Black glowered at him. "Dropped 'er off at 'ome, o' course. Don't think I'd bring a fine lady as that to a place like this?"
"No, of course not," Kent said in a tight voice. "Obliged, sir."
With a stiff nod, the investigator loped off to assist with the fire.
Nicholas stepped forward and bowed. "Thank you, Mr. Black. I am in your debt."
The man looked him up and down. A grin broke across his face. "A marquess, bowing to me. Ain't that priceless." Chuckling, he peered down at Gavin, who remained sitting on the ground. "What about you, Hunt? Ain't you going to make a leg for me, too?"
"It'd be half a leg and a bloody one at that," Gavin said.
Black laughed until he wiped at his eyes. "I've 'eard about you, Hunt. Liked most o' what I 'eard, too. Don't suppose you'd be browsin' the marriage mart?"
"Oh no, sir," Percy blurted. As all eyes turned to her, her cheeks warmed. "That is, Mr. Hunt is otherwise engaged. Um, to me."
"That so, Hunt?" Black's brows nearly reached his wig.
"Not quite," Gavin said. Percy's breath stopped, found a hitched rhythm when he continued in a grave voice, "Miss Fines, would you have a seat next to me, please?"
Mesmerized by the burnished intensity in his eyes, she did as he asked.
He took her hand in his own. "I said once I wouldn't go down on bended knee. But I want you to know I would for you, if it wasn't for this leg." Though ruddy color spread over his cheekbones, he shot a defiant look at their audience and added, "And I don't give a damn who knows it."
She nodded, joy welling in her eyes.
"I want to do this right this time. I don't have a poet's tongue or fancy words to declare myself," he said, "and there's still no violins. All I can do is beg your forgiveness for my mistakes. For not trusting you when I should have. For being so bloody stupid and letting you go."
"I understand, Gavin," she said. "Truly, I do."
"I don't deserve you, Percy." When she tried to protest, he cupped her cheek, pressing his thumb against her lips. "You're too good for me, love, there's no denying it. You're brave and loyal, so damnably sweet—you light all the dark corners of my soul." Emotion glittered in his eyes. "In return, you'd be taking on a scoundrel, scarred inside and out, who didn't even know he had a heart until he met you."
"You have a heart, Gavin. You always have," she sniffled.
"It beats only for you. And I swear that if you will have me, Percy, I will never give you cause to regret that decision. I will love and protect you until the day I die," he said fiercely.
Her tears overflowed.
Gripping her hand, he said, "Will you marry me, Persephone Fines? Will you accept me as I am now? Knowing that I will strive to be a better man, to one day be the husband you deserve?"
"Oh, Gavin," she whispered, "I love you exactly as you are."
"Then... you'll have me?"
She adored the note of wonder in his tone. "Yes," she said, smiling through her tears, "a thousand times,yes."
He gathered her in his arms, and the kiss they shared shot fireworks across the sky. An orchestra played, the world rocked on its axis... though perhaps that last part was due to Mr. Black's impatient thumping of his walking stick against the ground.
"Chit's got pluck, I'll give 'er that." With a grunt, Black warned, "You'll 'ave your 'ands full, Hunt."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Gavin said, giving her a squeeze.
"Well, my Mavis might need a bit o' female companionship when she returns. Ain't much genteel company in the stews. Maybe you'll 'ave 'er for tea one o' these days?"
Percy sensed it wasn't a question. She was filled with too much gratitude to care. "Of course, Mr. Black," she said sincerely. "I should love to meet your daughter."
He nodded. "I'll go see about Magnus."
Gavin stilled. "You have him?"
