Page 95 of Her Duke in Shining Armor
“She sees right through you, Oberton,” Mr. Wilcox laughed. “But anyway, let me give you the good news, the cutthroat finally opened up when he saw that his protector was not going to give him any aid and he fingered Wyndrake as the culprit. In addition to the signed confession you got from Mr. Mercer, Harding followed more leads and found many businesses that were being blackmailed by Wyndrake. Overall, he is going to be tried for conspiracy and murder.”
Aaron’s eyebrows darted up, “That is…somewhat assuring.”
“And more good news,” Lady Darcy beamed. “Because Julius helped you to get the Earl of Norwich back home and going after Wyndrake, he’s finally set to be the Superintendent! The appointment is two weeks from today!”
“That’s wonderful!” Eleanor’s hands crossed over her chest. “You certainly deserve it.”
Darcy was busy digging into her basket and produced the small round cakes with sticky melted sugar drizzled on top. “So…forgive me for being nosy, but have you set a wedding date yet?”
Eleanor and Aaron shared a look before she replied, “Not until this business with my father passes. It might take a while though and we’re not rushing anything.”
“And per our agreement,” Aaron picked at his bun, “we jumped over being friends first to lead to courtship. I think we have to dial back to that and then continue. I am not reneging on something so simple. I’ve already done a few stupid things, why add more?”
“Because you’re trying to prove a point and put something in the bank for the next stupid thing you might do, right?” Eleanor teased.
Aaron scowled, “Woman, will you please let me have some secrets?”
From the corner of her eye, Eleanor could see Lady Darcy’s hand pressed over her mouth, stifling her laugh. Mr. Wilcox’s grin was blatant.
“I think you two are off to a good start,” Lady Darcy chuckled.
“I hope so,” Eleanor agreed.
Humor lit Aaron’s face and his eyes were coolly verdant. She reached up and pressed the pads of two of her fingers into the small groove on his forehead. She temporarily forgot about Lady Darcy and Mr. Wilcox when Aaron took her hand and kissed the back of it.
God, she loved this man.
Her hand slipped from his and caressed the side of his jaw and felt the small beginnings of his beard there. “I love you.”
She had not planned the words, but they had come out anyway. Truthfully, she did love him but not once had she ever said it before. Aaron simply dipped his head and kissed her on the cheek.
It was the silence that brought them back from the loving bubble they had entered. Eleanor felt no shame about her admission and even drew closer to Aaron after.
“So, what day is your promotion, Wilcox?” Aaron asked casually.
“Tuesday,” Mr. Wilcox continued. “I hope to see you there.”
“There is nowhere else we would rather be,” Eleanor replied as she leaned on Aaron’s shoulder.
It so happened to be that the very date of her father’s verdict and hanging was the very Tuesday that Mr. Wilcox was being promoted. Eleanor had struggled with her decision to go see it but knew she would crumble seeing her father hang.
Her hat was down and her gloved fingers were clasped on her lap as they went over to the Wapping Headquarters to see Julius receive his well-earned promotion.
Aaron clasped her had in his. “It will be alright, Eleanor. I promise you. A year from now, you’ll be so much happier. You will not forget it, but it will not sting so much.”
“I know,” Eleanor sighed. “Just take my hand…”
She held out her hand and Aaron took it. “…and hold it forever.”
The End?
