He got up and moved toward her. She told herself she didn’t need the comfort that his arms surrounding her provided, nor the warmth that his strong chest created, but together they were the safe haven she was starting to rely on. He gave her the strength she didn’t know she had needed before now. “It will be over soon,” he whispered into her upswept hair.
She leaned back and wiped at her eyes. “I don’t know when I started to turn into a despicable watering pot, but here we are.”
He grasped her chin lightly. “I love you no matter what you are.”
Lexie gasped. There it was. The three words she’d been waiting so desperately to hear and he spoke them as if he’d said them a hundred times before. She wondered if he realized he’d even done so, but she could see the truth shining in his gaze.
“I—”
“Your Grace. There is—er… forgive the intrusion.” The butler cleared his throat as Lexie was released.
The duke took a respectable step back and addressed the servant with a mixture of tolerance and patience. “What is it?”
“Your solicitor, Your Grace. He said you were expecting him.”
“And indeed, I was. Send him in if you please.” He glanced down at Lexie as the servant departed. “Forgive me.”
She waved a hand. “I’m better now. All is well.” She wanted to reassure him although her heart was still anxious about the encounter to come.
He hesitated but gave a reluctant sigh. “I’ll collect you when it’s time to depart.”
CHAPTER 22
The timing was regrettable, but for what Dominic needed to discuss with his solicitor was far from it. He had to ensure that if something were to happen to him, Lexie would not suffer any ill effects from associating with a known criminal in the London underworld. He couldn’t do much until after they were wed, but he could alter his wishes where she would have continual protection so long as the funds in his will might allow it.
At least he wouldn’t have to worry about any more banns being read. He had managed to procure a special license just that morning which would give him leave to marry Lexie any time they so chose. He would have her as his wife today if she might allow it, but with the turmoil of retrieving the copy of the journal from her aunt’s townhouse, he knew she was apprehensive.
He hoped that the copy was still where he’d carefully tucked it out of sight the night he’d met her father at dinner, and that it would shed some light on why Lexie’s aunt and the false Lord Lindley were so closely entwined. He was eager to make his way there now, the time moving much too slowly for his tastes,whereas the night before, he couldn’t have captured enough hours to hold Lexie in his arms.
He slid a hand down his face and thought of when he’d said he’d loved her. Just as their engagement hadn’t been full of flowery prose, neither had his grand declaration. It had slipped out before he’d had a chance to think better of the poor timing. The look of shock on her face hadn’t been completely unexpected and he was confident she was about to return the sentiment before they were interrupted.
He intended to do it all over again, just as he’d gotten down on one knee in front of her in this very room and amended his proposal, he would ensure that his love was showered upon her with jewels or roses. Not thrust upon her or shouted in the throes of passion as some men of his acquaintance mentioned they were wont to do. Dominic had never thought such declarations seemed sincere when clutched in such lustful abandon. He had certainly never claimed such a strong emotion when he’d lain with any other woman. However, he had considered it when he’d looked into Lexie’s enchanting blue eyes and saw her light hair spread across the pillow beneath him. He had wanted to say so many things in that moment, but all that he could think of was how beautiful she had appeared. And that is what he’d said. At least the words had rung true.
“Your Grace.”
Dominic turned at the sound of the solicitor’s voice. He was an older man, having handled the Cuthbert estate for a number of years, even before the death of Dominic’s father.
He inclined his head. “Mr. Michaels. It’s good of you to come on such short notice.”
“You mentioned in your missive that it was of the utmost importance.” The other man bowed respectfully in turn. “And I dare not ignore such a summons from Your Grace.”
Dominic smiled tightly. This was one of the reasons he hadchosen to create the persona of Avalon. He wanted to be respected for more than just a title, and although it had taken some time and effort, he had managed to do so. His men respected him, of that he had no doubt. And he was also confident that Amos would be the best leader to ensure the same ethics that Dominic had tried to build were put into place. The Blue Boys were forced to have a strict reputation in which to gain order, and Amos was fearsome for the appearance of his eyepatch alone. Many people speculated on where he’d received the injury and although Dominic was aware of the fight that had taken one-half of his sight, Amos did not let the affliction deter him in any way. He was still the best man for the position.
He sat down at his desk and waved a hand for the solicitor to take a seat before him. “Shall we get started?”
It didn’t take as long as Dominic had thought to take care of the few issues that had been a concern. He was fortunate for that since it was nearly time to intrude on Lady Devonly’s house.
He made his way to his chamber and was temporarily distracted by the neatly made bed that had not been nearly so smoothly put together a few hours before. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to think of Lexie and how much she had changed him in such a short amount of time. He’d wanted to relinquish his identity as Avalon, but he hadn’t yet released his heart. That was all due to her tenacity and wit.
When he went to her room to collect her, he was relieved to see the same, spirited woman he had first met. The uncertainty she’d worn that morning had concerned him greatly, but it appeared she had rallied and was, yet again, ready to take on the whole of London. She was wearing a deep plum gown with cream lace adornment about the bodice and hem. She looked entirely too delectable to let out of the house. He considered just escorting her back to his chamber, but he knew they would never rest soundly until this intrigue had concluded.
“Shall we?” He held out his arm to her and she cocked a brow at him.
“How gallant, Your Grace. I should be delighted.”
As they headed down the stairs, she slipped on her cloak while he donned his greatcoat. A glance outside earlier had not shown rain, but the heavy autumn clouds did not look very promising.
As they entered his coach, they headed across Mayfair to her aunt’s house. He noted that she continued to seem calm, but he wanted to ensure all was well, so he noted, “It won’t be long now.”
