When his brows suddenly furrowed, Rose asked, “What is it now?”
David lifted his body from hers. “I was to take my queen on a mission of utmost importance,” he stated as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He pulled on his stockings, but when he noticed how she stared at him in disbelief, he added, “You’re missing the most important royal jewel, my queen.”
Rose blinked and sat up. “What might that be?”
He scoffed as he pulled on his pantaloons, a brief glance at her naked torso nearly convincing him to return to her side. “A betrothal ring, Your Highness.”
Her eyes rounding in delight, Rose hurried off the bed, donned her chemise and corset, and stepped into the middle of her skirts and petticoats. In a few minutes, she was dressed and regarding her reflection in the cheval mirror.
Watching in wonder, David chuckled. “You do realize that now that I know how quickly you can dress, I’ll expect you’ll be able to do so when we’re getting ready for an event,” he warned as he pulled on his shirt and tucked it into his pantaloons.
“I’ll be the one waiting on you,” she replied as she made her way to the bed and pulled the linens and counterpane back into place. When she joined him on the other side of the bed, she had his cravat ready to wrap around his neck.
“Probably,” David acknowledged as he lowered his head. When she had the cravat behind his neck, she pulled on the ends until his head was close enough she could kiss him. He returned the kiss in equal measure, and when he finally came up for air, he furrowed a brow. “We could just go back to bed for the rest of the day,” he whispered.
Rose scoffed as she held up a hand and wiggled her bare fingers.
“Or we could go buy you a ring.”
“This queen is rather liking her new knight in shining armor,” she teased.
In the billiards room at Bostwick House
“Have you set a wedding date?” George asked when David finished telling him about the townhouse and his plans for redecorating.
“Rose told the butler we’d be married by mid-May,” David replied.
“That soon?”
David dipped his head. “She says she’s not getting any younger. In fact... she’s moving into the townhouse tomorrow.”
“And you?”
He shrugged. “When we’re wed. But... I’ve been invited for frequent visits,” he admitted.
George grinned. “Did you find a ring?”
Chuckling, David nodded. “Alex had the perfect betrothal ring for us,” he replied, referring to Alexander Tennison, heir to the Everly earldom and owner of theEwen and Ewenjewelry shop in Ludgate Hill. “A sapphire with some diamonds set in gold filigree. Rose loves it.”
Wincing at the thought of how much the bauble was going to set him back, George said, “And the announcement?”
“At the Ariley ball, of course,” David replied. “Rose told her father yesterday, which is probably why he gave her the townhouse.”
George nodded as he leaned against the billiards table and crossed his arms. “Something tells me yours won’t be the only betrothal announcement at the Ariley ball.”
“Oh?” David said as he placed his cue on the table and began retrieving balls from the pockets.
“Waverley has asked for Hope Batey’s hand in marriage, at least according to your sister.” He could just imagine Marcus Lancaster’s reaction to learning his daughter would one day be a duchess.
David’s grin widened. “I saw them dancing the other night. I never would have guessed they were betrothed.” He drained his port and set aside the glass when he noticed his father’s expression. “Anyone else?”
George dipped his head, his brows furrowed. “I’m beginning to think everyone in London is blind except for Ertugrul.”
Giving a start, David stared at his father. “Come again?”
His father huffed. “Nothing,” he said before taking a sip of port. He glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantel and then at the billiards table. “Best two out of three?”
Shrugging, David’s attention went to the clock. “Is there a reason you’re delaying going to bed?” he asked as he retrieved his pool cue from the table. “This could take some time.”
“I’m counting on it,” his father responded.
Deciding not to ask—nothing had happened during dinner to suggest his parents were not speaking with one another—David said, “Challenge accepted.”
