Page 104 of Lady Gambit
“Why would he not want to see you? You’re beautiful in every way. You’re intelligent and funny and kind.”
She kissed him, the salty evidence of her tears on her lips. “You’re biased. No one has ever loved me like you do.”
“Marry me.”
“In a heartbeat.”
“You may want to take time to consider my proposal. Someone I love madly once told me marriage was worse than death.” She’d been quite adamant during their first meeting in Miss Darrow’s yard.
“I didn’t know a love like this was possible. Besides, you said you’d prefer a swift death to a life spent shackled to a woman.”
“You’re no ordinary woman.”
“No, I have a host of aliases.”
“Soon, you’ll be Mrs Flynn. Yet one name encompasses them all. I’m sure everyone who knows you would agree.” He thought of the monikers her brothers used. He’d never been a gambling man, but luck was on his side the day they met. “You taught me the true meaning of love, Delphine. You’re the Queen of Hearts. The undisputed ruler of mine.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mile End Manor
Walworth
They were married five days later by special license in St Peter’s Church in Walworth near Mile End. Miss Darrow graciously lent her a stunning ivory silk dress featuring a two-tiered skirt and ruche sleeves, a style fashionable in Paris.
The guests congregated in the front pews, although Aaron did his utmost to avoid looking at Miss Lovelace. Miss Darrow sat beside Theo, playfully nudging him twice in the ribs during the ceremony.
The Earl of Retford entered the church late and slipped silently into a back pew. He left when the vicar proclaimed them husband and wife and warnedthose whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.
Mrs James looked as proud as a peacock when they returned to Mile End for the wedding breakfast. “Everything changed the moment you walked through the door, ma’am. I knew from the way the master looked at you he was smitten.”
Dorian’s hand came to rest on Delphine’s back. “I was smitten when she insisted a dislike of mussels might help me solve the case, Mrs James.” He pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “And when you slipped your tongue over mine while your brother slept twenty feet away.”
Delphine gently nudged him to be quiet. “When I saw him, I knew we were destined to be more than friends.”
She had spent many lonely hours conjuring an image of her future husband. Now she knew he was tall and broad, with a smile that would melt any woman’s heart.
Indeed, she was still staring at Dorian when the guests gathered in the drawing room to converse and drink champagne. Mrs Maloney's remark must have been amusing because Dorian shook his head and erupted into laughter.
Heavens! He was so handsome. He looked so happy and carefree. And to think she would wake to his sinful grin each morning.
Everyone seemed to be avoiding talk of Mrs Maloney’s male companion. Keen to protect the woman dear to all their hearts, Aramis had drawn the elderly gentleman into a quiet corner of the room to speak privately. Perhaps Mrs Maloney’s love interest was hoping for a proper introduction because he glanced at Delphine three times during the conversation.
“Delphine?” Miss Darrow cleared her throat and tapped Delphine’s arm to get her attention. “Are you well? I called you so many times I feared you were still in the mesmerist’s trance.”
“Forgive me. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear you.” In truth, she couldn’t wait until all the guests had left so she could meet Dorian in the orangery for a romantic rendezvous.
Miss Darrow smiled. “You had the same faraway look in your eyes the first time you saw Mr Flynn.”
“I did?” So much had happened since then. “Perhaps our meeting was fated. Some things are written in the stars. Howstrange Theo accompanied me that day, and you were on hand to nurse him.”
Miss Darrow grumbled under her breath. “Trust me. There is nothing fated about our meeting. If Theodore Chance is the King of Hearts, all maidens are doomed.”
“I’ve always found his playful manner endearing.”
Miss Darrow’s grimace said she disagreed. “By any chance, have you come across my wooden sewing box?” She gripped her sherry glass between firm fingers, probably wishing the stem was Theo’s neck. “While I’m at Mile End, would you mind if I searched upstairs? It may have slipped behind the bed.”
As mistress of the house, Delphine was happy to oblige her. “Of course not. You should ask Theo for help. He may remember where you left it. I presume the box holds some sentimental value.”
