“If you’re my wife and duchess, all of this goes away.”
“Brody, I don’t think—”
“No one will dare say a word against you. I swear it.”
“It’s very heroic of you to offer, but…” She shook her head.
“Think of Lucy.” His intense blue eyes bored into hers. “She’ll have a chance at the future your parents wanted for her, and while I’ll admit I lack the funds one might expect of a duke, I plan to do better. All I’m asking is for you to give me a chance.”
A chance at forever. A marriage from which there could be no escape if either of them changed their mind. She wasn’t so worried about herself for she knew what was in her heart. But what about him? He’d made no declaration of love. His only motivation, it seemed, was the chance to be the hero. And where would that leave them as they settled into their daily routine?
For a second, she considered agreeing on the condition that he would swear fidelity to her, but she quickly abandoned that notion. It wouldn’t be fair. If he tired of her, he should be permitted to find his happiness elsewhere. This would not be a love match for him, but it would be convenient. For her.
Only a fool would walk away from the chance of a lifetime.
Harriet took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. Marrying a man she loved without knowing if he could ever love her in return would likely kill her, but he’d made the one argument to force her hand. She had to do it for Lucy.
With this in mind, she gave her answer. “Very well. I accept.”
22
Brody was over the moon. He’d not been this thrilled before in his life. Harriet not only loved him, she would also be his to love and adore until death did them part. Perching on the bed beside her, he drew her gently against him and pressed a kiss to her cheek. He’d been much too forceful before, considering she’d been sick all night and was only now starting to show signs of improvement.
Restraining himself had been near impossible though. But he made the effort while adding additional kisses against the edge or her mouth and across her delicate jaw. A salty flavor filled his mouth and he realized to his dismay that she wept.
“You won’t regret this,” he promised.
“I know,” she whispered, “but what about you?”
Her question forced him to sit back and think. He stared at her in wonder while pondering her watery eyes. Raising his hand, he swept a stray lock aside and tucked it behind her ear. “I see no reason why I would.”
She sniffed a little. “You’ve known me a very short time, during which you thought I was male. Your acquaintance with Harriet is new, Brody, so I do fear it may lead to some disappointment.”
He stiffened and slowly withdrew his hand. “My attraction to Harry was unique. It never would have occurred if you’d actually been a man, which means that it wasn’t him. It was you. Obviously, I mean, considering you are one and the same.”
“What you thought to be true has still been turned on its head.”
“Undoubtedly,” he agreed, “but the burning desire I feel for you hasn’t lessened. If anything it has increased now that I’m back in familiar waters. Were it not for your being unwell, I’d have you right here this instant.”
She gulped and her face turned a bright shade of red. “No one has ever told me such things before.”
“I should bloody well hope not,” he muttered.
Unable to resist, he set his palm on her knee, then leaned in and nipped at her earlobe. Her answering moan heated his blood like nothing else. No doubt about it. He very much wanted this woman. Knowing he’d have to wait, he settled Harriet into bed and tucked the blankets around her.
“Try to get some more rest, my soon-to-be wife.” He kissed her lips, pausing briefly before withdrawing. “There’s much for me to attend to. If you’re hungry for something more than what’s left on your plate, please use the bell pull.”
As much as he longed to stay, he forced himself to return downstairs. Rhys would require an explanation regarding Betsy’s dismissal. Finn would have to be informed of Brody’s upcoming nuptials. A wedding would have to be planned, which meant that his mother…
Brody froze on the stairs.
How the hell could he have forgotten her?
He bolted down the last few steps and ran to his study.
“Everything all right, Your Grace?” asked Rhys. The butler had materialized in the doorway before Brody was able to take his seat.
“Yes. I mean no. Something’s come up.” Brody stared at Rhys who stared right back, an expectant look in his eyes. “Do come in and I shall explain.”
