same spot where he’d left them, both still sporting worried expressions.
The Lord Admiral noted his smile. “Did you manage to repair the damage, Brayden?”
Dahlia was wringing her hands. “Oh, please say you did.”
“There is no damage to repair. The duke apologized to me and assured me that we will have his vote. Not only that, but he’ll throw his full support to us to be sure our budget request passes.” He turned to Dahlia. “This is your doing. He was thoroughly charmed by you. In fact, he’s going to ask Lady Fielding to seat you next to him at tomorrow’s party.”
The Lord Admiral emitted a sigh of relief. “Well done, Miss Farthingale.”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure what I did. I thought I had angered him, and he was livid.”
“You were honest with him, and he sorely needed it. Everyone panders to him. He recognized you as a person he could trust. It seems to be a precious commodity these days. However, tomorrow try to be a little more restrained in your opinions. I think you’ve sent him home with a blistered backside.”
The Lord Admiral laughed. “Well, my thanks for saving the Royal Navy. I shall leave you to Captain Brayden now.”
He bowed over her hand and then left them.
“So, I didn’t sink your best-laid plans?” She smiled at him.
“No, Queen Pea. You were brilliant. Would you care to dance? Stoke stole the last waltz from me. They’re about to play another, and I have a desperate need to hold you in my arms.”
“I think that would be lovely. But isn’t it unusual to play so many waltzes in an evening?”
“It is, but Lady Broadhurst has a daughter making her come-out. Three waltzes, three potential suitors. All rules are tossed out the window for this matchmaking mama.”
“I won’t complain. There is something quite heavenly about being in your arms.”
“Feeling is mutual.” There was a new awareness thrumming through him. Something had changed between them, and it took him halfway through their waltz to realize what it was. In helping him with the duke, they had just formed a very important connection. This had nothing to do with his response to her body or her beauty, which seemed to grow more spectacular with each passing moment.
This had to do with her becoming a part of his life. His assignment as navy liaison to Parliament defined him as a man. It was a prestigious position, even though it was not one he would have preferred for himself.
He would have been happiest in command of a battleship.
But liaison was the job he had been tasked to do. This evening, Dahlia had come through for him, saving his arse. More important, she’d saved him while remaining true to herself. For the first time, he realized how much richer every aspect of his life would be with her in it.
Until this moment, he had been thinking of her primarily as a pleasing bed mate. He had also been thinking of her as a wife and the perfect mother for their children, should they be blessed with them.
Those were important, of course. But he had not considered her as a confidante and partner in every aspect of his life. When it came to matters beyond their domestic life, he had only been thinking about what he could offer her.
Offer her marriage.
Offer his protection.
Provide a home for her.
Protect their children, should they have any.
He’d never once given thought to all she would add to his life. But he understood now what the author of The Book of Love had been describing. It wasn’t merely about the senses. It was about the connections one built over the course of a marriage. It was about the strengths in each that enhanced the other.
He did not know if the Lord Admiral would ask for more from Dahlia. But knowing she could handle whatever they tossed her way was a source of pride for him. Also, she offered a fresh perspective. As helpful as Joshua and Robbie always were, the three of them were often of one mind.
Dahlia would bring not only a fresh opinion but a woman’s opinion. Other men might dismiss it, but he’d been raised by a fierce, intelligent, and independent mother. He understood the value of her thoughts. Of course, he was not going to divulge military secrets to Dahlia. But his everyday worries?
“You are looking at me so oddly, Ronan.”
They were spinning around the room along with the other couples, flowing to the music in