“Then care for me, Patience, in any erratic, chaotic manner you choose. It will be better than anyone else making decisions for me.”
She jerked up. “But I’m not even in half mourning. I last saw Colin in July, but he died in December. This is a rush.”
“You are considering it if you’re questioning silly rules.”
“What if I did see his ghost? What if he haunts me? He wasn’t happy. How would he take us?”
“Colin is free. I hope he’d be happy for his son. You need to be free of guilt. I know you. I know you tried to make my cousin’s life beautiful, but a man has towantpeace.”
“You will regret settling down.”
“This is what I want.”
“Lady Shrewsbury says you’ve changed what you wanted a good number of times.”
“Not quite true. It was a mutual parting. Our goals didn’t match. Your goals and mine match. And if you’re going to make me act like a henpecked husband chasing you about London, give me the benefit of being a henpecked husband.”
“You make this all sound so logical.”
“Logic and strategy are my strength. Do I need Lady Shrewsbury to catch us like this for an old-fashioned compromise?”
“With my father . . . with my father gone, who’d force you? I should go back to my room.” Brushing at her cheeks, she scooted free. “See you in the morning, Duke.”
“Busick, Patience. My wife should call me by an intimate name.”
“I haven’t agreed.”
“Stay until you do. I’m staying.”
“Even if Wellington says he needs you?”
“He’ll have to learn to share me like Lionel must learn to share you.”
“No jokes. None, please.”
He strained and caught the sash of her robe.
Her turn was slow, but he hoped she saw he’d choose her, her and Lionel over Wellington. “Before you leave, I’ve worked on a new schedule. Here, Nanny Jordan.” With a grunt, he reached for his paper that sat atop Colin’s diary on the bed table and pressed it into her shaking hands.
“You’re moving better, maybe? You’ll walk soon. We don’t have to discuss marriage.”
“Yes, we do. Read the schedule.”
Clutching it, she looked down. He saw more tears in her eyes.
“You will see a wedding marked at two this afternoon. Please attend. Have Lionel ready. He and Gantry, they will serve as my best men. Wellington is not invited.”
“How could I refuse—”
“Patience, a marriage of convenience solves this little problem we have. You kissing me. Me liking it. That’s a bonus, an extra benefit, truly. Our attraction will only grow, but I know you trust me. I trust you. This will give that boy we both love the benefit of us as a team. And if anything were to happen, I will rest well, knowing you’re protected. Give me this. As a man, I need this.”
“Repington . . . Busick.”
“Follow orders, Jordan. I expect you here at two with Lionel. Then this door between us will never be shut. I think we’ll both sleep better with nothing separating us.”
“That’s not a declaration of love. But I had one of those. And in the end, it meant little. It’s a practical arrangement.”
“With benefits. My title and such.”
