Page 88 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

Her father shook his head. “No, I don’t have the energy for that. If Lavender trusts you, who am I to interfere with your reasons?”

Lavender sniffed. “You trust my judgement?”

Her father took her other hand, beads of sweat beginning to shine on his bald head. “I wouldn’t have sent you to London to find a husband if I didn’t. The only thing I want to know is whether this is a marriage of convenience or not. You knew we were pressuring you to find a husband, and Lord Fenleigh, I know you must be in some spot of trouble. What does it benefit you to marry my daughter? Is it finances you are in need of?”

“I don’t need her dowry if that is what you are insinuating. But I could speak for hours of the benefits of marrying Lavender. She is kind and compassionate and wise and humble. She makes days brighter and nights unbearable because she isn’t with me. I love her, Lord Gardner: Lavender is the center of my world, and we’ve come to ask you for your blessing.”

The center of his world—she’d never felt so wholly important to anyone. She was the background flower, the one who was made to help others. She might not continue to be such a background figure as a duchess, but she could certainly use her position in society to help others, to foster peace, to encourage kindness. And she wouldn’t be alone. She had faith in Thomas’s abilities.

Lavender’s mother was sitting on the end of the bed at the end of Thomas’s speech. “You’re not going to take her to France, are you? My son cannot be associated with such a scandal as that.”

Thomas took a slow audible breath through his nose, likely to remind himself to be patient. “I am not a traitor to the crown, my lady. And I will not take Lavender to France unless we choose to tour the country one day when it is safe to do so.”

Lavender’s father coughed, his entire body shaking with the movement. “So long as you continue doing whatever is making you look like you have a purpose to your life, and your name gets cleared, you have my blessing. You’d best procure a special license, Your Grace. I’d like to see this wedding if I can.”

Thomas nodded. “Thank you, Lord Gardner. I will see to that as soon as I can manage it.” He held out his arm to Lavender and led her from the room. Her parents’ voices oddly silent behind them. It seemed they were at a loss for words—not for long, surely.

As they descended the stairs, Thomas stopped one stair below Lavender and set his hands on her waist. He pulled her close to him, their faces a breath apart. “Before I go to procure that special license, would you introduce me to Henry?”

Lavender’s stomach danced at his touch like moonbeams reflecting off a river. She leaned toward him and took in the scent of his shaving soap before she kissed his cheek. “I’d love to.”

Pulling her even closer, Thomas ran his hands up her back and kissed her properly. The worries and concerns about her parents' reactions slowly fell from her shoulders. He kissed away her feelings of insufficiency and replaced them with an awareness of how much she was valued. She allowed him to take his time, relishing every moment they stole together. Thomas forced her away from him and took another step down the staircase. “We’d best be going. I don’t intend to wait long to make you my wife, Lavender. I side with your father: the sooner the better.”

She led her betrothed out to the gardener’s shed at a much quicker pace than she’d led him to her parent’s chambers. Her knock held no hesitation. She inhaled the sweet scent of spring and sunshine while she waited for the wooden door to open.

Henry beamed at her. “Lady Lavender, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” He limped out of the shed and bowed low to her. “Who is this young man you’ve brought home?”

“What happened to your leg?”

“Oh, I just took a little tumble in the woods. They’re an overgrown mess, always have been. I’ll be right in a week or two.”

Lavender led him to a bench to sit down while she finished her introduction. “I want to introduce you to Thomas Monteclare, my intended.”

Thomas bowed to Henry. “It is an honor to meet you. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from Lavender. And I feel I owe you a debt of gratitude for watching over her so fully. Without you, I might not be the happiest of men.”

A buzzing sounded in Lavender’s ear, and she flinched away from a lazy bee.

Thomas swatted it from the air with the back of his hand.

Henry laughed. “You’d best get used to doing that, son. She attracts more bees than the flowers do.”

Lavender tried to calm her breathing.

“One of her requirements for a husband was to be willing to take a bee sting for her. I will be diligent, I promise.” Thomas came behind Lavender and put his arms around her waist.

Henry laughed even as Lavender’s chest filled with gratitude for this man she loved so fully.

“What were her other stipulations?” Henry asked.

Thomas smiled at the elderly gardener. “She requires an incredible library. Thankfully, I can give her that as well. She also requires all my devotion, attention, and love. She’s still coming to understand how important those are. I intend to spend the rest of my days showing her.”

Lavender felt like she was floating. How was she so blessed to have the love of the lost duke?

“Now,” Thomas pulled Lavender in close and kissed her neck. “When I get back from procuring a special license to marry this incredible woman, I expect you to tell me where you want me to begin gardening first. Your injury has let the paths get a little out of hand.” He winked at Henry.

“You have experience with gardening?” Henry looked impressed.

“A little,” Thomas said.