He thought to break down the door. Make a show of force to convince her he was sincere in his affections.
About to put a shoulder into the wood panel, he tested the door handle and found it unlocked. Girding his loins, he opened the door and winced. Marian was face first on the bed, her sobs apparent in how her shoulders shook. The bouquet of flowers had been abandoned on the dresser.
David made his way to the bed and sat down on the edge of it.
“How dare you?” she whispered when she realized he was there.
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I dare because I love you, and I wish to be your husband,” he said.
A sob robbed her of breath for a moment. “How much is he paying you?” she asked as a new round of tears began.
Grimacing, David shook his head. “I have no idea what your dowry is,” he replied. “He never said, and I didn’t ask.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her. “It wouldn’t matter, though. I want to marry you so much, I wouldn’t even require a dowry, except I would like for you and the children to have a decent settlement upon my death.”
Marian’s gasp was quickly followed by a sob. “Ch… children?” she repeated.
He nodded. “As many as you’d like, of course,” he said.
When she didn’t respond but only hiccuped, he pulled her into his arms and settled her on his lap. “Yesterday, when you asked if I was your betrothed, I was dumbfounded. It was such an unexpected question from such a beautiful young woman. I was so shocked and so happy, how could I say anything but ‘yes’?” he asked.
Marian furrowed her brows. “My uncle didn’t speak with you about marrying me?” she asked between hiccups.
David shook his head. “He did not. He didn’t mention it in his letter to me, either. I didn’t even know you were Dickey’s niece until we were in the card room yesterday.”
Dipping her head, she scoffed. “So a girl asks if you’re her betrothed, and you... you just say ‘yes’, without... without so much as... as an introduction?” she asked, her query interrupted by sobs.
Screwing up his face in a grimace, David nodded. “I did. I couldn’t help myself,” he admitted. “But I promise you, it will never happen again.”
“Oh?” she asked, her eyes rounding. Disappointment appeared in her expression.
“Well, of course not. The woman who is going to marry me in five minutes is right here on my lap. And she’s about to kiss me.” He took his handkerchief from her and dabbed her cheeks.
“She is?”
He nodded. “Marry me, Marian. You took my virtue. Now make me an honest man,” he whispered.
She leaned in and kissed him on the corner of his mouth, but he was quick to take advantage and kissed her on the lips. When he finally pulled away, he sighed. “I can hardly wait to make love to you again,” he whispered. He glanced around the room, remembering her comment about the pink decor. “You won’t even notice we’re surrounded by pink,” he added softly.
“Promise?” she asked as another sob robbed her of breath for a moment.
“I do.” David wasn’t about to tell her how much he looked forward to seeing her naked again, no matter what color room they were in.
She took a deep breath and used the handkerchief to wipe away the rest of her tears. “I’ll make an honest man out of you, David Engleston.” She gave him a watery grin.
David sighed in relief as he helped her to stand. Handing her the bouquet of flowers, he offered his arm and the two made their way to the Soho Club chapel.
Although her uncle wasn’t present when they entered and moved to stand before the priest, Richard arrived sometime before the vows were exchanged and signed as a witness. He even managed to kiss the bride on the cheek while Mrs. Skarsgard added her signature to the marriage certificate.
“I apologize for the misunderstanding,” Richard said as they made their way to the dining room. Huntley was already there, a footman seeing to his breakfast. “But as I recall, I did warn you that you would be meeting your betrothed here,” he added, his attention on his niece.
Marian dipped her head, deciding she didn’t wish to argue. “You did,” she murmured, once again wiping away tears from her cheeks.
Tears of happiness.
“Do be sure to see to it my dowry is paid,” she added.
Richard winced. “I will see to it on the morrow,” he promised, deciding it would be some time before he would be back in his niece’s good graces. He moved to sit with Lord Huntley.
“Would it be possible for a slice of the cake to be sent to my husband’s mother?” Marian asked of Mrs. Skarsgard. “She’s in Brighton.”
“I’ll see to it as soon as you’ve finished eating,” Mrs. Skarsgard replied. “And I’ll have the rest wrapped up for you to take to Engleston Park.”
Marian gave her thanks before she rejoined her husband and uncle, surprised the proprietress knew of their plans. Remembering a Soho Club footman had been at the townhouse the evening before, she realized the butler must have relayed the information.
“So, Dickey, when are you planning to marry?” David asked as he held Marian’s chair for her.
The earl gave a start. “How... how did you know?” he asked, looking up from his plate in surprise.
Marian and David exchanged knowing glances. “Just a lucky guess,” David said with a shrug.
