Page 90 of When the Viscount Seduces
“They will if they want to attend our wedding ceremony.” Her eyes narrowed slightly.
He put his hand to his chest. “My darling almost wife, you can be quite savage.”
She used her free hand to cup his head. “When it comes to you, I will do whatever is necessary in whatever manner is required.”
He gave her a sly smile. “How I love this commanding side of you.”
Her eyes glittered with promise. “I know.” She glanced out the window. “We have arrived, unfortunately. Let us go deliver the second-most shocking news of the day.”
Lazarus laughed. “I love you, my sweet Gwen.”
“I hope you never stop.”
He kissed her fast but deep, then locking his eyes on hers, fiercely vowed, “I will never.”
Lazarus stepped out of the carriage and held his arms up. “I’m ready.”
Gwen shook her head. “You are not carrying me into the house. That will send my mother into a complete upset. You may escort me.”
He frowned. Deeply. “I don’t care what your mother thinks or does.”
“Honestly, I don’t need you to carry me,” Gwen said. “As delightful as that is. Please just let me walk? If I feel faint at all, I will tell you at once.”
Exhaling, he lowered his arms. “Fine. But I dissent.”
Gwen couldn’t keep from smiling. “Noted.” She gave him the hand of her uninjured left arm and allowed him to basically lift her from the coach.
He put his arm around her waist and supported her as they moved toward the door. “All right?”
“Quite.” There was a steady pain in her arm, but it wasn’t terrible. The rum had likely helped. She didn’t particularly want to take the laudanum the physician had given her, so she would see what liquor her father could provide.
Lake opened the door and immediately gasped, his bushy gray brows drawing together. “My heavens, Miss Price! What has happened?”
“Just a minor injury,” she said with a smile.
“She does need to rest,” Lazarus said.
Gwen removed her hat and handed it to Lake. “Please inform my parents that I will be resting in my chamber. If they would like to visit, they may do so.”
“Has Gwen returned?” Her mother’s voice carried into the entrance hall just before she moved into it. Her gasp was louder than Lake’s, and her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes goggled. “What happened?” She glanced toward Lazarus.
“I’m fine, Mama,” Gwen said, having little patience after their earlier conversation. “Lazarus is going to help me up to my chamber, where he will sit with me for as long as I require. Tomorrow morning, he will obtain our license to wed.”
“Congratulations, miss,” Lake said, his gaze warm.
“Thank you, Lake,” Gwen said, happy to havesomeone’ssupport. “Lazarus, let us go up.”
He helped her to the staircase at the back of the entrance hall and they ascended slowly. Gwen’s mother followed behind. “Lake, fetch Mr. Price, please. Gwen, what happened?”
In the coach, they’d decided to tell her parents the truth. Gwen didn’t want to lie to them. “It’s a rather sordid tale, but all has ended well. I am safe and whole, and Lazarus and I will be wed on Thursday.”
“Thursday?” her mother sputtered.
When they reached the landing, Gwen asked Lazarus for a brief respite, adding, “Just one more story.”
“The hell with it,” he muttered as he swept her into his arms and carried her up the next set of stairs.
Gwen held her right arm over her middle and directed him to her chamber. Once inside, he set her on the edge of the bed. “Thank you.” She met his gaze, giddy with love and the love she saw reflected in them.
