself, she began to laugh. “Now I am impressed. Although having seen the way Royce looks at you, I doubt you had to work very hard.”
“True enough.” A becoming flush stained Breanna's cheeks. “Stacie, I know how frightening everything in our lives seems right now, how terrified we are for the future of your babe. I have no right to feel these bouts of joy—but I do. In fact, I cling to them. It's as if they're all I have to keep from going mad.”
“Listen to me.” Stacie gripped her cousin's hands tightly. “Don't you dare apologize for the joy you feel. Being in love with Damen was the only thing that kept me sane when your father was hunting me down. Happiness is something to seize, to revel in. And that's precisely what we're going to do. You and I are going to use these endless hours of confinement to plan your wedding. Just think how elated Grandfather would be.”
“You're right. He would.” Breanna swallowed past the lump in her throat. “You'll be my bridal attendant, of course.”
“Naturally.” Stacie grinned. “And I promise not to carry a chamber pot down the aisle with me.”
They'd just started making plans when the sitting-room door nearly burst from its hinges, and Damen and Wells exploded into the room.
“Hibbert was right. They're in here,” Wells said, sagging with relief.
“Why did you leave the room without me?” Damen demanded, glaring at his wife. “I thought you were still abed.”
Stacie sighed. “Damen, you finally fell asleep. It was half after nine. I couldn't bear to awaken you. So I came downstairs for some breakfast.” She exchanged glances with Breanna, and grinned. “Which I still haven't eaten, by the way.”
Now Wells looked totally stricken. “You haven't? I'll bring you something at once.”
“Wells, wait.” Breanna rose, going over to him and laying her hand gently on his forearm. “Forgive me for detaining Stacie. But I had a very good reason.” She paused, searching for the right words. “You and I have a very special bond, my dear friend. You've protected me from my father my whole life, even those years when Stacie was in America. You've been my friend, my rescuer and, in all ways that matter, my family. So I have a request to make. Actually two requests. Royce has asked me to marry him. It would mean a great deal to me if you'd give us your blessing. Also, I'd be honored if you'd walk me down the aisle, give me away to the man I love.”
Moisture actually glinted in Wells's eyes, and he swallowed twice before replying. “I'm not surprised by the announcement. But I am overwhelmed by the requests.” He covered her hand with his. “Lord Royce is a fine man. He loves you deeply. Your grandfather would be overjoyed. And so am I. So, yes you have my blessing. And just as I stood in for your grandfather once, gave Miss Stacie to Lord Sheldrake, I'd be elated to do the same for you and Lord Royce.”
“Thank you.” Breanna rose up on tiptoe, kissed Wells's cheek, then turned to accept Damen's congratulatory hug. “Now,” she informed the two men, “you may feed my poor starving cousin.”
They all laughed, and the very sound of it felt wonderful after the strain of the past few weeks.
It also made them crave normalcy even more.
Normalcy was not yet to be.
