A Scandalous Bargain (The Pretenders #2) - Darcy Burke Page 0,94
present, including Rafe and Harry’s brother, the Viscount Northwood. But Beatrix scarcely noticed anyone but Tom. They’d been seated side by side at dinner, of course, and had spent the course of the meal furtively touching each other under the table.
Now, in the drawing room, Thomas addressed everyone with Beatrix by his side. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner this evening. While you are no doubt already aware, I wanted to formally announce the betrothal of myself and Miss Beatrix Whitford. She has made me the happiest man alive.”
“Not possible,” Harry said, grinning from across the room, his arm around Selina, who elbowed him gently.
Thomas laughed. “Very well. I know this betrothal will spur a tidal wave of gossip given the abbreviated length of my mourning period, but as my Aunt Charity has assured me—I will be forgiven since I’m a man with a small child.” He glanced toward his aunt, who’d also joined them for dinner.
“Because you are clearly in desperate need of a wife,” North cracked.
“As it happens, I am.” Thomas looked down at Beatrix. “I’m desperately in need of this wife.”
Beatrix felt her heart would burst. She could not wait to get him alone and hoped that might be possible later.
“Because of that,” Thomas said, addressing the room once more, “I will be obtaining a special license tomorrow so that we may be wed on Saturday. Perhaps that will give the gossips something else to talk about it.” He winked at Beatrix, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Let them talk about anything they wish,” she said.
“My goodness, that is quick,” Lady Aylesbury said. “How can we plan a proper wedding breakfast?”
“I would prefer something small—just those who are present, in fact. And my daughter, of course. The wedding will take place at my house as well,” he said.
He and Beatrix had discussed this on the way to dinner. She’d ridden to Tom’s house with Selina and Harry. They’d all then walked the short distance to Aylesbury House on Mount Street.
“That sounds lovely,” Harry’s sister Rachel said. “So many weddings.” She looked at their brother North, her brow arched. “I think it must be your turn.”
North’s eyes rounded in horror. “Not me. Him.” He jabbed his thumb toward Rafe, who stood to his left.
Rafe simply shook his head, then sipped his port.
At Selina’s suggestion, Beatrix wanted to ask Rafe if he would give her away. She was a bit nervous about it, but Selina had assured her he would be delighted. Even so, Selina had agreed to support her when she asked.
As conversation started around the room, she decided now was as good a time as any. She exchanged a look with Selina who nodded. Beatrix then turned to Tom. “Will you excuse me a moment? I need to speak with Rafe.”
“Of course.” Tom knew what she meant to ask, for they’d discussed that as well.
Beatrix met Selina near Rafe, then they pulled him into the corner.
“This looks serious,” Rafe quipped.
“Not terribly,” Beatrix said. “I have a request, and I hope you won’t think it too forward since we haven’t known each other very long. It’s just that, well, I find myself without a father or a brother.”
“Not true,” Selina said. “You have a brother. He’s standing right there.” She looked at Rafe expectantly.
“Yes, you do,” he assured her. “What do you need?”
“Someone to give me away at the wedding. Would you mind?”
Rafe was silent a moment, his vivid blue eyes settling on her and that orange mark in the right one giving him an added intensity. “It would be my honor,” he said softly.
Beatrix relaxed. “Oh, thank you.”
He arched a brow at her. “You didn’t really think I’d say no?”
“I told her you wouldn’t,” Selina said.
“I take nothing for granted,” Beatrix said in her defense.
“That is an excellent outlook.” Rafe pulled a folded piece of parchment from his coat. “I’m glad to have a moment to speak with both of you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that folly I remembered the other day. I drew a picture of it.” He opened the parchment one-handed and showed it to them.
Selina took the drawing and held it for Beatrix to study it along with her.
The illustration was incredibly detailed. It showed a small, templelike building with a statue of a woman in the middle. There were fish and other water creatures around the base.
“This is astonishing,” Beatrix said. “I’d no idea you were a skilled artist.”
Rafe snorted softly. “I wouldn’t say that I’m skilled.”