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She left us alone in the office and Bones took a seat on the dark leather Chesterfield.
“Where’d she go?” Bones asked.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
My mother returned to the office a few minutes later. “I wanted to give you this before you left.” She handed Bones a black velvet jewelry box. “I stopped off at the bank before I came back home.”
Bones opened the box to reveal my grandmother’s sapphire and diamond ring that I’d wanted as my engagement ring since I was sixteen years old.
Without a word, Bones plucked it from its velvet bed, picked up my hand and slid it onto my finger. He stared at me while he did it, a silent conversation passing between us.
My mother swiped the corner of her eye. “It’s perfect.” She hugged Bones and then embraced me. “Have fun tonight,” she whispered. “Don’t think about anything else except celebrating your marriage.”
Stanton held the front door open while he glared at Bones.
“Be nice,” I whispered to the aging butler. “He’s my husband now.”
Stanton harrumphed.
“Next time we come over, I promise he’ll bring you a bottle of your favorite Courvoisier. All right?”
He harrumphed again.
I hugged the butler who’d been a part of my family for as long as I could remember. He’d been informed of the circumstances surrounding our sudden marriage but would remain protective of me and my mother no matter what. “Please take care of my mother. I’m sure she’s waiting for the sun to go down before she starts in on the martinis.”
“It’s been a hard day,” Stanton said. “For both of you. I’ll keep an eye on her as best I’m able.”
I nodded.
Bones placed his hand at my waist and guided me toward the waiting town car. I climbed in first and he followed.
I leaned my head against his shoulder and quickly fell asleep.
“Duchess,” Bones rasped, his hand gently squeezing my thigh.
“Hmm?”
“We’re home.”
I reluctantly opened my eyes and lifted my head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
He looked at me. “We don’t have to go out tonight. We can order in.”
I shook my head. “No. We have to celebrate. There’s plenty of nights to stay in.”
His gaze heated. “I’m starting to think going out is the worst idea in the world and I’m an idiot for even suggesting it.”
I laughed. “Come on. Let’s go have a beautiful meal. I promise you can ravish me later.”
Chapter 48
“How’s your dinner?” Bones asked as he looked at me across the table.
“It’s good,” I replied.
He arched a brow. “It’s good. Don’t let the chef hear that.”
I smiled and reached across the table to caress his cheek. His scruff was rough underneath my fingers and a shiver worked its way down my spine. He looked glorious in candlelight, carved in shadows, his normally bright eyes dark and mysterious.
