The marquess tapped his thumbs togetherand studied him carefully. “Do you love her?”
“Yes.”
“I see.” Lord Ashfield frowned. “You’ve put me in a rather…difficult position. While I appreciate the services you’ve rendered regarding Isabella, keeping her safe from harm when that miscreant Wistenberry would have made sure she was lost to me for good, I find myself torn between duty and honor.”
Ridge withdrewa packetfrom his jacket and tossed it ontothe marquess’ desk. “Perhaps that will help.” The other manlooked inside and thenglanced at Ridge in surprise. Before he had a chance to speak, Ridge explained. “That’s Isabella’s dowry, down to the lastpound.”
“You’re attempting to…buyher from me?” her father asked incredulously.
“No. Merely to let you know that I don’t have need of your money. I will take care of Isabella on my own.”
“I see.” The marquess seemed placated by this. “And do you have gainful employment?”
Ridge couldn’t help but shiftin his seatwith the slightest bit of discomfort. “Not at the moment since Iintend toresign my position from the Crown, but rest assured I will work hard and your daughter will want for nothing.”
Again, the marquess studied him. “You seem rather determined to gain my acceptance of this union.”
Ridge chose his words with caution. “I don’t require it, my lord, but I would like to ensure Isabella is not at odds with her family.”
“That’s commendable of you,Mr. Claymoore, as isyour tenacity to marry Isabella.”He rose to his feet, prompting Ridge to do the same.
Whenthe marquess held out his hand, Ridge accepted,finding that hewas able todrawhis first full breath.
“You have come here seeking my blessing and you have it, Mr. Claymoore. However, I fear Isabella’s mother will be a bit harder to convince.”
“Thank you, Lord Ashfield. You won’t regret it, that I vow on my life.”
He handed the money back to Ridge. “Consider this a wedding gift. And, if you are interested, I might have a business venture for you. I recently lost my foreman,and I’min need of someone to runmy shipbuildingcompanyin London.” He smiled. “Are you any good with numbers, Mr. Claymoore?”
***
Isabella was relieved when Ridge relayed everything her fatherhadsaid on the way back to Londonthe following day. While her mother hadn’t been quite as easy towin overas her father had been,Isabella had faith thatshe would eventually relent in time.
Her expression had already softened when their small, intimate wedding ceremony had taken place thatmorningat the Ashfield chapel by the local vicar. He kept muttering that it was quite untoward to exchange vowswith such short notice, but he’d signed his name on the document and went about his way.
Now, as Isabella snuggled next to her husband and stared at the blank area on her left hand,having discarded Simon’s the moment she realized their marriage had been a sham, andkept imagining the sort of ring she might procure once they returned to the city. “I think I shall choose a simple gold band.”
Ridge had frowned down at her. “I’m not sure that I entirely agree. I may want an expensive ruby or emerald to adorn your hand.”
Shesat up and kissed him. “I love you, Ridge Claymoore, and no amount of jewels will change how I feel about you.”
He brushed a stray, copper curl away from her face. “And I love you, Lady Isabella Claymoore. I think you had my heart from the moment I saw you standing at the edge of the bastion at Walmer.”
Her lips curved upward. “And Iknewthe instant I found out you were scared of heights.”
“Notscared,” he corrected. “Merely not fondof them.” He grinned and pulled her closer. “I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Hopper would like a new position. Perhaps a butler and cook?”
Isabella gasped. “I think that’s agrandidea!”She paused and couldn’t help but ask,hoping it didn’t mar their lovely day.“Did Millicent tell you what became of Kitty?”
Ridge’s expression turned stoic. “You know Millicentwas set on making her leaveafter her betrayalwith Simon, butI spoke with her andshe managed to catchKittybefore she left.My…motherhelped to find her a position as a tavern maid.” His expression softened. “But I don’t want to talk about her any longer. I want to focus on us. We’ll have to find a proper place to live, but until then, your father granted us the use of his townhouse.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “Wherever it is will be perfectas long as we’re together.”
Ridge’s eyes roamed over her face, and her breath caught at the adoration she saw there. “I couldn’t agree more.”
And then he kissed her with a promise of more good things to come.
