“With Wolf and Tiffany for now, and you can help me purchase a London town home for us. Then we could take a few weeks and visit my estate in Suffolk.”
Her fingers stilled against his chest. “What estate?”
“I bought the Spencer’s estate in Suffolk, mainly to help the family who found themselves in financial difficulty.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, though her lips twitched with amusement coupled with surprise. “What are you doing with an estate if you are sailing away?”
He captured her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm, seemingly delighted in her sharp intake of breath. “Didn’t I say sometimes the adventure you had planned changes?” His voice dropped lower, intimate. “Do you remember my investment in Armley Mills? Well, someone approached me about starting a Merino wool breeding program. I can’t breed sheep without an estate. The land runs right down to the coast. It would mean settling on my estate in Suffolk, working to revolutionize the textile industry. It’s a chance to make a real difference to the economy of England, to build something lasting.”
She couldn’t hide the wonder from her face as her heart stuttered deep in her chest. Gosh, thatwasa change. He usedthe wordsettling. He must be serious. “I can’t wait to see it—with you.”
Still carrying her, cradling her precious weight against his chest, he opened the door. “Do you want to say goodbye to Courtney?”
They looked up the stairs and saw Courtney standing there, her face glowing with vicarious joy. “I gather it’s to be a wedding.”
“She said yes,” Rockwell replied, his voice rough with emotion and pride.
Farah squirmed in his arms. But she really didn’t want to escape. “You can put me down. You can’t carry me home, that would be scandalous.” Turning to Courtney, her eyes bright with unshed tears of happiness, she said, “Thank you for letting me invade your house. I won’t forget your kindness. If you need anything, please let me know.”
When Rockwell finally put her down, she walked over and hugged her friend, whispering in Courtney’s ear, “Is Lucien worth fighting for? That’s the question only you can answer.”
As they prepared to leave, Rockwell’s arm remained firmly around her waist, as if he feared she might still slip away. But Farah leaned into his touch, her heart too full of joy to care about propriety.
It was like a dream. Shortly she’d be Lady Farah Ware. As they walked back towards her family home, she said to her husband-to-be, “You do know I’ll have to tell Tiffany about your plans with Armley Mills. This could really increase the profit in our challenge if news of your venture got out. Don’t you dare tell anyone else. Wolf already knows who my brother and Fane are being challenged by, but they don’t. Please help us win.”
He slipped her arm through his. “I’ve known from the beginning that the sisterhood were the ones challenging the men. Wolf needed my help with stopping Sprat. He confessed allabout Tiffany’s skills and that her stockjobber, Sprat had stolen the money. But as for Fane and Blackstone, they both could do with being taken down a peg or too, so your secret is safe with me.” He paused, then squeezed her hand. “You’re safe with me. I’ll never do anything to hurt you.”
She merely nodded. He probably meant that, but when you love someone who doesn’t love you back, the opportunities for being hurt are endless.
“If you don’t wish to see me hurt, then I hope you know how to handle my brother. He may very well kill me when we arrive home.”
Rockwell laughed. “I suspect he’ll be so pleased to hear of the engagement that all else will be forgotten.”
Blackstone came bounding down the stairs at their entrance and what he saw made him slow down and smile. “I see you’ve come to your senses, Farah. Good girl.”
“I’m not a dog, brother dear,” she replied tartly.
“It’s me that has come to my senses. I suddenly realized I can’t see her marry anyone else,” Rockwell said.
Farah tried to ignore the brief stab of doubt at Rockwell’s words. What she really wanted him to say was he realized he loved her. One day—perhaps.
“Regardless, I’m pleased to see you together. I think you’ll have a wonderful life as man and wife.” Blackstone reached out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Lord Ware.”
Rockwell turned to Farah. “I’ll be on my way. I have a special license to organize and I think you’d like to summon the ladies to go over your wedding dress and things. Shall we marry the day after tomorrow? Will that give you enough time?”
Her head was spinning. In two days, she’d be Lady Ware. Gosh, that sounded so soon. Was she really doing this? But she hid her thoughts and smiled up at her fiancé. “When you get to Wolf’s, could you ask Tiffany, Ashley and Ivy to attend me?I’ll send notes to Lauren, Courtney, Claire, Serena, and Valora.” And before her brother could utter a sound, she rounded on him. “Yes, Lady Ashley too. She will be my sister-in-law, and I insist she be present.”
Blackstone held up his hands in defense. “I’m not saying anything.”
“Very wise, brother dear.” She turned and pressed a kiss to Rockwell’s lips. “Will you dine with us tonight?” she asked Rockwell. Her head swam with doubts, but her heart sang loudly. Thankfully, she had a lot to organize because she would leave her brother’s house after the wedding breakfast. She would only take what she needed for the immediate future and then collect the rest at her leisure.
“I’d like that,” he replied. “Until dinner then.”
“And bring the rest of the Ware family,” she called after him. She’d finally have sisters—Ashley and Ivy.
As she watched him leave, she couldn’t help feeling like this was all a dream.
*
