He squeezed her leg. “And how is that, Liss?”
“Well, tonight was rather convenient.”
“You mean making love?” He chuckled. “It’s muchmorethan convenient. It’s a necessity.”
Alyssia laughed softly. “A necessity? That sounds terribly self-serving of you.” Though, could she really argue?
He hummed behind her. “Oh, I assure you, I’m thinking of us both. Convenience may have started this marriage, but I intend to build something inconveniently permanent out of it.”
She tilted her head enough to glimpse his face. “Sounds ever so convenient.”
He kissed her mouth. “Yes, so you’re not allowed to rescind.”
“Oh, I’m not the sort of woman whorescinds.”
“Liss: changed but also very much the same.”
“That’s what happens when you age.”
He chuckled. “Well, if this is aging, I welcome it.”
“Don’t be in such a hurry to welcome it, please. Let age take its time.” She dropped her head back. “What are you going to do about your uncle?”
He tightened his arm around her, his breath stirring the damp tendrils at her neck. “First thing tomorrow morning I’ll settle the matter.”
“House of Lords?”
He nodded. “I wanted to fish out his cutthroats before that, but it serves no one to draw it out further.”
“You’re doing it for me, aren’t you?” She hated but loved it at the same time. It seemed so foolish how she’d clung to her resistance before, but honestly, a part of her had known she didn’t stand a chance against this man’s charms, and no matter how much time they had together from here on out, every moment was worth any risk.Imagined risk.Right.Imagined. She’d rather focus on what was real from now onward.
“I’m doing it for us,” he said solemnly before nipping at her shoulder.
“Will there still be danger?” she asked. “Not that I mind. I’m merely wondering if we will remain here for the foreseeable future.”
“We can go wherever you want,” Giles said. “We could rent for the time being before purchasing another house.”
“What about your family home?”
That silver tongue did not hesitate. “Where you are, there is my home.”
“Be serious, Giles. It’s your family home.”
He sighed. “And it’s been sullied. It might take a while to remove the stench.”
Ah. Well, she could understand that. They could take their time renovating the home to their taste. There was no rush. “In that case, no matter where we are, I don’t care.”
“Yes, we should scandalize each inch of this house before we leave.”
Alyssia laughed. “And what a fine blackguard you turned out to be.”
“The finest.” He hugged her tight. “Now, no matter what, annulment is impossible.”
Oh? “Wasn’t it impossible before?”
“Yes, but now it’s impossible in the truest way.”
Lawd. Had it bothered him that much? “Just forget the word.”
