much too quiet, and my sealing wax has been left most dreadfully intact.”
She tilted her head just enough so that it rested against his cheek. “Who wouldn’t miss those things?”
A short laugh escaped his chest. She never said what he thought she would.
The music ended despite his desire to hold onto her still. Anthony held his arm out to escort her back to her mother. They were nearly across the room when Harrington called for everyone’s attention.
“Everyone, thank you for coming.” The Duke of Harrington’s voice carried well throughout the crowded room. Everyone quieted. Patience came closer to Anthony. She leaned in toward his ear, but her eyes were on her brother. “He looks like a duke, doesn’t he?”
It was a strange thing to say. Her brother was a duke, and frankly, Anthony was having a hard time concentrating on what His Grace was saying at all. If he could just take her hand and pull her away from prying eyes, he would show her exactly how much he had missed her.
“I have some exciting news to announce,” Harrington spoke loudly. “Many of you know that I served under General Woodsworth for a period of two years. In many ways, those were the best two years of my life. In many more ways, they were probably the worst.” There was a murmur of laughter, and the men who had arrived in uniform nodded. “What some of you may not know is that for the past twenty-five years, first my father and then I have been presenting General Woodsworth’s name in Parliament in hopes that he would join the House of Lords and accept a peerage. If you have ever wondered how long it takes for Parliament to make a decision and buy sufficient land, well, now you know: twenty-five years. General Woodsworth, I am proud to announce that at the next assembly, your name will be put forth as a peer. If you would kindly show your face that day, my father’s and my work will not have been in vain.”
Anthony turned to Patience. Had he heard right?
Her hand reached for his. “Did you know this would happen tonight?” Patience asked.
“No.”
“General Woodsworth, will you please come here?” the Duke of Harrington asked. The crowd opened up, and Father marched to where Harrington was standing.
Harrington clapped Father on the back and turned him out toward the crush of people working their way toward them. “May I present to you, Thomas Woodsworth, soon to be Marquess of Woodbury, Earl of Ottersby, Viscount Harborough, and Baron Ottersby. Thank you for your service.”
Father was to be a marquess. In a matter of moments, everything had become a lot easier.
He turned to Patience. “Do you still have that list?”
“The one you made for me?” Patience asked. “Of course I still have it.”
“I would like to add one more name. He is only a mister, but in a few short weeks, he will be the son of a marquess. I happen to know he is quite serious, kind, and has no debt.”
She put a finger to the edge of her mouth and cocked her head to one side. “A marquess is all right, I suppose. Last week I did have the son of a duke show some interest in me, and I am used to living extravagantly.”
He could tell by the tip of her head that she was teasing him. Teasing. Who would have thought being made fun of was exactly what had been lacking in his life? “Which duke? And which son? I don’t believe I had anyone like that on your list. He must not be acceptable.”
“He did seem quite serious.”
“No one is as serious as I. Next I see you, which had better be much sooner than three months, I want you to bring that list with you, and I will make adjustments.”
“No one on that list is acceptable. I met them all. They were missing one key element you didn’t even bother to put on the list.”
“What was that?”
“They weren’t you.”
How had he ever thought he could live without her? “So I may add a future Lord Ottersby onto that list?”
“Ottersby.” Patience shook her head. “That was Nicholas’s doing.”
“Do you dislike the name?”
“The name doesn’t matter. Your position in life doesn’t matter.” Patience dropped his fingers and ran her hand up his forearm until it reached the crook of his elbow. She leaned in conspiratorially. “However, this does mean we can skip through steps six through eighteen of most of your plans.”
He