A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,93
as she looked up at him. “I love you too.” She turned her head back toward the duke. “So, if you wouldn’t mind, let’s just pretend what you said outside is the truth—I’m the daughter of an old friend. But it can’t be my mother since I share her with my siblings.”
The duke frowned in distaste. “Rest assured, I will say as little as possible.”
“I must confess, I’m rather confused by you, Ramsgate,” Harry said. “You were willing to let Beatrix keep her mother’s jewels, and yet you want nothing to do with her.”
“Actually, it makes perfect sense,” Beatrix said. “It’s much easier for him to make a transaction. He gives me the jewels in exchange for my leaving him alone.”
Harry gave his head a shake. “How…sad.”
Beatrix straightened, and Thomas dropped his hand to her back. She pulled a fistful of emeralds out of her pocket and held them out in her palm. “If you’d like to fetch my mother’s jewels, I can give you these in exchange.”
“Keep them.” He went to the door and called for his butler. They spoke quietly in the doorway for a moment.
Ramsgate returned. “They’ll be down in a moment. I will hope our business is now concluded.”
“Completely,” Beatrix said. “Thank you. Without you, I never would have met Tom.” She slid her arm around his waist.
“And I never would have met Beatrix. Yes, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.” Thomas bowed.
“To be clear, I do not want to attend your wedding.”
“Nor will you be invited,” Thomas said with glee.
Ramsgate took a long look at Beatrix, appraising her quite intently. “You do look like your mother. She’d be happy to know you are to be a viscountess.” He straightened, running his hand down his coat, over his paunch. “I wish you both well.”
Then he left.
A moment later, the butler entered. He handed Beatrix the purple velvet box. She clasped it reverently, her gaze soft as she regarded the treasure.
“May I see you out?” the butler asked with more than a touch of hostility.
Beatrix gave him a sickly sweet smile. “Please.”
Thomas escorted her downstairs, and Harry followed. Outside, Thomas was glad to see the crowd had dissipated. A few people stood in the square watching. He quickly ushered Beatrix toward his house.
“Ah, my horse,” Harry said, drawing Thomas to stop and turn. “I see one of your grooms has him.” He nodded toward where one of Thomas’s stable lads was tending him.
“I should probably go,” Beatrix said, taking her arm from Thomas.
Thomas didn’t want that, but for those still watching, they would see her going into his house unchaperoned. “I’ve never hated rules more than right now.”
She laughed. “Before I go, my answer is yes.”
He hadn’t realized that she didn’t give him an answer. So much had happened in the last half hour. He was free. No, not free. He was tangled hopelessly and helplessly with this woman before him, and he didn’t want to be any other way.
“I could kiss you.”
“But you won’t because you’re far too proper.” She grinned. “Why don’t you come for dinner?”
“Ah, Beatrix?” Harry interrupted. “It’s Thursday.”
They typically had dinner at Aylesbury House with Harry’s family on Thursdays. She turned her head toward him. “Are we going tonight? I thought you were on a honeymoon.”
Harry shrugged. “Selina and I decided this morning that we would go. She likes my family, what can I say?” He inclined his head toward Thomas. “Why don’t you come too? Since you’re going to be part of the family soon.”
“Thank you, I will.”
“See you later,” Beatrix started to go, but Thomas stopped her.
He snagged her hand and brought it to his lips. “Regan will be delighted to know you will be her mother. She’s been asking when you will return.”
“Oh, Tom.” Her eyes flashed first with apprehension, and then with hope. “Can I really be her mother?”
“I have no doubt you will be wonderful.” Thomas knew in that moment that he’d made the right decision—the best decision of his life. “I meant what I said to the duke,” he said softly. “I know precisely who you are, and I want every part of you.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me.” She blew him a kiss and then joined Harry as he walked his horse toward Cavendish Square.
Thomas watched them until they were gone from sight. Then he turned and strode inside, wondering how difficult it would be to obtain a special license.
Following dinner at Aylesbury house, the extended family gathered in the library. Everyone was