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And then he swooped down, capturing her lips in a kiss. The bustle around them seemed to still, and he was certain that when he lifted his head, he’d find everyone staring. “Especially that part.”
“I love you too,” she whispered against his lips. “More than I ever dreamed possible.”
Unable to resist being close to her, he pulled her toward his horse.
They spent the day and part of the night riding, and reached London in the early hours of the morning. The group stopped, looking down at the city as the dawn broke.
“We finally made it,” Lizzie said as she stepped out of the carriage, Clubs pulling her close. “What a journey that was.”
“Tell me about it,” Arabella said as she exited as well. “I never thought I’d be so glad to see London’s crowded streets.”
Bash swung down from his horse. “The Governor, whoever he is, got away and we have no idea how large this ring of thieves actually is.”
No one answered. There was nothing to say because Bash was correct. It was Arabella who finally broke the silence. “We’ve talked about it before, but I think it’s time to sell. For the right price, of course. But we’ll sell to someone who can handle the club and its nagging problems.”
A murmur of agreement went through the group and Ash relaxed a bit as he swung down, helping Lily from her place in front of him. He’d protect her for as long as she needed, but with their wedding on the horizon, he’d prefer to distance himself from the club and its problems. The club had always been about thumbing his nose at society and he no longer cared for such a practice.
“We have some happy news,” Lily volunteered as the silence stretched, the sun slowly lighting the sky.
All eyes turned to them as Ash pulled her closer. “We’re getting married.” Several people cheered as Ash held her in his arms. “Bash and Baxter will understand why Lily is going to stay with me.”
Bash stepped forward, coming to stand in front of Ash, his gaze narrowed. “I appreciate why you think that is appropriate, but it still isn’t. My answer is no.”
Ash drew up, still holding Lily close. “I don’t believe I asked.”
“Well, you should have,” Bash fired back, stepping closer.
It was Lily who interceded. “Bash. I think we can all agree I’m safest with Ash.”
Ash let out some of the air he’d been holding in his lungs. “I’ll obtain a special license. The marriage will happen as quickly as I can see it done.”
Bash gave a tentative nod. “As you will.”
He still didn’t look happy, but as he helped Lily back onto his horse, he smiled with satisfaction.
She was coming home with him. Exactly where she belonged.
Lily stared up at Ash’s townhome, a sudden lump clogging her throat. Agreeing to be his wife had been all well and good while they slept on the side of the road or in old barns, but this…the display of wealth before her stole her breath.
She’d experienced luxury in Bash’s home, of course. A space so big, she’d been able to live with her brother for nearly a month and hardly know him at all.
Was that what she’d agreed to make her entire life—a house to get lost in? A man she lived with but hardly knew?
Her breath rattled as Ash helped her down from the horse.
“You must be exhausted,” he murmured as he brushed his lips across her forehead.
“I am, but even more than I want sleep, I think I’d like a bath,” she sighed as he began pulling her from the carriage house to the back entrance of his home. “Days on the road have made me a dusty mess.”
“Good idea,” he said with a smile. The staff had yet to begin the day and so Ash stopped in the kitchen, stoking the fire in the large hearth and placing a large pot of water over the flames.
And somehow, him tending her here made her relax again. He was still the same man she’d met on the journey south. Big house or no.
He sat her on a stool and then carried a large metal tub out of the kitchen and up a set of stairs.
Returning, he wrapped a towel about his hand and grabbed the pot handle. “Follow me,” he rumbled with a wink.
She hopped off the stool and carefully followed up the two flights of stairs, then down a hall to an ornate door. Swinging it open, they stepped into a large room with giant oak panels, gleaming in the early morning sun. The room smelled of fresh polish and rich linens. She’d never actually identified that smell before, but she knew it was the scent of coverlets and curtains that hadn’t been worn by time and dust. She breathed it in. “I’m afraid to touch anything, it’s so clean.”
