Page 53 of Good Duke Gone Hard

“Maggie, the past two days have been pure torment. I have wanted to see you more than you’ll know. But I needed time. In fact, I recruited Dr. Walker to help buy me some time. After his assessment of me, he concluded that I was fine. He thought I was either dehydrated or that I had just overexerted myself.” Jonathan smirked at Margaret, “Probably both…But I told him I needed time and that two days should be enough if I worked quickly.”

He watched her brows pull down. “You prescribed two days' rest for yourself?”

“In a manner of speaking. I needed time to…”

Feeling a slight tug away from his hand, but he pulled her close. “I needed time to set something up for you. I know you’ve never wanted to marry just for the sake of marriage, and you’ve often searched for something more to bring to the table. I believe you’ve found it painting and using that to help others. At least, for now?”

He waited for her to nod.

“I bought you a building.”

Margaret’s jaw hung open. “How big?”

“It’s in London.” That wasn’t the answer to her question, but it was the continued flow of his earlier thoughts. “You can start small. Or big. However you like. You can hire a team or appoint volunteers. You can create that society you mentioned. We can get more solicitors, a team of doctors. Whatever you need. It’s your–

She pressed her fingers to his lips.

He gently kissed them and then pulled them away. “I just want you to know that I believe in you. I’ll support you in whatever dreams you have. I want you to have all of your dreams fulfilled.”

Then he dropped to one knee. “And I hope I’m one of those dreams, Maggie. I love you with the very essence of my being. And I have been doing so for a very long time. Will you marry me?”

MARGARET WATCHED HIM DROP to one knee, and everything stilled. There was no longer time, and perhaps there was no longer space. Her soul, her very existence, was tied to his. United as one. She knew it when she was young and innocent. He was the only one she had ever wanted.

She knew it before, and she knew it now.

He was staring up at her and there were a thousand thoughts flowing through Margaret’s mind. She wanted to topple him over and kiss him senseless.

She wanted to upbraid him for leaving her in the dark for two days. Alright, one a half, but that was absolutely too long.

A small part of her wanted to demand more details, but first she had to make one thing clear.

“Thank you for the building.” Then she threw her arms around his neck. Somehow in the tumble, she had ended up underneath him.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes. Yes now. Yes before. Yes always.”

Chapter 20

THENEXTWEEKFLEWby. It was decided that they would marry before winter weather prohibited an outdoor wedding. Jonathan pleaded his case with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Along with a few supplemental words from Dr. Walker and His Grace the Duke of Wellingford, Jonathan secured a special license to marry quickly and in whatever locale they preferred. Which was by the pond of course.

Food was ordered and brought in immediately because the current houseguests were invited to stay and join in the celebration.

Although Margaret should have been all-consumed with wedding plans, she had set aside time to write some correspondence in hopes of gaining some momentum for her–currently nameless– society that aimed to help others through painting.

However, the night before the wedding, she was exhausted and didn’t want to discuss another wedding plan or business plan item for, well forever for wedding stuff, and at least a few weeks for business stuff. She deserved a proper honeymoon, to be sure.

As Margaret sat in front of her mirror, she was brushing one hundred strokes through her hair. Normally it was something that Adeline would do, but Margaret wanted time to think.

She was thinking about her future with Jonathan and the children they would have together. She imagined having a boy that looked just like him and could laugh his way through life. Just like his father. Seeing into the years ahead, she could envision Jonathan teaching their children to fish and ride horses. She, of course, would handle the target practices. Chuckling to herself, Margaret could feel the stress of the week and the nerves of tomorrow turning into giddiness. It was a good time to go to bed now.

Unexpectedly, she heard a knock on her door. It was a familiar tap though.

Smiling, she opened the door a crack, and a hand reached through, grabbing her wrist. He whooshed in the room like a fresh breeze. Clad only in breeches and a loose shirt with open collar, she could see the hair on his chest calling her to run her fingers through it. She didn’t refrain.

“Maggie, my love. I couldn’t wait.”

“Wait until tomorrow, you mean?”

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