A Rogue to Ruin (The Pretenders #3) - Darcy Burke Page 0,108
what happened. I guarantee there are plenty of people up and about, and the host is one of them.” She pushed on his chest. “Go find out.”
“Why is this important right now?”
She stared at him as if he were the one with a head injury. “Because the sooner you become the earl, the sooner you can get a special license, and the sooner we can be wed.”
“Your priorities are astonishing.”
“They’re perfect, and I know you agree.”
She was right. He did. “Fine, I’ll go find Ripley. Shall I bribe him?”
She opened her eyes wider with sharp interest. “Do you think that will help?”
His answering laugh was much louder this time. “I’m trying to show that I’m not a criminal anymore.”
“Oh, yes. That’s true.” She settled into the pillow, a thoroughly charming and rather satisfied smile curling her lips.
“You look pleased with yourself.”
“I am. I’ve snared the most handsome, the most fascinating, the most wonderful man in London. No, the world.”
It was hard not to feel flattered and…loved. Rafe swallowed past the lump in his throat. He leaned down and kissed her. “Sleep. You need it.”
“I’ll try.” She turned and snuggled into the bedclothes.
Rafe watched her for another moment before turning toward the door. He contemplated whether he should don his coat and cravat, which he’d removed hours ago, and ultimately decided not to bother.
Before he reached the door, there was a soft rap. He opened it to find Jane standing on the other side of the threshold, her expression gently creased with anxiety. “How is she?” she whispered.
“I’m fine,” Anne called from the bed.
Smirking, Rafe shook his head. “She’s fine.”
“Sounds like it,” Jane said wryly. “I bring news from Ripley. Do you want to hear it?” she asked loudly.
Rafe heard movement from the bed and turned to see Anne struggling to sit up. He rushed to her side to help. “You need to rest,” he admonished.
“I am resting. I didn’t leap out of bed and do a jig, did I?” She looked past him toward Jane, who’d come into the chamber. “What news?”
“It seems the members of the Committee for Privileges who were present tonight, and it was the majority of them, have already decided that Rafe will be the earl.”
Anne’s face brightened, and her reaction was even more thrilling than the news itself. “Truly?”
Jane nodded. “They will formalize it on Monday.” She turned to Rafe and curtsied. “My lord.”
As the reality of this change settled over him, Rafe began to understand just how much his life had altered and would continue to do so. He would bear no resemblance to the boy or young man he’d been. A part of him was sad. For all his mistakes and regrets, he couldn’t deny who he was.
“What of my past?” he asked softly. “Didn’t they care?”
“They did,” Jane said slowly. “But, they understood that you were kidnapped, that you did the best you could in the life that was thrust upon you through no fault of your own. They also know of your kindness and generosity to orphans.” She touched his shirt sleeve. “That speaks volumes about your true character, Rafe.”
“She’s right,” Anne said, still beaming. “I’m so glad the committee saw that. Oh, this is wonderful. Now you can get the special license.” Her brow furrowed. “Do you think you’ll be able to get it on Monday, or will you have to wait for Tuesday?”
“Since you need a few days to recover, let us say at least Tuesday, with a wedding no sooner than Wednesday.” She pouted slightly, and he laughed.
“Fine, Wednesday. I suppose I can wait that long.”
Rafe didn’t want to wait either, but he’d managed thirty-two years without this spectacular woman. He supposed he could manage three whole days.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “But make it early on Wednesday.”
He found no quarrel with that. “As early as possible.”
Jane grinned. “Where will you have the ceremony?”
Rafe looked to Anne in question. “It’s up to you.”
“No, I want you to choose. You are embarking on a completely new life. Let us start it wherever you would like.”
“I honestly don’t care, so long as you’re there.” He turned to Jane. “We’ll have it at my house on Upper Brook Street.”
“Excellent. Do let me know how I can help. I’m sure your sisters will also be involved.”
“Are they still here?” Rafe asked. He knew Harry had returned to London with the prisoners as well as Ludlow’s body.
“Yes. Lord Rockbourne returned home to be there for his daughter in the morning, but Beatrix