The marquess gave him a hard stare. “It is late. Anything that needs to be said can be said in the morning. Come, Gigi—we’re going back to Bottoms House.”
“I am going home with my husband,” Gigi blurted.
What did I do to deserve her?
Conrad’s chest hurt with the love he felt. Seeing her papa’s brows lower, however, he cut in.
“I have acted dishonorably,” he said. “I have kept secrets from Gigi when I should have trusted her. My thirst for vengeance has put her and others in danger, and I will never forgive myself for that. Never.”
“Conrad—” Gigi began.
“No, love. Let me say this.” He blundered on. “Despite the mistakes I’ve made, there is one thing I’ve done right. I fell in love with Gigi—the bravest, kindest, and most resourceful woman I’ve ever met. Somehow, I managed to win her heart and her hand, and while I deserve neither, I will do everything in my power to be a husband and a man who is worthy of her. For nothing is more important to me than my wife’s happiness. I will gladly spend a lifetime earning her forgiveness…and yours. Because you are her family, and she is mine.”
Someone gave a swoony sigh. Conrad didn’t know who because his gaze was now on his wife, who was smiling at him, her eyes luminous pools in the moonlight.
“Gigi, when I say I will do anything to make you happy, I mean it,” he said intently. “The reason it took me a few days to get here is because I was arranging a surprise for you: a plan to revitalize Chuddums. You were right. The village is worth investing in, and I will dedicate myself to ensuring its prosperity and future. In truth, I would be repaying a debt, for Chuddums has given me everything I’ve ever wanted. It gave me you.”
“Oh, darling!” Gigi clasped her hands together. “That is the best surprise ever!”
“Just when I was beginning to find you tolerable, Godwin.” Ethan’s look was wry. “How is any husband going to top the gift of a bloody village?”
Conrad took the male ribbing as a sign of progress.
“I also purchased Honeystone Hall,” he told his wife. “Consider it a wedding gift.”
At Gigi’s squeal of delight, both Ethan and Owen snorted.
Then James came forward, and Conrad braced. If the earl wanted to plant a facer on him, he would take it. He deserved it for endangering the fellow’s wife…and Gigi. Hell, he had half a mind to plant a facer on himself.
As James regarded him, Conrad hunched his shoulders.
“You have my thanks,” James said.
Conrad stared at the hand being offered to him.
“I don’t understand. Your wife was kidnapped because of me?—”
“Your lunatic relation abducted Evie. And you were willing to exchange your life for hers. For that, you have my everlasting gratitude.”
Hearing the taut emotion in the earl’s voice, Conrad understood. Maybe he had something in common with Gigi’s kin after all. He shook the other man’s hand.
“And I owe you,” he said quietly. “For doing what needed to be done.”
Although James had made the only choice he could to save his wife, Conrad suspected that killing someone—even a scheming, cold-blooded murderess—would not sit well with his honorable soul.
James’s nod was gruff.
The marquess put a hand on his heir’s shoulder. “I think we’ve all had enough,” he said firmly. “What we need now is a good night’s sleep. Let us return to Bottoms House. And Gigi…”
“Yes, Papa?” she asked with a hint of worry.
“We shall expect you and your husband in the morning.”
Even though the statement was not directed at him, Conrad felt a burst of hope. This was the first time the marquess had acknowledged his relationship to Gigi. Her happy nod confirmed his optimism.
“We’ll be there, Papa,” she promised.
They were heading to the carriages when they encountered Rawlins, emerging from the mill.
