Page 101 of Foolish Bride
She might lose her mother’s love, but at least she hadn’t done it all in vain if it meant something to Michael. Living her life as Mrs. Micheal Collins was all she’d ever wanted.
Mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she dabbed her cheeks. “I suppose you are right. You leave me no choice but to allow the marriage. I expect you will wait at least long enough to have the banns announced and a proper wedding arranged. I expect it would be best if the matter of your marriage to Roxton was kept quiet, but even if it gets out, you will be married to a duke, so no one will shun you for marrying so soon after being widowed.”
“I am hardly a widow, Mother. I do not consider the marriage to Roxton as valid.”
“Nor do I,” Michael said.
Virginia got up and faced them. “Be that as it may, others will talk, and you will be on the negative end of that talk.” She kissed her daughter on the cheek and did the same to Michael. “You have my blessing.”
Elinor let out the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, Mother.”
Virginia crossed to the door.
“What will you tell Father?” Elinor wouldn’t mind telling her himself, but she doubted she would get the chance.
Turing back, Virginia waved a hand. “I see no need to bother him with trivialities. After the wedding, I will inform him of the event. I am sure he will wish to give his felicitations at that time. Now I am going to rest. It has been a trying few days.”
“Of course, Mother. Shall I come and call you for luncheon, or shall we announce at dinner?”
She sighed. “Dinner will be soon enough. Have a tray sent to me at midday.”
Once the door had closed, Michael whirled her around the room, laughing. “My god, you are incredible.”
Elinor laughed as well. “Michael, put me down.”
He did as she asked, then kissed her hard on the lips.
She expected it to be a quick kiss, but his arms wrapped around her and his warmth filled her as the kiss deepened. She caressed his neck and shoulders. Tipping her head to one side, she accepted and joined the deepening kiss. She loved the rumble in his chest and the way his hands skimmed up and down her back.
He eased her away, his breath coming in short gasps. “If this continues, I will take you on the settee.”
“I do not think I would complain if you did.” Breathless herself, she longed for more of him.
His smile was the happiest she’d ever seen him. His eyes lit with it and reflected her own joy.
She was his in body and soon she would be his by law as well. The idea made her giddy.
“I have not truly appreciated you, Elinor. I am the luckiest man in all of England to have you love me. I will never make that mistake again. Losing you was terrible, but might have been the best thing that could have happened to an arrogant ass like me. How could I have been so stupid? I nearly ruined both of our lives by taking that last mission. Somehow, I thought I needed to prove one last time that I was the best in the field. My arrogance could have cost me everything. I am as bad as your father.”
“Not quite. Father has still not figured out his flaws. You have recovered brilliantly.” She was bursting with happiness.
Once again, he took her in his arms and crushed her until her ribs ached. His desperate hold continued and showed no signs of letting up.
“Michael, are you all right?”
“I am the luckiest fool alive.”
“Not such a fool. You came for me, and you came to your senses.”
Releasing her, his smile filled his face and her heart. “True. I cannot believe you said all of those things to your mother. She had unequivocally refused me before you entered. I even gave her the ‘but I am a duke’ argument. She was unimpressed and told me that while she appreciated all I had done in rescuing you, Middleton would make a much better match for you.”
Elinor’s heart ached. She had hurt her mother with an unwinnable argument and more truth than Virginia liked to hear. It would take her weeks to recover and dozens of lists.
“Is something wrong, my love?”
“I just wish it had not been necessary to say such harsh things to my mother in order to facilitate our marriage.”
“Elinor, do you believe your mother could have been swayed any other way?”
