Page 64 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

The night had not convinced him there could be merit in getting to know her family better, though it had helped. It was Beatrice who had convinced him of that. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know everything about her. Her family was part of who she was, and if he wanted to get to know her better, then he wanted to get to know her family better.

The conversation flowed, as did the wine, as the main course was devoured. Dessert came in the form of a decadent chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream. The twins ran off to play elsewhere in the house, and the group was split once again. The Duke found himself back in the drawing room with the Earl, sipping one last small glass of cognac to finish the evening.

“I wish to thank you for protecting my daughter,” Phineas said, with some chocolate torte around his mouth.

“You are welcome, Lord Ramsbury.”

“I have a feeling that you did not know exactly what you would do about the malicious rumors until I asked you, and I don’t care what your plans are. I only wanted to look you in the eye as you spoke of them. My daughter has caused all manner of trouble for this family, but she is my daughter, and I love her deeply. I do not wish her any harm. I might not have liked her means, but the end was splendid. She married a good man, and I can see in your eyes that you will take care of her.”

“I will,” Edwin vowed.

Phineas was happy as he walked a couple of steps toward the window and looked out. “I was much like you once,” he admitted.

“Oh?” Edwin raised an eyebrow.

“Not as handsome, of course.” Phineas chuckled. “My marriage was arranged, and while yours was not an arranged marriage in the typical sense, the same principle applies. You and Beatrice were thrust together, and that can be hard. Believe me, I lived through it. I can see the same look in your eyes that I had not long after I married Letitia. You are not there yet, but when you fall in love with her, it will become the most wonderful thing in the world.”

Edwin wanted to argue back, but he found that he couldn’t. He was not in love with his wife, as foolish as that sounded, but there was something there. Not only from him—he had seen it in Beatrice’s eyes, too. She felt something for him.

It was not a feeling he wanted to explore, but he did not know if he could resist it.

He took a sip of his cognac and looked out the window, too.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Alone At Last

“Iam sorry about my family,” Beatrice said when they were alone in the coach.

“There is no apology needed,” the Duke assured. “I’m only glad someone can rival me for having the craziest family.”

“So, you are not done with me? If I had just met my family for the first time, I would be running for the hills.”

Edwin laughed, and his whole face brightened. Beatrice remembered her opinion of him when they had first wed—she had been scared of him. But he was not like that at all. She did not know how he had gotten his reputation, for she found him so thoroughly pleasant.

“The night went better than expected,” Edwin told her. “It did not go in any wayasI expected, but it ended well. I don’t know if my nerves could take another supper like that, but it was needed. I know Mother and Elizabeth enjoyed it thoroughly.”

The two women were riding in the coach behind theirs.

“Then I must apologize for my actions,” Beatrice said. “I have been trying not to think about it, but you are in this mess because of me. If I had not becomethe Runaway Bride, it would not have led to my trapping you into marriage. I have no plans to run away from anything anymore, but I can’t guarantee that I will not mess something up again.”

“Pease stop,” the Duke ordered. “Yes, you made mistakes, but so have I. So has everyone. I was the one who wanted to marry, and your mistakes made that happen for me. I have what I want, and your family has what they want. You need to either accept what you have or figure out what you truly need. Still, this evening has shown me one thing.”

“What is that?” Beatrice asked.

“I enjoy having you by my side. I know we were with your family tonight, but we displayed a united front. I enjoyed the way you defended me and backed me up. I never expected that in a wife. I am not sure what I expected, but my expectations must be raised now.”

Beatrice felt a small flutter in her stomach. “I enjoyed it too. My family can be a lot sometimes, but they did not feel like a lot with you there. I delight in whatever our partnership is.”

“Your support pleased me earlier,” Edwin said suddenly. “It makes me want to please you back.”

The flutter in Beatrice’s stomach intensified. Since their night of passion, she had been waiting for more.

“We will be back home soon,” she pointed out.

“I don’t know if I can wait,” the Duke admitted.

“I know I can’t,” Beatrice agreed.

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