“I am. I am.” He gave her a crushing hug, squashing her against him with desperation. He quivered. “So happy,” he whispered in a trembling voice.
“What is it?” she asked. “Why are you shivering?”
He swallowed hard. “I would have never thought I’d be able to have a normal life. Who is born in the gutter dies in the gutter. That’s the rule. Even when I received the title, I didn’t think the sense of achievement would last. Deep down, I have always feared I would be alone and despised, always powerless, always a criminal. But marrying you…” He released her and kissed her again. “Being your husband is the best thing I could wish for. I want you to realise your dream as well, give you a family who loves you, and make you as happy as I am now.”
Her eyes stung. She blinked to clear her vision. “Thank you.”
He hugged her again, and she got lost in his strong arms and warmth.
“This is the beginning of a new life,” he whispered.
“For both of us.”
They remained in each other’s arms until the cab rolled to a stop in front of Angeline’s house. He escorted her to the back door and remained on the pavement, raising a hand in farewell, until she was safely inside.
After she closed the door, she leant against it.
How quickly the day had changed. She’d gone from being a thief shooter to being an engaged, happy woman in a matter of hours.
Royston would doeverything by the book.
Angeline had agreed to marry him, and even though the circumstances that had led him to that happy conclusion hadn’t been the best, he would give her the finest wedding ever. The preparations for a great wedding that would lead to a great marriage started with a ring.
To think that a few years ago, he’d been about to rob Garrard’s Jewellery. Instead, he was there to buy a ring. The irony of life.
“Does anything catch your eye, my lord?” the clerk asked from the other side of the glass display counter.
A few magnificent rings shone against the backdrop of a black velvet cloth. He couldn’t decide if the diamond ring was better than the blue one.
“Which stone is the blue one?”
“A topaz. It symbolises love, fidelity, good fortune, and confidence.”
“Perfect. The topaz then.”
“I’ll polish it and put it in a box, my lord.”
As the clerk put away the other rings, Royston paced around the glittering shop. Thank goodness he hadn’t robbed the place. The situation now would be awkward.
“Wharton.” Lord Redvers stopped next to him. “What brings you here?” He shook Royston’s hand.
“I’m buying a ring for my engagement.” Just saying that warmed his heart. “What about you, my lord?”
“I’m searching for a new pair of cufflinks, and I like to choose them myself. My wife buys me cufflinks I don’t like.” He glanced at the clerk polishing the ring. “So a marriage is on the horizon. Good on you. Who’s the lucky lady?”
“Miss Angeline Haywood,” he said with pride.
Lord Redvers’s eyebrows rose. “Fine lady. I wish you all the best, Wharton.”
The viscount didn’t say a word about the incident at the last ball, and Royston was glad for that.
“I meant to ask you something.” He lowered his voice.
“I know what you mean to ask.” Lord Redvers sighed. “Alas, no luck with that bill in Parliament yet. It’s not considered a priority.”
He wasn’t surprised. “Actually, I meant to talk to you about something else. Lord Havisham is petitioning my candidature for a seat in the House of Lords. Do you think that will make a difference with the approval of the bill?”
Lord Redvers frowned. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.”
