her wedding. Perhaps it was petty of her to feel this way, but she could not help it. Ronan was hurt, their wedding plans were rushed, and the beautiful gown she had intended to wear for the ceremony was covered in slime because Ronan had almost killed himself tossing his body over hers to protect her.
The members of their families, all of whom had been cheered to learn he was on the mend and that wedding plans were moving forward, were now quietly seated downstairs, too overset by what had happened to even crack a smile.
Dahlia, with Heather’s help, took a moment to change into another gown before returning to Ronan’s side. She knocked softly before entering his room while her sister went downstairs to join the others.
“Queen Pea,” he said, his eyes still etched with pain. “I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
She shook her head. “This wasn’t your fault. Ronan, are we about to make a huge mistake? Perhaps we ought to put off our plans to marry.”
Is this what The Book of Love was warning them about?
He reached out to caress her cheek when she sat beside his bed. “Taking you as my wife is the best decision I’ve ever made,” he insisted. “If you were the target, then I’m more determined than ever to get the ceremony performed immediately. I want the right to remain beside you, to protect you night and day. I don’t care if I have to break a thousand ribs to do it.”
Her eyes rounded in horror. “Oh, Ronan! What if you did break another one while lunging to protect me?”
“I didn’t. Believe me, I would have felt it.”
Could she trust him to tell her the truth about his injuries? He was intent on exchanging vows with her today. What if he was holding on by sheer force of stubbornness and determination?
Her eyes began to tear, and her chin wobbled.
He groaned. “Don’t cry, Queen Pea. I couldn’t bear it if you did.”
“Promise me, nothing else is broken.”
“I would be howling if it were,” he said, cupping her chin. “I promise you, I’m in the same mangled condition as I was before the rock was thrown. We’ll figure out who did this. Joshua’s already contacted Homer Barrow, the Bow Street runner who was so helpful to your cousins in Oxford and again to Holly when she was in danger. Anyway, I’ve been giving it thought, and I have my suspicions about the identity of the culprit.”
She stared at him, trying to remain sensible and not to melt in response to his touch. But his words startled her. “You do? Who do you think did this?”
“Wainscott.”
Was he speaking out of jealousy, or was there substance to the claim? “Why? What possible motive could he have?”
“Lady Alexandra and her parents live right next door. Or have you forgotten already?”
She blushed. “I had put it out of my mind. It merely... I wasn’t thinking of Gerald or them any longer.”
“I’m glad. But I suspect Alexandra’s father tore up their betrothal contract in front of Wainscott shortly before that rock came flying through this window. It is also likely Lord Balliwick threatened to have him shot if he ever came near his daughter again. Wainscott must have stormed out angrily.”
“But he’s already seduced a duke’s daughter if the gossip rags are to be believed. And when my sisters and cousins were fussing over me earlier in Heather’s room, my cousin, Honey, confirmed it was true.”
“Did she now?”
“Yes. Honey said that she saw Lady Withnall earlier today, and Lady Withnall confirmed Gerald was trying to worm his way into this duke’s family by seducing his daughter. He actually had this poor girl in a carriage on their way to Gretna Green, but the duke caught up to them in time and foiled his plans. Lady Withnall wouldn’t tell Honey who the poor girl was.”
Ronan began to laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“Queen Pea, you are making my head spin with all these details. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to put my breeches on for our wedding.”
Despite their situation, she couldn’t help but join him in a chuckle. “Must you? Am I complaining about you lying naked in this bed? I think you look perfect as you are.” She leaned closer, eager to learn more about why he thought her former beau was the culprit. “Why would Gerald ever bother with me? I’m the nobody he originally tossed over for Balliwick’s daughter.”
“You’re an angel, and he’s