Her heart skipped. It’s only an endearment. It doesn’t mean anything more. She smiled. “Wonderfully content, my lord.”
He chuckled and kissed the top of her forehead before he moved off of her. But he didn’t leave her side. Instead, he propped up his head with a bent arm and looked at her in that heart stopping manner she adored. “Marry me.”
She stilled. “What?”
He rolled his eyes. “Are you that hard of hearing, Miss Meriwether?”
“No, I’m not. I just…” She got up and retrieved her dress, holding it up to her like a barrier. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
He frowned but got up as well and donned his trousers. Setting his hands on his hips, he said, “Surely you don’t believe that I’m such a worthless rake that I would use you in such a manner and then not do the honorable thing?”
She blinked, her mouth falling agape. “First of all, you didn’t use me. I willingly came to your bed. And I don’t want to be some sort of duty that you must perform.”
She turned her back on him and started dressing. She only made it as far as her stays and petticoat before he clapped his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. He still wasn’t wearing a shirt, and the sight of his naked chest gave her pause. “If you don’t agree, I’ll go to your father and ask his permission.”
Dove could feel the blood receding from her face. “No! You mustn’t!”
His expression was hard, unyielding. “Then, as I see it, you ought to start planning a wedding, Miss Meriwether.”
Although Cain wasn’t particularly thrilled about Dove’s reluctant acquiescence to his proposal, she ultimately agreed. Together, they left his rooms and walked downstairs.
Mrs. Decker looked somewhat harried as she attended to her customers, but the moment she glanced up and spied them, her expression faltered and she dropped everything to walk over. “Dove…” Her voice was little more than a whisper as she spied the younger woman. Dove’s cheeks instantly colored with either embarrassment or shame, perhaps a bit of both, as she met the innkeeper’s gaze. “Oh, my girl.”
And that’s when she looked at Cain and nearly skewered him with her accusing gaze, but before she could utter a word, he took Dove’s hand in his own and proclaimed, “I thought you would like to be the first to hear of our impending engagement.”
At first, Mable appeared at a loss for words, but then she clasped her hands together and embraced Dove, and then to his surprise, embraced him as well. “I offer my heartfelt congratulations. When can we expect the nuptials?”
He glanced at Dove and lifted a brow, but since she seemed somewhat unwilling to speak, he announced, “I believe a Christmas wedding would be ideal, but I would have to appeal to the archbishop for a special license.” He winked at her. “But I’m confident I can achieve success.”
This got Dove’s attention. Her blue eyes widened. “So soon?”
“Surely you don’t object, my dear,” he cajoled. “The sooner I can have you all to myself, the better.”
“Very well,” she returned coolly.
He didn’t like that reaction, but as they continued on their way, he allowed her the silence to compile her thoughts. However, when they walked outside and a light sheen of ice had already coated the countryside, he held her close to his side.
They made it to the cottage without incident, and when they entered, the vicar was just exiting the parlor, and he smiled in greeting.
Cain hesitated in the doorframe.
The vicar’s smile broadened. “My lord. It’s good of you to escort Dove home in such inclement weather. I hope this means that things are well?”
“Indeed, they are, sir.” He glanced at Dove and said proudly, “Your daughter has agreed to my hand in marriage. We plan to be wed on Christmas Day.”
The vicar took a moment to get past the shock, but once he did, he laughed richly. “Why, that is fantastic news! I wish you every blessing on your upcoming union.”
“We would be equally honored if you would perform the ceremony,” Cain added.
Again, her father seemed at a loss, and then his gaze turned a bit misty. “Of course. It will be my pleasure.” He reached out and took Dove’s hands in his. “The Lord has seen fit to bring a wonderful man like Lord Markel into your life, my dear. I hope you are grateful for this blessing.”
“Of course, Papa. I couldn’t be happier.”
Only Cain must have noticed the lack of happiness in her words, but he vowed that a smile would soon return to her face.
Chapter Twelve
Over the course of the next few days, once play practice was concluded, Cain made his way to the Meriwether house where he would spend the rest of the afternoon. Sometimes the vicar joined them, but for the most part, Cain was granted this time alone to court Dove.
