“We’ll see it done in three weeks,” Ansley declared.
Loren’s gaze landed on me.
“Excellent,” he murmured.
“What are you talking about?”I asked.
“Our wedding,” Loren stated instantly.“Which will happen inthree weeks.And I’d like to make a single request.”Pause while I held mybreath, and then, “No hat.”
Sothiswas what was next.
Shit.
Chapter Nine
Agreement
Loren
As suspected, she didn’t make him wait.
She popped off the settee and minced her way to him, thatbeautiful arse swaying, her lion’s eyes firing.
“May I have a word with you, your grace?”she demanded inthe form of a request.
“You may call me Loren,Satrine,as you’ll be my wife in mere weeks,” he replied.
She stopped at his side, ignored what he said, and invited.“Father’s study?”
She didn’t wait for his answer, she continued into the hall.
Loren gave himself the pleasure of watching her arse movingfor long moments before he cast his eyes through the room, catching Maitlandsmirking and his father beaming.
Then, he followed her.
She stood with her hand on the door and swung it closed whenhe cleared it.
He turned and opened his mouth.
She lifted a still-gloved hand, palm out his way.
“I get to go first this time.”
He crossed his arms on his chest and murmured, “By allmeans.”
She drew in a big breath that made her glorious chest rise.
She let it out saying softly, “I’m sure I don’t have toexplain to you how indebted I am for your assistance.Mother and Maxie are freeand safe and we’re all together again.And I honestly don’t have the words toexpress what an honor it is that you would even consider continuing to care forme, and my family, by making that sacrifice.But allow me to assure you, Motherand I have been going it alone for some time.We’re used to it.She hasMaxie…er…back, and as long as we’re together, we’ll be fine.”
“Even an enemy of the king does not lose hold on hispossessions once he’s convicted of breaking the laws of the land,” Lorenreplied.
“I’m…sorry?”she asked.
“He will be tried.He will be convicted.He will serve aterm in prison.And he will be fined, likely heftily.However, he won’t be inprison for the rest of his life and will come out in possession of everythinghe had when he went in, save the fine that is to be paid.And while he’sincarcerated, he has rights over those possessions.”
“All right,” she said quietly.
“That is, should he wish to turn his wife and daughters awaywith nothing, he could do that.”
