Page 104 of Irresistible
“You were absolutely right to do so. Having watched my parents in a marriage without love, I understand why it would be of paramount importance to you. It is to me too.”
“The Chesmores are an excellent example,” Jess said.
“Oh God, the Chesmores.” He couldn’t help laughing. “The look on poor Mary’s face when she finally puzzled it all out.”
“And we suspected them of espionage.” Jess giggled.
They both dissolved into a fit of laughter, and it was several minutes until they were composed once more. Barely. “They must come to the wedding, or the breakfast, at least,” Jess said, wiping her eyes.
“Absolutely. I’ll find out from the Ringshalls where they are staying. It sounded as if they are relations of Mary’s.”
Jess shook her head. “Of all the balls for them to come to. Would we have found our way without them?”
“I know we would have,” he said firmly. “I’d already planned to tell you that I love you and to beg you to reconsider.”
“I’d planned to do the same. I suppose this way was far more exciting.”
He chuckled. “Hopefully only for a short time. We may even wed tomorrow, if I can secure a vicar once we have the special license. But it will more than likely be the day after. Do you want to marry here or at my house?”
“I don’t care. I only care that you come back tomorrow night if we aren’t wed. I don’t want to spend a single night away from you. I know our bed in the Wordsworth room was positively cavernous, but I’ve missed you since we left.”
He wondered how his love for her could continue to increase. But it did, moment by moment. “I have too. I’ll see you tomorrow regardless. We’ll call once we have the license. Then I thought we might visit the Phoenix Club. My father and Robbie are keen to go, and Tuesday is the best night.”
Her brow pleated. “How can I go? I’m not a member. Evie arranged for me to attend before we left for Dorset, when I wanted to surprise you with my disguise.”
He recalled that evening and how impressed he was with her. “I almost didn’t recognize you. I do believe I might have started falling in love with you that very night.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“You’re right. I think it was when you touched me that night at Lucien’s. Already, you were demonstrating a mastery for performance and subterfuge.”
“I’m not sure I believe that either, but I only care that you love me now.”
“Always,” he corrected.
“Anyway, I can’t be a spy, not that I want to be. I shall be too busy being Lady Fallin. I understand we’ve an estate to explore and manage.”
The future had never looked more inviting to Dougal, and he was thrilled that she shared that perspective. “You’re certain this life is what you want? It is now my purpose to ensure you are happy.”
“I am, and yes, this—you—is definitely what I want. I’m quite keen to travel north, actually.”
Dougal was glad to hear it. “I can hardly wait to show you my home. However, my father wants to see London—more accurately, he wants to see what I do here—then we’ll return to Scotland. Beyond the Phoenix Club, I’m not sure there’s much else to see since most of everything I did was secret.”
“I understand you used to be a rake. Perhaps you could take us all on a tour of your youth. I imagine Robbie would enjoy that too.” She looked at him with mischievous anticipation.
He let out a sharp laugh. “I’ll consider that. I’m not sure which is more terrifying—showing that to you or my father. Or Robbie. He’ll almost certainly use it against me at some point. Or try to, anyway.”
She rolled him to his back and climbed on top of him. “I think I might like to bed a rake.”
Narrowing his eyes up at her, he clasped her waist. “I am, as it happens, a rake, a soldier,anda spy.”
An eager smile curled her delectable mouth. “Soon you will be mine.”
He pulled her down to kiss her. “I already am.”
Dougal and his father secured the special license without trouble, but Dougal was not able to organize the ceremony until the following day. This had slightly disappointed Goodfellow, but he seemed to be in a better mood overall. Jess’s mother was ecstatic. She’d already planned a breakfast to follow the ceremony, so they would be wed at the Goodfellows’ house.
Unfortunately, procuring the special license meant Dougal hadn’t been able to “follow” Jess to her meeting with Kent. So Dougal had sent him a note requesting his presence here tonight. He hadn’t received a response and only hoped the man would show up. Dougal hadn’t mentioned why he wanted to meet—he wanted to see Kent’s reaction when he learned Dougal knew the truth, that he’d employed Jess to investigate him.
