Page 31 of Stealing a Scoundrel's Heart
His grace looked at him directly and said, “Your fifteen minutes are up.” He looked down at Marjorie and then added, “And from the looks of it, you two haven’t spent a single moment discussing much of anything.”
“I’ll have you know that there are many forms of communication…”
Like he had yesterday, the duke interrupted. “Marrie, before you lecture me, let me ask you this—do you wish to wed Dartman, or are you simply exercising your freedoms as a widow?”
Marjorie’s eyes went big. “Benedict Brownstone.”
“Stop stalling, Marrie, and answer the question.”
Seeing as he too wished to know the answer, Alister remained quiet. He wouldn’t force the issue of marriage if it wasn’t what Marjorie wanted. But he secretly hoped she wanted to marry him as badly as he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Marjorie lowered her gaze to the ground. “I wish to speak to Alister alone.” When the duke didn’t move, Marjorie added, “Benedict, please, fifteen more minutes. I promise we shall talk and nothing else.”
The duke glanced at Alister, shook his head, and then stalked back to the house. It was obvious how much he cared for Marjorie. Foxton had been right. There was probably very little that the man wouldn’t do for his wife and Marjorie.
Freed of his fears, Alister moved to stand in front of Marjorie. “I know we have not known each other for long, and there are many, many things for us to discuss and discover about each other, but I have fallen totally and utterly in love with you.”
The woman who made his heart beat faster looked up at him with a gleam that had him heaving in a deep breath.
Marjorie placed a hand in the middle of his chest. “That is a good thing, for I’ve fallen in love with you too.”
Three months later…
WICKED WIDOWS’ GRAND BALL
Alister adjusted Marjorie’s domino and then tied the silky black ribbon over her hair. He twirled her around and kissed her. He’d missed her.
They had spent a good portion of every day for two glorious weeks together while Marjorie resided with her friends at Fairmont Manor. It took the full fortnight for Alister to become accustomed to the duke’s regimented days and the duchess’s direct manner, but it also reinforced for Alister that Marjorie was the only woman he wanted to spend the rest of his days with.
He had accompanied Marjorie back to Brighton, where he had fallen even more in love with her. If hadn’t been summoned back to London by his friends for a special session called at the House of Lords, he would have happily remained at the seaside cottage. Alas, he had returned to London and spent the last week in agony without the company of Marjorie. Thank the heavens for the Wicked Widows’ annual ball. Marjorie had snuck back into town and come directly to his residence, with no intention of mentioning her arrival to her two overprotective friends, or so he dearly hoped.
Alister released Marjorie before he mussed her hair beyond repair. “Ready?”
“Not quite.” Marjorie tugged him down by his lapels and kissed him once more, raking her fingertips over the back of his neck. She pulled back and smiled. “I’ve missed you.”
His mother’s ring weighed heavily in his pocket. They had agreed a promise of fidelity would suffice, but during this past week, insecurities of losing Marjorie to another had driven Alister crazy. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her; it was he didn’t trust gentlemen. For if he were interested in an unwed woman, he’d eternally hold out hope that the woman might change her mind. He was well aware proposing was a selfish act, asking Marjorie to forgo her freedom as a widow, but he’d had Lord Weathersbee draft up agreements to ensure her financial assets remained her own. He only wanted her and her heart.
There was no reason to delay. Alister looked up at the ceiling and sent up a quick prayer Marjorie would agree to marry him.
He ran his hands along the outside of her arms until he could clasp her gloved hands in his. “I’ve been thinking…”
Marjorie pressed a finger to his lips. “You think too much. Let’s simply enjoy this eve.”
Every ounce of self-doubt rose to the surface.
Her brows knitted and she stared directly into his eyes. “What is it? Do you no longer wish to go to the ball?”
“Never mind.” He forced his lips to curve into a smile. “I’ll have the carriage brought around at once.”
“Stop.” She cupped his face in her hands.
Don’t look too hard, my love, or you might come to realize I’m a man not deserving of you.
“Alister… breathe.” Marjorie’s brows dipped below her domino. “Tell me. Tell me what you have been thinking. However, it had best not be that after our separation you’ve decided that this shall be our last night together.”
“Why in the blazes would I say such utter nonsense?”
“You up and left Brighton with nary a word but ‘I’ve been summoned to town.’ What was I to think? Mayhap you were returning to see one of your previous lovers? Mayhap after a week apart you decided it best we separate…” She heaved in a breath and dropped her hands to her side.
