But Jeremy was shaking his head. “Not this year. I’ve been?—”
“He was your brother. You did what you needed to do.” The duke’s eyes spoke volumes. “I’d have done the same… if the situations had been reversed.”
That elephant that had been sitting on Jeremy’s chest shifted, giving him some relief. Because Blackheart would not speak platitudes to him.
“How is Lucas?” Jeremy asked. Lucas had been Arthur’s commander. It was his men who had been killed because of Arthur’s treachery.
If anyone had a right to be angry, it was Lucas.
“Lucas… is letting go. With Naomi at his side, and baby Amelia, he simply wants to put it behind them. They are in Kent now but would welcome a visit, I’m sure.”
Jeremy would make amends then. But for now…
He cleared his throat. “There is another discussion I need to have with you.”
Upon these words, the corner of Blackheart’s mouth tilted up ever so slightly. “A discussion about my sister.”
“Yes.” Lydia. The promise he’d nearly lost. “I’ve asked her to marry me, and she has agreed.”
“Of course, she has.”
“I want you to know that I love her. And I’ll spend what remains of my life doing all that I can to make her happy.”
Blackheart gave him a searching look before exhaling in what sounded like relief. “I am glad. Truly. I’m happy for both of you.”
Jeremy nodded, feeling more than a little relieved himself. But then he chuckled. “I still can’t imagine what you were thinking, allowing her to be in London on her own… starting up orphanages, running about the docks.” He smiled ruefully. “Although I suppose I ought to thank you.”
Blackheart lifted one brow. “Do you really think I did not know what my sister was up to?”
“You knew?”
Blackheart stilled. “You needed her. And she was quietly dying inside after you broke things off. One word in Baxter’s ear was all it took.”
“Ah.” Of course, Blackheart had known. And Baxter as well. Jeremy shook his head. “Well.” He could not be angry, even though he thought he ought to be. But having Lydia’s promise to marry him and having thoroughly kissed her less than a quarter of an hour ago, he could only grin. “It worked. Although now I’ve got an orphanage to get up and running.”
“Indeed. And speaking of my sister…” Blackheart’s brows rose.
“She’ll be down momentarily. I wanted to speak with you first. I take it we have your blessing then?”
His friend shifted, sending him a suspicious glance. “Tell me that a special license is not necessary.”
“No,” Jeremy said. Although… just barely.
“Then you have my blessing.”
“We’ll want to have the banns read starting this Sunday. I’ve already waited too long…” And he meant it. He’d waited his entire life for Lydia. “But I won’t take her dowry.”
At this, Blackheart laughed. “Good thing, as she’s spent most of it on that damn warehouse.”
Jeremy shook his head.
“But I’ve a portion we’ll put into trust. We’ll discuss contracts later,” Blackheart added, just as the door crept open slowly.
Having bathed, Lydia had changed into an old gown of his mother’s—and she still managed to steal his breath with her beauty.
Lydia peered inside, her eyes flicking between the two of them questioningly. “All is well?”
She met Jeremy’s gaze, and he smiled reassuringly. “I believe so. Simon?”
