Tears welled again in both their eyes. “Of course, he knew abouther. He was over the moon.”
Adam dropped back into his chair. “Then what?”
She drew another breath. “He thought I had permission for the marriage. When we stood before the priest. We met when I was staying with my cousin near Portsmouth. I did not tell him I was underage when we married before he sailed.” She shrugged, wishing she could forgive her much younger self for her blithe optimism. “When my parents found out they disowned me.”
He blinked a couple of times. “That’s it? You had a license and a priest and everything?”
“Banns read. But in Portsmouth where my father wouldn’t find out. I...forged his signature.”
“But there is a license? It is recorded in a church?”
“It doesn’t matter. My father was happy to tell me he would be delighted to announce my crime if I dared try to tout my supposed marriage. They took the license. It is undoubtedly ash long since.”
For the longest moment Adam just watched her, his eyes dark, thoughtful. And then, amazingly enough, he smiled.
Then he laughed. Georgie stared at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“Not only are you married,” he told her, taking hold of her hand. “But Lully is as much a duchess as I am a duke.”
Georgie tried to pull her hand away. He wouldn’t budge.
“Impossible...”
“No.” He actually lifted her hand and kissed it. “All you need is permission. We can easily obtain that.” His grin grew piratical. “And even if the permission is after Lully is born, it changes nothing about her title.”
“Of course, it does.”
He shook his head, laughing outright. “Not with a Scottish title. Believe it or not, the title is valid if the child is born out of wedlock, as long as the parents normalize relationships. Your Lully is a duchess, whether your father wishes it or not.”
It was Georgie’s turn to leap to her feet. She backed away, as if space would impose reason. “He will never allow it. Think of the scandal.”
“Don’t be silly. The scandal will be if a certain duke spreads the tale that because your father was so hateful, his granddaughter was not only forbidden her rightful title, but labeled a bastard when any loving and supportive parent would have blessed a wedding between his child and a lost war hero.”
She gaped at the mad look in his eye. “You would never.”
“Of course not. But your father doesn’t know that. The only thing he knows about me was that I came looking for you in order to secure Lully’s title. Imagine his reaction to my threat that I would happily divulge the truth if he fails to assure all and sundry that your wedding to the man who should have become the Duke of Kintyre went forward with his blessing and approval. Especially with your brother as witness.”
She stepped forward. “No. No, Jack has enough problems.”
Adam regained his feet with a wince. “I hope we settle this situation soon. I don’t think my knee can take another round.” Balanced on his cane, he reached out once again for her hand. “Jack will never forgive you if you do not allow him to stand by your side. He will truly never forgive you if he cannot give you away when you wed your duke.” He grinned. “Yournextduke.”
She faltered, tried to gage the expression in his eyes. Tested her own heart to realize that she was terrified he wasn’t being serious. She wanted this. Oh, Jamie, she wanted this.
“You don’t have to go to those lengths, Adam.”
His smile grew and softened. “Oh, but I do, Georgie. Please don’t make me face this dukedom all on my own. I need someone who understands how to be flexible and bold, brave, and loyal.” Now, he was grinning outright. “Of course, it would also help if she set my blood to fire with her kisses.”
Georgie blushed, her own blood heating quite effectively. “She does?”
He briefly rested his forehead against hers. “Most assuredly. I have a confession to make. I began to fall in love with you through Jamie’s letters. I tumbled the rest of the way when I watched you thoroughly rout the kidnappers with the help of people you have inspired into loyalty and respect. They would all die for you. Our attraction is only the icing on the cake. You would make an exemplary duchess. I only hope you could find your way to beingmyduchess.”
Those pesky tears rose again. This time, though, they were cleansing, joyful, verdant. Spring had come to her soul, and the sun rose. “I believe I could,” she admitted.
He dropped his cane and caught her other hand. “And you could settle for an old soldier who comes to you a bit worse for wear?”
“With all my heart.”
He pulled her close, nestling her against his heart where she had so longed to be. “Do you think Jamie would have approved?”
