Page 46 of The Scoundrel of Drury Lane
My future wife...He rolled the words over in his mind and found he liked the sound of them. Yes, they would marry quickly. He needed her to live here under his roof with as little scandal as possible. He didn’t care about such things himself—how could he?—but he would not let Suzannah suffer if he could help it, to be slighted by rumors of her sharing his home and bed before marriage. As soon as time would allow, he and Darius would visit the Doctors’ Commons for a special marriage license. With such a license, they could be married in a day or two.
He shifted to sit up, then leaned over and kissed Suzannah’s temple before he slipped out of bed. She let out a soft sigh and rolled over, seeking his warmth, her hand exploring the empty pillow before she settled back into sleep. Something fragile and warm fluttered in his chest as he watched her, knowing she missed him even in sleep. He’d never thought he’d ever want anyone to need him, but knowing that Suzannah needed him soothed him in a way he’d never imagined.
Kit rang the bell for his valet and stepped into his dressing room. Nolan met him a few minutes later with clean clothes and helped him dress.
“How is young Henry?” he asked the valet. He was careful to keep his voice down.
“His leg pains him, but the doctor seems to have done a fine job of resetting the bone, and it will heal. I broke my leg as a boy when I was not much older than Henry. The challenge will be keeping the lad in bed long enough to let the bone mend before he puts too much weight on it.”
“We’ll find a way, even if we must tie him down,” Kit said, half joking. “Would you have Palmer inquire whether a local dressmaker might visit my home?”
“A dressmaker, sir?”
“Yes, Miss Townsend agreed to marry me last night. She shall need a new wardrobe if she’s to be a proper countess.”
The valet beamed. “I’ll see it done, my lord, and I hope I am the first to offer you congratulations.”
“Thank you, Nolan.” Kit patted the valet’s shoulder. “Tell Palmer I shall be down directly.”
Suzannah was still asleep when he went downstairs to the dining room. He couldn’t shake off the warm, contented feeling he’d had at the sight of her in his bed, and for that he was glad. When he entered the dining room, he saw Darius reading theMorning Postat the table while sipping a cup of tea.
Darius lowered his paper. “Good morning,” he said with a bemused smile.
“Did you sleep here?” Kit asked. He couldn’t begin to imagine how the devil his friend had already arrived here, dressed and reading the paper at his dining room table. Had Darius even slept at all?
“What? No,” his friend chuckled. “I returned home after you tended to the driver. The others will be along shortly, so I thought I would arrive here first.”
Kit took a seat close to Darius. “Is there news?”
“Yes, looking into Balfour’s old cases has borne some fruit. Felix sent me a message last evening, which I forgot to tell you in the midst of last night’s excitement.” He closed his paper and set it aside on the table. “Speaking of which, how did last night go?”
For the first time in seven years, Kit felt a flicker of his old self—the playful, lighthearted young buck—come to the surface.
“As to how last night went, you can congratulate me.”
“Oh?” Darius’s blue eyes burned with curiosity. “On what?”
“On my upcoming marriage.”
Darius broke into a grin. “Congratulations. Thatiswonderful news.”
A footman came and poured Kit a cup of tea, which he drank gratefully, and then he leaned back in his seat. His smile slipped a little.
Darius noticed. “You aren’t happy?”
“I am...,” Kit admitted. “That’s what confuses me. I’m content for the first time in years, yet Iamworried.” He toyed with his cup and saucer.
“Worried about what?”
“I fear what Balfour and Walsh may try to do. What if I cannot keep Suzannah safe from them? Revenge has filled me for so long that I fear I may never learn to be content without it. What if I lose her because of it—?”
“Kit, a man must fight every day to keep his happiness. After your future wife is safe, we will help show you how. I think it would be wise to have one of us with Suzannah whenever you cannot be with her.”
“I agree. I have a feeling she will insist on finishing her work on the sets for the play, and I do not wish to be the sort of man who denies her the activities that give her joy, but she shouldn’t be alone. Especially not there.” He understood probably better than Suzannah could ever know what the bond of camaraderie felt like. The people who worked with her at the playhouse were friends, companions, confidants, and they needed her the way she needed them. He wouldn’t deprive her of such an important connection. Everyone deserved to feel like they belonged somewhere.
Palmer opened the door to the dining room, allowing Vincent and Lionel into the room. Trailing closely behind were Warren and Felix.
“Excellent, everyone is here,” Darius said.
