The butler closed the door behind him, and Ewan crossed his arms. He had never been one for meaningless chatter, and he had nothing to add to the topic of flowers or spring. “I want to marry your daughter.”
The duke turned to face him. “I did not think you had come to discuss gardening. But I did hope you would not bring up a topic we have already put to rest.” He put his hand on his desk and slid a folded paper toward Ewan. “This is your salary. Take it and we can conclude our business once and for all.”
Ewan didn’t even lower his gaze. “I want Lady Lorraine.”
The duke’s gaze remained on Ewan. “I am offering you payment for services rendered. That is all.”
Ewan wanted to turn and go. He wanted to walk away, acquire the license, and ride hell for leather back to London to steal Lorraine away. But she wanted a wedding and banns and attendants.
He tried not to shudder.
“I do not need your blessing, but I would like it. The lady has already agreed. She wants announcements and guests and a church.”
The duke raised a brow. “I can keep her from you.”
Ewan didn’t even bother giving a response. No one could keep Lorraine from him, and the duke must have known his words were empty threats.
“What do you want?” Ridlington finally asked. “Do you want a wedding with all the fanfare?”
Ewan gave him a stony stare. “I want her happiness. Nothing else matters.”
The duke sighed. “So do I.” He rounded the desk and slapped Ewan on the shoulder. “You don’t know how pleased I am to see you and hear you say you will not give up.”
Ewan narrowed his eyes. Was the duke feeling well? He did not smell of spirits.
“You are not the man I would have chosen for her, but you are the right man after all. You love her, and that makes all the difference.” The duke stepped back. “You do love her, do you not?”
“Yes.”
“Then love is what matters.” He pointed to Ewan. “Do not let anyone tell you differently. I had to learn the hard way. Too much pride to fight for the woman I wanted and loved. I had to make sure you were smarter than I.”
“I have your blessing?” Ewan asked, still uncertain.
“Yes.”
The library door opened, and the Duchess of Ridlington entered, followed by Lorraine, who looked as surprised as Ewan.
“You have my blessing as well.” The duchess left Lorraine at his side and crossed to stand beside her husband. Lorraine elbowed Ewan in the ribs when the duke took the duchess’s hand in his.
“When would you like to have the wedding?” the duke asked.
“Tomorrow,” Ewan said.
Lorraine gave him a look of exasperation. “You know it will be at least a month before all the banns may be called.”
“And there is Lorrie’s trousseau to think of,” the duchess added.
“One month then,” Ewan said. When the women looked as though they might protest he held up a hand. “No more.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Draven has offered to assist Mr. Mostyn in opening a pugilism club. I believe he is eager to marry so I might be able to assist him,” Lorraine explained.
“I believe that is one reason he is eager,” the duke muttered. “A pugilism club is all well and good, but you needn’t ask Draven for help. You will have Lorrie’s dowry as well.”
Lorraine gasped. “Really? Even though I am not marrying the man you chose?”
“We want your happiness, dear,” the duchess said. “But we wanted to make sure this was not another passing fancy. If you love him—truly love him—so do we.”
“Oh, Mama, I do! I really do.”
“I see that.” The duchess gave the duke a look that spoke more of love than any Ewan had ever seen. Then she tugged her husband’s arm. “Let’s give the two of them a few moments to discuss details.” She wagged a finger at Ewan. “Just a few moments and just a discussion.”
He bowed slightly.
When the door closed behind the duke and duchess, and Ewan and Lorraine were alone, Lorraine twirled into his arms. “I confess I am shocked at this reception. When I found my mother in my bedchamber, I thought she would thrash me. I cannot think what has come over the two of them.” She looked into his eyes. “Do you think they’ve fallen in love again?”
“Probably.”
She brought a hand up to his cheek and rested it lightly against the bristle. “Do you think we shall ever fall out of love?”
He took her hand and placed it on his heart. “Not so long as this is beating.”
Lorraine’s eyes widened. “So you can be romantic!”
“Only when it’s what I truly feel.” And before she could say more or her parents could return or the madness of wedding preparations could begin, he took her lips in a kiss designed to show her exactly how romantic he could be.
Twenty-four
Neil could have killed the Protector. Not only did the bloody fool want to leg-shackle himself, he felt the need to drag Neil, Rafe, and Jasper into the fray as well. Why not make all the men of Draven’s troop attendants and be done with it? His men had suffered through more dangerous missions, although all the weeping ladies in the church definitely ranked this task one of the top five most miserable.
Neil could see Stratford and Phineas grinning at him from the third pew. They obviously thought it amusing to see Neil and Jasper shifting uncomfortably while the vicar droned on. Rafe, for his part, stood beside Neil looking as cool as a stream in spring. But then Rafe was a master at dodging matrimony. He was probably not standing here imagining himself in Ewan’s position.
Neil glanced at Ewan, who towered over his pretty bride, her small hand in his larger one. He couldn’t see Ewan’s face, but he could see Lady Lorraine’s, and she was smiling so brightly he almost needed to shield his eyes.
Ewan had looked the same when he’d asked Neil to stand up for him. The Protector had been doubly pleased because not only would he wed the woman he loved, but he’d heard the Earl of Pembroke had thrown Francis out of Pembroke House and cut off his allowance. Neil might have had some part in making sure the earl knew of Francis Mostyn’s latest transgressions.
The Protector’s beaming smile caused Neil the moment of weakness that had led to his agony at present. He had not been able to refuse Ewan’s request to serve as an attendant, even though he not only detested weddings, he detested pomp and ceremony. If Neil had been in Ewan’s position, he would have said the vows in front of two or three witnesses and been done with it.
That would not have won Ewan much applause from his bride, and that was why Ewan had agreed to suffer through this ritual. Neil would not have left one of his men on the battlefield, and this wedding was tantamount to an offensive. Neil couldn’t retreat now. God knew Ewan needed reinforcements to shore him up.
God also knew they could all be drinking at the Draven Club right now, enjoying peace and quiet and a lack of weeping, if Ewan hadn’t fallen in love.
Poor man. He’d probably never have another moment’s peace and quiet again. Lady Lorraine was pretty and amusing, but in one hour the chit said more than Ewan ever said in a year.