Page 51 of The Beast of Beswick
“Isobel is nothing like me. She’s kindhearted and sweet, and people will take advantage of her. Especially my uncle, who has probably convinced her of his good intentions.”
He brushed the hair off her brow. “I think you underestimate what she’s capable of.”
“At least Agatha is with her,” she said eventually, closing her eyes and leaning into his touch. “She will look out for her as well as she is able.” Thane held her for a few more minutes until she gently extricated herself. “I had to come.”
“Yes,” he said, turning slightly so that his hips hid his renewed erection. Despite the circumstances, the feel of her long, warm body in his arms had been the sweetest kind of punishment, and while his reaction would most likely not be welcomed, it could not be controlled. The fiery tint of her cheeks, however, led him to believe that she’d already discerned the unruly state of his body.
“We need to marry before Uncle Reginald tries to find some loophole in my father’s will.”
“Yes, I have the license.”
Her eyes flew to his. “You do?”
“What did you think I came to London for?” he asked, frowning.
Astrid swallowed. “I don’t know. I assumed it was for business. Culbert didn’t say much other than you had gone. I thought maybe you left because you were angry.” Her eyes snagged on the evening clothing that Fletcher had set out. “Were you going out?”
“No.”
Her fingers dipped to stroke the superfine jacket. “It looks like you were.”
“I was, but I’m not anymore.”
“Beswick,” she began, and he sighed at the address. They were back to formality. She’d called him Thane when she’d first arrived, and the welcome sound of it had made his barren heart fist in his chest. Her beautiful face was devoid of emotion, but he could see those slender fingers of hers winding in her skirts as if they were too undisciplined to be contained by the force of her will. Those expressive hands always gave her away. “Do you have a mistress?”
His mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon?”
“Here in London. Do you?”
“No.”
“I thought that was why you came to Town. Because I could not…would not…give you what you wanted.” Astrid stared at the ground, her cheeks crimson. “I know when we first spoke about terms and mistresses…”
She gulped and trailed off miserably. Thane wanted to laugh, but he was sure she would not appreciate his humor in the situation. When she’d first propositioned him, he’d only been toying with her to see what she would say. He took her hands in his.
“Astrid, I assure you, I do not have a mistressormistresses. And I was not on the way out to sow my wicked and wild oats, if that was what you were imagining.” Her blush deepened, and he cleared his throat. “However, as it so happens, Idohave something quite important planned. And now, so do you, in fact.”
She glanced down at her dusty, wrinkled riding habit, her brown eyebrows raised in surprise. “I am not dressed for society. What is it?”
“Our wedding.”
She blanched, her voice lowering, though no one was around to hear her confession. “I am wearing breeches, Your Grace.”
Thane’s deep chuckle filled the room. “Somehow, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Chapter Fourteen
It was nearly over before Astrid could even blink.
And she did indeed appear for her own wedding in a riding habit andbreeches. Though she had brought a few of her sturdy gowns with her, Beswick seemed happy enough with her current state of dress. The minor mortification was eclipsed by the solemnity of the moment. Matrimony. To a man she barely knew but somehow trusted enough to hand over everything most dear to her.
Her sister. Her inheritance. Her future.
Her fragile heart, however, she would guard for as long as possible.
A vicar had been sent for, and the nuptials were to take place in Harte House’s empty ballroom. Though she mourned her sister not being present, it was for Isobel’s very sake that their vows were taken so hastily. Astrid would not put it past Beaumont to ruin Isobel given the chance, but her uncle and aunt would not welcome the scandal. Perhaps the earl, too, had secured a special license and intended to wed Isobel.
Well, no matter. She would now be the Duchess of Beswick.
