Brilliance appeared thoughtful, then her eyes filled with tears.
“You gave up your music ... for me?”
Brilliance was touchedby his devotion and his desire to protect her. But in that instant, she knew she would do whatever she could to help him if only there was a way.
Vincent shook his head. “The music willalwaysbe mine.”
“You know what I mean. The world should know that those notes came out of your brain.” She reached out and tapped his head. “It is hard to believe we are engaged. I imagined, given my own limited intellect, that I would end up with a kind, but somewhat doltish, husband. Instead, it seems I am to have a smart one with a memory like a hunter’s trap and a brilliant musician on top of that.”
“Don’t forget handsome,” Vincent said, pushing his spectacles up his nose.
“I could never forget handsome,” she agreed, leaning forward, letting his spicy cologne tickle her nostrils.
“Your maid,” he reminded her.
“Is very discreet,” she said.
“More than her mistress apparently,” he quipped before soundly kissing her again until her toes curled, and low in her body that mysterious throbbing began.
When he drew back, Vincent appeared serious. “Your intellect is not limited,” he said. “You operate more on your instincts, but there is nothing doltish about you. I adore the way you speak the truth regardless of the consequences. Such as telling Lady Georgiana she sang like a tomcat screeching during a fight.”
She laughed, then shook her head. “I vow I never said that.”
“Perhaps not, but we were all thinking it, and only you spoke the appalling truth. Or the way you stood up in the theater and denounced Ambrose. No one but you would think it acceptable, yet alone actually do such a thing. I will have the smartest, fiercest, most brilliant wife in London.”
Brilliance liked that description very much. “Even if I am absolutely rubbish at riddles?”
“Even so,” he said.
“Should we go speak with my father?”
Vincent’s expression appeared sheepish. “I already did, last night before the ball.”
She felt her mouth open and snapped it shut. “How forward-thinking of you. I am assuming he gave you his permission.”
“He did, in fact.”
“I knew he would,” Brilliance said. “Still, you may wish to have a private chat with my mother at your earliest convenience.”
“I understand. If your mother is anything like mine, then she would appreciate knowing before anyone else in the family.”
“Oh dear!” Brilliance thought about having spoken with her sister and sister-in-law earlier that day. “Then I had better go quickly home and tell her.”
As she said her goodbyes to Vincent on his doorstep, a carriage drew up behind her father’s.
“Here she is, your defender in petticoats,” said Ambrose Castern, a moment after he alighted from a cab.
Chapter Thirty-One
His tone was light, but Mr. Castern’s expression was snide.
“We are betrothed,” Brilliance informed him, thinking he should definitely not be speaking of what was under her dress. She hoped their being engaged would improve his manners.
Mr. Castern’s glance darted between the two of them.
“Then congratulations are in order. Although I cannot help wondering why, with your impending happy nuptials, you both feel the need to continue this unconscionable harassment of me.”
“What nonsense are you uttering?” Vincent demanded. “Why are you here?”
