Page 125 of The Duke's Mysterious Lover
Her voice dropping to a mere whisper, Kit finished the article. “Lady Bonkinbone, in the mind of every attendee in last night’s musicale, is a hero.”
Eyes wide, Kit finally lowered the newspaper.
Across the table, Thorne was staring back, equally shocked. As she watched, his surprise slowly turned to joy.
“A hero,” he repeated in a low tone. Then, louder, “Yerbravery.” He shoved himself to his feet. “Kit, do ye ken what this means?”
Slowly, she nodded. “No matter what rumors are started, this skews the narrative, assuming London will believe it.”
“Oh, they’ll believe it,” came a new voice.
Kit twisted to watch a beaming Fawkes stroll into the dining room with Ellie on his arm. “They’ll believe it,” he repeated, “because theywantto believe it. London loves a good hero, and the only thing better is a hero who is charming, beautiful, and talented. Christ, ye’re still eating breakfast?”
“Last night, while you and Thorne were playing host and hostess,” Ellie explained with a smile, “Fawkes and I sat with Olivia to plan this article. And then this morning, we have been visiting the offices of the other papers, offering exclusive interviews. Georgia and Demon went as well, as did Rourke, although his language was less colorful and therefore printable, thank goodness.”
Slowly, Kit pushed away from the table, rising to her feet. “What—what does that mean?”
Ellie reached for her hand, and squeezed it with a smile. “Itmeans, dear cousin, that by tomorrow, all of London will knowthat you were the hero who saved the Princess’s life. No matter what nasty rumors are started about your time in trousers, that fact will make you beloved.”
But Kit was shaking her head, the information still dazing her. “Bullsaved the Princess, by killing my father. I wasn’t useful at all.” When she felt Thorne step up beside her, she whirled on him, pulling out of Ellie’s hold. “Youwere the ones who brought down Blackrose, notme.”
Thorne, however, wore a huge smile as he reached for her, cupping one hand around the back of her neck, the other around her waist. “Kit,” he murmured, “do ye think that matters to us?”
“Itshould!” She was beginning to feel frantic. “Everything you—allof you—yourfamily! The sacrifices you all made, the fear you lived in, everything you’ve fought for these last few years…” She shook her head, curling her fingers around his lapels. “I can’t take that from you.”
“Ye dinnae have to.” His grin managed to grow. “Do ye think wewantacknowledgement? Doing so would admit our sins, the horrors we committed at Blackrose’s hand. Besides, Griffin wouldnae allow Bull’s name to be associated with this any more than the rest of us would.” His grip on her neck tightened as if he wanted to shake her, but with happiness instead of frustration. “Do ye see? By laying the credit atyerfeet, Olivia has protected us all,andnae one will care about yer attire last evening. Because ye only did it to protect the Princess—that’s what everyone will assume.”
And if it became known that she’d spent time dressed as a man, working as Thorne’s valet…well then, Society would assume that wasalsosomehow part of the plan to bring down Father.
All her actions since arriving in London have been working toward that end.
Kit’s eyes slowly widened as everything became clear.
“Do ye ken what this means?” Fawkes asked.
She nodded, still staring at Thorne. “Aye,” she rasped.
“Aye,” he agreed, beaming. “It means the new Countess of Bonkinbone—clever, beautiful, talented—is the new darling of Society.”
“Andthatmeans….?” prompted Ellie with a chuckle.
“Marry me,” Thorne whispered, gaze warm and welcoming and full of promise. “Kit, marry me.Please. Don’t make me do a grovel. At least consider it? I wanted to marry ye when—”
“When I was nobody,” she cut across, chest tight. “But now…”
“Now it’smewho isnae worthy enough forye.” Thorne tugged her closer. “It’s always been me unworthy of ye, Kit. I love ye. I’m sorry I didnae tell ye the truth.”
“I know why you did it,” she whispered. “And I forgive you, remember?”
His grin managed to grow again. “I love ye, and I ken that I’ll spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy ofyerlove. Ye’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a forever, and I’ll do whatever it takes to—”
“Oh, shut up,” Kit growled, yanking him closer with her hold on his jacket, and smashing her lips to his.
The laughter from their cousins was contagious. Kit felt her lips curling, and as the kiss ended, realized Thorne was already chuckling. He pulled away far enough to stare down at her. “Always the romantic.”
“Octavius Cumming, scion of the great Clan Comyn, unwilling and unprepared Duke of Stroken.Thorne.”
She’d made her gaze serious and her voice hard, while in the background, Fawkes hissed, “His name is Octavius? Can I call him Big O? Oof, why’d you elbow me? Fine, I’ll shut up and listen.”
