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“Then tell me what is going on,” her father insisted.
Her mother came over then. The color had drained from her face. “My dreams…”
Francesca had forgotten about those. Her mother had been worried about her and had known in some fashion that something was wrong with her. “I’m sorry,” she said, and hiccupped. Francesca did her best to rein in her tears. “I never wanted to disappoint you.”
“You never could,” her father said and cupped her face. “You’re our daughter. Tell us what happened.”
She drew in a deep breath. “I married the Duke of Lindsey this afternoon.” Her mother’s mouth dropped open.
“The hell you did,” her father said. “That can and will be undone.”
“You can’t,” she told him. She shook her head emphatically. “I have to stay married to him.”
“Fran…” Her mother sounded so hurt…
“Why the hell would you marry him without speaking to us?” her father demanded.
“Because she’s carrying my child.” Matthew stood at the entrance to the library. He looked angry. Francesca frowned and considered perhaps she should have waited for him. “And no one is setting aside our marriage. She’s my wife, and she’s not leaving me.”
It had takenhim longer to get rid of Merrifield than he thought it would. When he finally convinced the marquess to leave he realized Cesca had slipped out while he was distracted. Once he realized she was gone he knew where to find her. There was only one place she’d run off to. She should have waited for him. He’d been so angry he had wanted to hit something and found himself wishing Merrifield hadn’t already left. He blamed his friend for distracting him.
Now he was in the library of Francesca’s grandfather’s house facing her parents, and he’d overheard them saying they would have their marriage set aside. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen. Matthew didn’t work so hard to convince her to marry him only to lose her now. She was his wife, and that was his child she carried.
Her mother turned toward her. “You’re having a baby?”
Cesca face blanched. “I was going to tell you…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I just hadn’t gotten to that part yet.” She glanced at Matthew. “You didn’t need to come over.”
“The hell I didn’t. You should have waited for me.” His tone was hard and unrelenting. “You don’t need to face anything alone ever again.”
“While I find it a little endearing,” Cesca’s mother began. “You do not need to protect her from us. We would never hurt her.”
He tilted his head to the side. “I did not think you would, but it is clear she is upset with something. She’s been crying.” He wanted to take away all her pain. “What did you say to her?”
“Nothing,” the Marquess of Blackthorn said. “She started crying before she told us anything. I have to wonder if it isus,she’s upset with, or is it perhapsyou?” He glared at Matthew. “What did you do to my daughter?”
Francesca stepped in front of her father. “Daddy, I don’t need your protection. Matthew didn’t do anything I didn’t want him to.”
He wasn’t certain he liked the idea of Cesca defending him. She was wrong though. He had taken advantage of her. She’d been innocent and he’d still used her as if she were a whore. He would like to claim he couldn’t help himself, and in some ways that was true, but not the whole truth. He could have stopped. Matthew hadn’t wanted to. When he first tasted her, kissed her, touched her…he’d become lost to her. When he’d taken her innocence, he should have offered for her then. It was his own self-loathing that had stopped him from doing so. He believed she deserved better than him. It was why she haunted him from that night on. “Love, it isn’t that simple.” He blew out a breath. “Your father has every right to be mad at me. I took advantage of you, and while I don’t regret making you mine it doesn’t change the facts. I saw you, I wanted you, and I had you. I should have waited.”
“Yes,” the marquess agreed. “You should have, and if you hadn’t already married Francesca, I’d have made you, then I probably would have killed you. Since you did the right thing without being forced into it, I’ll let you live.” His lips tilted upward into a menacing smile. “For now.” He held his gaze as he said, “You hurt her, and I’ll revisit the idea of killing you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” Matthew believed he would gladly end his life if he harmed Cesca. “I have no intention of doing so.” He looked at the marquess and held his gaze. “I love her.” He hadn’t realized that he did until that moment. Matthew had known he wanted her, and even needed her, but hadn’t realized the depth of his feelings. He turned to Cesca. “I love you. I realize you might not believe that, but I do, and I hope one day you’ll love me again.”
A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. “You’re a bloody fool.” She wiped the tear from her cheek. “I never stopped loving you.”
She crossed over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He held her close as if he might lose her if he let her go. Matthew was lucky to have her in his life. This entire day was full of surprises. “I’m ready to go home if you are.” He wanted to make love to her for the rest of the day. It might be too much to ask, but so far, she hadn’t had any difficult granting him his greatest desires. He only hoped that she might continue to do so for the rest of their days.
“In a little while.” She stepped back. “I think we should stay and have dinner with my parents. They should be given the opportunity to know you.”
He could have argued that point. They had a lot of time to become acquainted with him. He had married Cesca after all, and in half a year she’d bear his child, their grandchild. They would have plenty of time to discover the finer aspects of each other. Instead, he nodded. “If that is what you wish to do.” He could always love her all night long… He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “I am yours to command.”
She smiled so brightly it made his heart leap with pleasure. “Is that so?” She lifted a brow. “I’ll have to keep that in mind for later.” She turned toward her parents. “Is it all right if we both stay. I should have asked first.”
Her mother nodded. “You’re always welcome here.” She turned toward Matthew. “You do seem to love her. I hope in time she’s not disappointed in her choice.” She shook her head. “Sometimes the future is murky, but I believe you two will wade through it with little difficulty.” She turned toward the marquess. “I’m going to inform cook we have an addition to dinner tonight. Please don’t be rude while I am gone.”
“I’m never rude,” he replied, then added. “Without cause.”
The marchioness chuckled as she left the room but didn’t deign to reply. The marquess met Cesca’s gaze. “This is truly what you want? I don’t care if you’re carrying his child. If you want out of the marriage, we can make it go away.”
