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Charles and Arabella smiled at each other. He would never betray her—not so long as he drew breath. He would gladly spend the rest of his days, endeavoring to make her the happiest she could possibly be.
“After all,” the Duke went on. “You’re a dear member of society, you’ve saved my life, and found out who the murderer is. You’re a hero, and I think, perhaps, the fact that you don’t have a different title matters, not one bit.”
“No,” Charles agreed. “What truly matters can’t be bestowed through a title.”
“You’ll acquire one, anyway, once you marry my daughter and only heir. I can’t imagine a better successor as Duke of Tiverwell. I imagine you’ll be far more deserving of it than I.”
“I will endeavor to do my best,” Charles said, surprised at the Duke’s change of heart.
* * *
“Come, Charles,” Arabella said, standing up. “We should let Pappa take his rest.”
“It’s good to see you doing so well, Your Grace,” Charles said.
The Duke smiled, as he leaned back on his pillows. “All thanks to you, Mr. Conolly.”
They both walked out into the hall. Arabella pulled the door closed after them.
They stood, smiling at each other for a long moment. Arabella reached out, taking his hand in hers.
“Mamma’s already planning the engagement party,” she said. “She’s already written the announcement for the papers.”
He turned to face her, pulling her close. “Good,” he said.
“You’re not nervous?” she asked.
“Not at all,” he replied. “I’m marrying you. Nothing can go wrong.”
She laughed. “Plenty could go wrong,” she said, thinking of the million things that could happen. It could all be borne with grace, however. She was going to marry the man whom she loved.
He leaned in, kissing her, there in the hallway. His hands went, as they always did, to her waist. She pressed herself closer to him, feeling the solid warmth of his body against hers. When she pulled away, she stared into his eyes. There was so much more, but nothing that they could possibly do in the hallway outside of her father’s bedroom.
“Come,” she said, “Mamma will want to speak with you.”
“What about?” Charles asked.
“That lovely speech that you just gave Pappa?” she said. “You’re going to have to give it to Mamma. She’s extremely hurt about my father’s indiscretions.”
“I’ll gladly repeat it, then,” he said.
“Good,” she replied. Last night, telling her mother everything had been difficult. But it was important that she had the truth of it. Her mother had felt hurt. But with the truth, the Duchess could make her own decisions on how she wanted to proceed. Arabella knew that that was important.
