Page 36 of Mr. Notorious and the Nefarious November

Munro shook his head.

Ridiculous. She’d asked him to marry her. She’d told him she loved him. She wouldn’t change her mind.

But if she still wanted him, why had she left without even a good-bye?

Bloody hell. He felt a pang of sympathy for all the women he had left sleeping and without a good-bye. What an arse he’d been. He’d do it all differently if he could, but he couldn’t change the past. And he just hoped Beatrice would give him a chance to show her how happy he could make her today and always.

He crawled out of bed and rang for hot water. He wanted to face her cleanly shaven and well-dressed. A half an hour later, he made his way downstairs. The door to the dining room was ajar, and he could hear laughter mingled with the clink of cups on saucers. Judith’s light voice floated up to him followed by Lydia’s tinkle of a laugh and her older brothers’ chortles. Then Arthur said something, and everyone laughed. A pang of longing cut through Munro’s midsection, and he had to pause to catch his breath. Munro had never envied Arthur the title or the town house or any of the wealth he’d inherited. He’d never before envied Arthur anything, but now he coveted this family Arthur’s union with Judith had produced.

Surely, everyone was feeling the absence of Lavinia this morning, but they had each other. Munro had been without family and relying on the companionship of acquaintances for years. It had been his own choosing, but he didn’t choose that life any longer.

He took a breath, rushed down the stairs and into the dining room. As soon as he opened the door, everyone looked up from their plates.

“Munro,” Arthur said, setting his fork down. “I thought you’d left.”

“Change of plans,” Munro said, searching for Beatrice. She stood at the sideboard, plate in hand, her eyes locked on him. As soon as their gazes met, her cheeks turned pink. She should have looked exhausted. They’d barely slept all night. But shelooked beautiful with her hair in a simple tail down her back and wearing a plain cream muslin gown.

“You’re certainly welcome to stay as long as you like,” Arthur said.

“Yes, stay, Uncle Munro!” Lydia said. Aylmer and Guy echoed their sister’s sentiment. Munro’s gaze moved to Judith, who gave him a suspicious lift of one brow. No invitation would be forthcoming from that quarter. He turned his attention back to Beatrice, who had set her empty plate back on the sideboard.

“I do plan to stay,” he told his nephews and niece. “On one condition.”

“What’s that?” Guy asked.

Munro crossed the room to stand before Beatrice. Reaching for her hand, he lowered to one knee.

“Munro, stand up,” she said, glancing at the rest of the family. “There’s no need for this.”

“I want to do this right. You deserve it.” He reached up and took her hand.

“What is happening right now?” Judith asked, her voice rising.

Munro ignored her. “Beatrice Haddington Barnet, I have been in love with you for years. I lost you once and I almost lost myself. Now that I’ve found you again, I’ve found the other half of myself.”

Her mouth parted in surprise.

“I know I haven’t been a perfect man, but you’ve made me want to be a better man. Because of you, Iama better man, and I will keep striving for perfection so I might be the best husband possible for you. Beatrice, will you do me the enormous honor of becoming my wife?”

She nodded her head as tears spilled from her eyes. “Yes, Munro. Yes.”

He rose, picked her up, and spun her around. And then, although he knew it was inappropriate, he kissed her. He’d behave tomorrow.

The boys groaned and made retching sounds. Beatrice laughed, and Munro pulled her close. He whispered in her ear, “Just one thing left to do.” Setting Beatrice down, Munro turned toward the table and approached Judith.

“Well, this is a revelation,” Arthur was saying. “It looks as though we have another wedding to plan.”

Judith’s lips were pressed tight, and then her eyes widened as she realized Munro was coming toward her. She pushed back her chair, but Munro knelt before her before she could rise. “Lady Notley, you have every reason to doubt my character and to want to protect your sister. But I beg you not to doubt my love for her or my sincerity when I tell you that all I want is to be the model of the perfect husband.” He glanced at his brother. “Much like your own.”

Arthur made a sound of surprise. “Well, I don’t know about that—”

“Your parents have passed away, and you’ve been like a mother to Beatrice,” Munro continued. “It seems only fitting that I should ask for your blessing.”

Judith’s mouth opened and then closed again. Her gaze lifted and met her sister’s. Behind him, Beatrice stepped forward and put a hand on Munro’s shoulder.

Judith cleared her throat. “You don’t need my blessing. You’re both of age.”

“But I want it,” Munro said. “And Beatrice needs it.” He didn’t look away from Judith, and finally her gaze met his. Her eyes appeared more blue than the green of her sister’s, and she could look steely at times. But now he saw her expression soften.

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