In response to which, Delia turned to Phin and angled her chin. “I want him, Uncle Phin.”
“Why?” he asked. “Why this man above all your other admirers?”
Delia’s stubborn stare flickered with gratitude that he was willing to hear her out.
“Because…” she began before pausing and shrugging, which inspired another eyeroll from her mother. Seeing it, Delia’s expression firmed and she continued. “I want Lord Persham because when I am with him, I don’t feel like I have to pretend. I don’t speak in prepared scripts or try to fit myself into anything I think he wants. I’m just me. And it’s enough.Morethan enough. Gregory understands my humor. He asks for my opinion on things, but isn’t afraid to disagree or talk through different points of view. He treats me with respect and considers my wants and feelings as fully equal to his own.” She smiled and glanced down. “When I’m with him, I feel warm and safe and happy and excited for the future.” Glancing up again, she added, “We know we’re young and we’re content with a long engagement, but neither feel like there is anyone else for us.”
Phin felt her words a bit too personally and could honestly think of nothing to say against them. He gave a quick wink, ensuring only Delia saw it, before he turned to his sister. Though Maggie was clearly biting her lips to keep from interrupting her daughter, there was a mistiness in her eyes.
Even so, it took another two hours to resolve the conflict between mother and daughter. Finally, Phin got them both to agree to hold on making any further decisions until Phin had a chance to speak with the young man himself. And the lad’s father, if need be.
It turned out that Lord Pesham’s father had a few concerns of his own which were addressed one by one until they all reached an outcome they could agree upon.
Who knew that matrimonial negotiations could be so damned difficult and time-consuming? The task of mediating toward an acceptable agreement then having a formal contract drafted truly took all the romance out of the ordeal. Delia, however, was quite pleased when the eventual result was an official engagement. And Maggie, with her concerns properly assuaged, was more than happy to turn her attention to planning the announcement and engagement party.
Though a few days passed as he waded through the necessary stepsof ensuring Delia’s future, his thoughts never strayed far from Eleanor. He was relieved to learn that her parents had returned to London, which meant she would no longer be alone in that great house. But still, he checked in with Iago’s men whenever possible and was relieved to hear each time that no incidents were reported. The men who’d been assigned to Ackerly, also noted no suspicious behavior.
Three days after he’d last left her bed, Phin received a note written in a neat and measure script.
Lord A will be attending the Smithsons’ ball tonight. As will I. It is time to enact our plan.
Phin’s heart dropped to his stomach. Even as he sat down to write back and tell her the plan was far too risky and they had to find another way of drawing the man’s intentions to light, Iago stepped into his study. The man’s expression caused Phin’s fingers to tighten on the quill as he sat up straighter.
“What is it?”
“A man was observed outside Lindley House. One of ours watched him stroll past a few times, seeming to be studying the residence. When he finally left the area, he was followed.”
Phin tensed. “And?”
“He went straight to the address of Lord Ackerly, my lord.”
“Dammit.” The man was plotting something.
Eventually, he would find Eleanor in a vulnerable moment and wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage.
They had to end this.
He met his trusted man’s steady gaze. “We’re enacting the plan. Tonight.”
*
Phin snuck carefullyinto the Duke of Lindley’s London home. A different task now than previous times as the staff had nearly tripledwith the duke and duchess’s return to town.
Fortunately, Phin had become familiar with the route and could be rather stealthy when the situation required it. After listening at her door to ensure there was no one in the room with her, he slipped silently into her bedroom.
She stood at her window gazing out at the garden below. Watching for him, perhaps?
Knowing he should alert her to his presence, he gave himself a long moment to observe her first. A moment to admire her stunning beauty without making her uncomfortable. The gleaming black of her hair, her perfect profile, and warm golden skin, the regal grace in her figure encased in a satin gown in a pink-rose color so deep, it nearly appeared red in the candlelight.
She was gorgeous. No denying it. But she was also so much more.
He couldn’t help but admire her awareness and patience. Her courage and quiet but steady focus. Her certainty, loyalty, and the fire of her intimate passion.
His body hummed with resonant yearning. The lure of her drew him inexorably forward.
She turned as he silently crossed the room. There was no surprise in her face or alarm at his sudden appearance. Just a smile and a sigh of relief.
“Phin,” she whispered. “You’re here.”
