She found a smile at that. “Perhaps that’s a little dramatic—”
“It’s not,” he said, matching her smile, “because I love you, Miss Evangeline Spencer, to the depths of my soul.”
“Really?” She could do nothing to halt the tears now.
“Really. I love your determination. I love your fiery nature, but most of all I just love you.”
“I have to be honest and warn you that my managing ways may annoy you, Anthony.”
“Possibly, but I will never stop loving you, Evie.”
“I love you so much too, Anthony.”
His smile grew, and then she was in his arms exactly where she wanted to be.
“Be my wife, sweetheart.”
“Yes, but I’m not letting you win at archery just because it bruises your ego when I do.”
He snorted into her hair. “God, woman, I love you. And now we need to return to your family and allay their fears.”
“Which I could have done with Mr. Greggor’s lovely voice accompanying me, but now I must do so on your uncomfortable horse, clasped in your arms.”
“Exactly.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Anthony had wantedto make a run for Gretna Green and marry Evie immediately. Her family and his, however, had other ideas.
Things apparently needed to be done properly, his Aunt Petunia had said when he’d returned to the house party to find all their families there, worrying together.
The issue of when they would wed was discussed loudly, and eventually after he’d said he was not waiting more than two months, he’d got his way.
Evie had been too tired and hungry to argue with anyone on the matter and spent her time during the discussion eating and yawning after she’d bathed and changed.
Two months to the day later, he was now standing awaiting his beloved’s arrival in the church his aunts had chosen. St. Georges Church in Hanover Square.
Looking down the aisle as the guests all took their seats, he thought he would have married her anywhere. She’d changed him. He was no longer cold and empty because she’d filled all the places inside him with her love.
Life would not be easy with Evangeline Spencer, as he’d once thought it would be when he took a wife, because she challenged him. Both were strong-willed, and he saw many arguments in their future, which he was looking forward to.
“I’m sure a groom is meant to be pale and nervous. You, however, appear the exact opposite,” Toby said from beside him.
“Exactly. Look a little pathetic at least,” Jamie added.
Anthony turned down the sides of his mouth and lowered his eyes.
“Much better,” Jamie said.
“She is the perfect woman for you, my friend,” Toby said. “Had you not married her, I may have.”
“And yet, like me, you have no wish to marry,” Jamie added.
“There is that.”
“Besides, I would have killed you had you tried,” Anthony said. “And as we are friends, I would rather not do that.”
“Fair point,” Toby said. Then a breath hissed out of his mouth.
