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“Are you ready to proceed?” Patrick asked.
He smiled in the corner of his mouth. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Let us be off.”
“A quick word,” the duke said, putting out his hand. “Would you mind stepping aside?”
Patrick turned to where Sarah was standing, expectation in her eyes. He smiled warmly to her and then complied with the duke’s request. “What do you need to say?” Patrick asked.
“We still have our gentlemen’s agreement in place; I hope you recall.”
“Indeed.”
“And that means that if Lord John does not give his consent after meeting the Duke of Glastonbury, then the marriage will not proceed. I have a mind to ask her for her hand just as soon as your accusation is denied.”
“It won’t be denied. I’m confident that I’m the duke’s son, but if I need to prove it to proceed, then so be it.”
The two men glared at one another. It was the very proposal that Patrick had been expecting. This would be the most important wager of them all, for if Patrick’s instincts proved wrong, he’d lose the love of his life.
The two men shook hands, and then the duke motioned for the party to depart. Lord John Crawford shared a carriage with his daughters, while the duke had his own carriage with a few fellow guests. Just as they were about to leave, Sarah called out for them to halt.
“I wish to ride along with Patrick,” Sarah said, causing the entire party to whisper.
Patrick heaved a sigh. It was so like Sarah to make such a bold move just at the last minute. There was a suspended moment where Sarah tried to convince Lord John, who finally complied. A stableboy brought out another horse, side-saddled, and Sarah hopped on.
As the carriages and the horses sped away, Patrick said, “You have quite the spirit, Sarah Crawford.”
“I couldn’t stand to be in that stuffy carriage with my father.”
“I’m glad to have the company.” Patrick gazed at her through a sideways glance.
He also wished to say that he missed having her company the night before in his bed.
“This is rather enjoyable,” Sarah said with a smile. “Discovering your true identity.”
“The man that loves you—that’s my true identity.”
