by Heather Boyd
“A quiet life in the country and dinner conversation about fungus?”
Jessica sighed. “What could be better!”
He grinned. She did make him happy. She made him imagine a great future might be theirs if he was willing to set aside his fears. Jessica would know his character better than anyone, too.
He kissed the top of her head. “My angel, my torment, my heart.”
Unfortunately, the Duke of Stapleton chose that moment to stomp into the room.
He looked twice when he saw Gideon, and his eyes narrowed even farther when he spied Jessica cuddling up to him. The duke gathered himself up, but then lost his temper enough to shout, “What did I say about you being alone with him?”
Not to be outdone, Jessica set her lips into a mulish line as she sat up. “You and Gillian were alone every night before you ever dreamed of asking her to marry you.”
“Gillian was a widow. You are an innocent.”
Not quite so innocent anymore, and that was his fault for not doing things the right way from the beginning.
Jessica giggled. “He’s not going to ravish me in your drawing room!”
Gideon patted her hand before she got carried away in her defense of him and blurted out the truth. He certainly wouldn’t ravish her here, in her father’s home. He’d rather wait until they were at Quigley Hill again, where they could take their time. She would look very fine, naked and panting, spread over his leather settee or dining table, where he might feast upon her. “We can talk another time.”
“You mean when it fits with his grace’s schedule? No, I’m not going to wait another day and have him banish you all over again. He has to start sharing you; otherwise, I’ll be an old maid by the time he lets me have you!” Jessica kissed Gideon full on the lips. “It is my turn to convince him, Giddy.”
“Don’t go too far with this,” he warned, but he couldn’t hold back a smile. She really was something when she got worked up into a temper.
“I’ll go as far as I need to have you,” she warned.
She faced her father, and not for the first time did Gideon feel sorry that the duke was standing in her way. After eighteen years of Jessica managing her family, it was surprising the duke had the fortitude left to resist even this long.
“You are not being reasonable,” she told the duke.
“Do not talk back to me, daughter. I will lock you in your room if you don’t behave,” her father threatened.
“I thought you might say that.” She turned sad eyes on her father, and her bottom lip trembled. “Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“Of course I do.” But the duke suddenly sounded far less sure of himself.
Jessica turned to Gideon, and he saw tears in her eyes. Fake ones, he decided. “I’m going to be locked up, Giddy, and made very unhappy.”
Thank heavens he’d learned to understand her tricks years ago. “I expect so.”
“Will you elope with me?”
Gideon stood and tugged down his waistcoat. “We talked about this. I’d rather not start our marriage with a scandal.”
She leaned against him, worming her way into his arms, ignoring her father’s spluttering. “We may have no choice. I love you too much to let you go without a fight.”
Gideon brushed his fingers down her cheek. “I love you, too, but if he says we cannot marry, we will not.”
“Well, I’m in favor of creating a scandal,” she announced, and then flounced toward the door. “I’m going to pack,” she called at the top of her voice.
Gideon pinched the bridge of his nose. Every servant in Stapleton Manor should have heard that remark, or will have by nightfall.
The duke gaped after her. “Pack?”
“I swear I’m not taking her away from you,” Gideon promised as he sat down again.
When he looked up, Stapleton was scowling at him. “I’ve had it wrong all along, haven’t I? It’s not Jessica who needs protecting.” Stapleton’s eyes widened. “It’s you. From her.”
“I wouldn’t say I need protection,” Gideon murmured, but then winced. He didn’t mind Jessica’s habit of kissing him, but doing so in front of her father wasn’t good for Stapleton’s temper, obviously. Gideon cleared his throat. “You have to let Jessica go eventually.”
The duke brushed his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. “She did say she kissed you. I didn’t want to believe her at first. And then Rebecca warned she’d become secretive and could not be found after dinner. And then she told me this morning that…”
“Told you what?”
But the duke did not answer. He went for the brandy, pouring one glass, drinking it, and then pouring another. He did not offer Gideon one, and stood sipping the second, staring outside.
Gideon loosened his cravat a little, uncertain of what the duke would do and say next.
The duke suddenly moved, pouring brandy into another glass and carrying it over to Gideon. He thrust out the glass. “Drink that. As one newly married man to the next, you’ll need to keep your wits about you once you join your name and heart to a Westfall.”
He took the offered drink, deciding that was as much of a blessing as he would ever get. “When will the wedding be?”
The duke drained his glass. “A month. I’ll have the banns called tomorrow.”
Gideon grinned. “Thank you, your grace.”
“Don’t you dare thank me, don’t your grace me…or ever consider calling me Papa, either. You’re stealing my daughter, and she wants to be stolen.”
“As you prefer,” he murmured, finding the situation funny. “On the bright side, I will not be taking her very far away. I am sure you could still see her every day if you wish. May I see Jessica to tell her the news?”
Although the duke grumbled, he yanked on the bell and had a grinning servant fetch Jessica back. She danced into the room on her toes, right to his side, and kissed his cheek. “Have we convinced him or are we eloping?”
“Not eloping, but your behavior might have decided him in our favor.”
She turned away. “I really do want to marry him.”
Her father sighed. “Did you actually intend eloping if you couldn’t marry him?”
“I mentioned it was an option but Giddy, of course, refused immediately,” Jessica said, wincing. “He’s too proper for that, and he knew I’d want my family at our wedding. He’s been quite sensible and accommodating of all my requests so far. I think he will make an admirable husband, and a son-in-law to you.”
Her father raised his face to the heavens. “I’m not sure I’ll have the strength to do this again.”
Jessica laughed. “Poor Papa.”
Gideon tapped Jessica’s shoulder, bringing her attention back to him. When their eyes met, he felt a certainty about his place in the world, and at Jessica’s side. Gideon wouldn’t come between father and daughter. He didn’t have to, he already had found his place, though there was one thing left to say to make his decision to marry absolutely official.
He dropped to one knee there and then and took her tiny hand in his. “Lady Jessica Westfall. I would be honored for all the days of my life if you would accept my suit and consider me for your husband.”
The duke made an inarticulate sound and turned his back.
Jessica smiled down at him, tears shining in her eyes. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“There couldn’t be anyone but you.”
“I know. I would never allow anyone to come between us.” Jessica beamed and made to pull him up. “Of course I’m going to marry you. We belong together.”
Gideon rose to his feet quickly. He caressed her cheek, wiped away the tears that clung to her lashes, and then produced a ring from his pocket that held a small sapphire. He slipped it on her slender finger, finding it a perfect fit. “Darling, Jess.”
“This was your mother’s ring?”
He nodded. “She would have loved you.”
They kissed to seal their vow to each other, Jessica’s hand clutc
hed in his.
They drew back when the noise of the duke clearing his throat grew so loud it was distracting.
“All right!” the duke grumbled, wiping his face with a handkerchief.
Jessica looked at him in astonishment. “Were you crying too, Papa?”
“Of course not. Damn dusty in here,” Stapleton grumbled, and made a show of blowing his nose. “Have to speak to the housekeeper about it.”
Gideon hid a grin. He wasn’t deceived one bit. “Then what did you mean by your outburst?”
“I’ll arrange for a special license so you can marry sooner, just stop doing that while I’m in the room.”
Jessica wrapped Gideon’s arms around her. “You proposed to Gillian in front of a witness. Mrs. Hawthorne said you were terribly romantic. What is so wrong about being affectionate with the one you love?”
Too many things to name right now. Her father may have approved the marriage, but it might be a long time before he was comfortable with it. “Are you sure you should be baiting him still?”
“Quite sure.” Jessica grinned. “I ignored quite a bit because I saw how happy Gillian made him when they were together.”
“We encouraged them, love,” Gideon whispered in her ear, making her shiver. “There is a difference.”
“I knew I should have kept you two apart after last winter,” the duke grumbled again. “How long has this thing been going on under my nose?”
Gideon straightened. He couldn’t remember a time when Jessica’s happiness hadn’t meant more to him than his own. There was no date when he’d fallen in love with her. He just was. “I should like to start lying to you now, if you don’t mind.”
Jessica giggled when her father gaped. She kissed Gideon one more time before she rushed from the room, saying, “I have to tell Gillian and Rebecca the happy news!”
There was a vast silence after her departure then the duke turned to him. “What other requests has my daughter made of you,” he demanded, glass half raised to his lips.
“I think the less you know, the easier you’ll sleep at night,” Gideon murmured.
When the duke opened his mouth and closed it again, Gideon took a sip of his drink. The poor man seemed to be reeling still. In time, he’d accept his daughter had grown up. Jessica had grown into a bold and passionate woman. He liked everything about her. He was looking forward to the future in a way he never had before.
The duke cleared his throat and Gideon glanced his way again. The duke was grinning widely and then winked. “Forgive me. Refusing you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I had to be sure.”
Gideon’s brows lifted. “You were testing me?”
The duke nodded. “Her resolve more than yours. We’ve only been back a week and you had both seemed disinclined to tie the knot until now. But you were right about her all along. When she made up her mind about a husband, she didn’t waste any time claiming you for herself and quite vocally, too.”
Gideon grinned. “She had the talk from seven different people, you know. So many bad ideas put into her head,” he warned.
“I see.” The duke dug his finger under his cravat and tugged. “You know, if we are going to remain on good terms, you will have to lie to me. There is only so much I need to know about your relationship with my daughter. Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” Gideon hid a grin as he added, “Father.”
The duke’s shocked expression was utterly priceless. “Not that, either. You can address me as you’ve always done. Nicolas will do when we are alone.”
And that was fine with Gideon.
* * *
The End
The Saints and Sinners Series
The Duke and I
The Duke of Stapleton abhors Christmas nonsense, but could a kiss exchanged under mistletoe alter his opinion of the season?
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A Gentleman’s Vow
To protect Lady Jessica Westfall from an unwanted pursuit, Gideon Whitfield will risk anything, including his lifelong bachelorhood…and his heart.
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New in 2019…
An Earl of Her Own
Marriage is about finding that special someone to annoy for the rest of your life.
More Regency Romance From Heather Boyd…
Distinguished Rogues Series
Book 1: Chills
Book 2: Broken
Book 3: Charity
Book 4: An Accidental Affair
Book 5: Keepsake
Book 6: An Improper Proposal
Book 7: Reason to Wed
Book 8: The Trouble with Love
Book 9: Married by Moonlight
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Wild Randalls Series
Book 1: Engaging the Enemy
Book 2: Forsaking the Prize
Book 3: Guarding the Spoils
Book 4: Hunting the Hero
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Rebel Hearts Series
Book 1: The Wedding Affair
Book 2: An Affair of Honor
Book 3: The Christmas Affair
Book 4: An Affair so Right
See the full book list…
About Heather Boyd
Determined to escape the Aussie sun on a scorching camping holiday, Heather picked up a pen and notebook from a corner store and started writing her very first novel—Chills. Years later, she is the author of over thirty romances and publisher of several anthologies too. Addicted to all things tech (never again will Heather write a novel longhand) and fascinated by English society of the early 1800’s, Heather spends her days getting her characters in and out of trouble and into bed together (if they make it that far). She lives on the edge of beautiful Lake Macquarie, Australia with her trio of mischievous rogues (husband and two sons) along with one rescued cat whose only interest in her career is that it provides him with food on demand.
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You can find details of her work at
www.heather-boyd.com
Join Heather’s New Release List.
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