Page 49 of The Scoundrel of Drury Lane
“Please sit.” Kit gently urged her into a chair, then retrieved a plate and went to the sideboard behind her to fill her plate with food.
“Forgive us for our boyish behavior just now. We wish to offer our sincere congratulations to you and Kit,” Lionel said to her.
“Oh? What f—” She stopped herself short, realizing it could only be one thing.
“I informed them this morning that you agreed to marry me,” Kit said as he placed a plate of food in front of her. It was far too much, but the smells wafting up were divine. Kit’s cook, Mrs. Swanson, prepared magnificent dinners, but it seemed she handled breakfast equally well. It momentarily distracted her from the thought of Kit’s announcement.
“I thought we might be married tomorrow morning. Does that suit you?” Kit asked her.
She pulled her focus away from the food, even though her stomach rumbled.
“Tomorrow?” The single word escaped her in a squeak. She’d guessed he might want to marry soon, but not that soon. She wasn’t even sure this was a good idea. She’d gotten carried away last night, swept up in the feeling of belonging that he created within her, but in the light of day, when she was thinking more clearly... Well, she half expected him to rethink his marriage proposal as well. She’d lived too many years with shimmering dreams being ripped away or suffering disappointments to trust anything wonderful, even marriage to Kit. She needed time to adjust to this entire idea, to see if it would even last.
Suzannah took in the expression on Kit’s face. His dark brows drew together, and he brushed away an errant lock of hair from his face, which made his usually harsh brow seem softer, sweeter.
He answered her softly. “I think it’s wise not to wait. You can be moved in here today, your belongings removed from that boardinghouse and—”
“Wait,” she interrupted. “My lord... Could we pleasediscussthis for a moment somewhere privately?”
The gentlemen around them were now studiously avoiding looking at her, all except for Warren, who was paying close attention to her and Kit whispering. Vincent jabbed him sharply in the ribs with an elbow so that he turned away as well.
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Come with me.” Kit led her out of the dining room and into a drawing room nearby and closed the door. He leaned back against it and folded his arms over his chest, waiting for her to speak.
“Why must we rush this?” she asked. “I’ve only just started to like you, my lord, as well as trust you, but are we not still strangers to each other?”
Kit pushed away from the door and came toward her. “Suzannah, please, you must call me Kit. I know the decision to marry may seem hasty, but it’s my wish to protect you. You’ve heard us speak of Walsh and Balfour, and they are dangerous men. I shudder to think what they would do to you once they learn that I’ve been seen with you. They’ll wonder what your father told you, and they’ll seek to silence you. I cannot let you be hurt... or worse. Not because of me. If you’re my wife, I’ll be able to properly protect you. If something happens to me... you’ll be taken care of legally and financially.”
“So... you only wish to marry me torescueme?” The revelation stung far deeper than she’d expected. “I don’t need to be rescued, Kit. I can leave London. I can vanish—”
“Vanish?” His brows formed dark slashes over his eyes. “That’s the very last thing I want you to do. Nor should you be expected to run when it istheywho should be running. What I want...” His voice trailed off, and with a frustrated growl he seized her roughly, pulling her to him so he could silence her protests with a kiss that scorched her soul.
She melted, unable to stay clearheaded when it came to this man’s kisses. He parted her lips with his tongue, and she delved and dueled with him, their mouths like a fire raging. He cupped the back of her head and fisted his hand in her hair, tugging on the strands. His possessive,animalneed to control her only made her burn hotter. She clung to Kit’s shoulders and struggled to get closer.
After a long moment they broke apart, their harsh breathing mixed as they still clung together.
“Marry me because youwantme... because weneedeach other. Forget Walsh and Balfour. This...” He feathered his lips over hers. “Thisis why we belong together. Don’t deny it.” He said the words with such earnestness that she truly did feel a connection to him, one that made very little sense, but it was real nonetheless, and she would not deny it.
“All right.” She trailed her fingertips over his burgundy waistcoat. “But answer me one thing.”
“Ask whatever you wish.”
“That ivory elephant on the windowsill in your room. Is that something you had before? After you left England?” She had so many questions, but that one came to her above all the rest.
A cloud fell over his countenance. “That was a gift from someone I met in Australia. An Englishman who let me work on his land in the last year I was serving my sentence. He was as close to a friend as I had while I lived there. He knew that I was innocent. He trusted me and paid me fairly so I could buy my way home. That elephant was to be a reminder of who betrayed me. Elephants have long memories. They travel hundreds of miles to visit the site where their kin died. They never forget, and neither will I.”
Kit lifted one of her hands up to his lips, kissing her knuckles with tenderness. “Does that answer your question?”
“Yes...” She bit her lip. “And what of Walsh and Balfour? Are you and your companions planning some scheme of revenge? What happens to me when that is done?” She wasn’t a fool. Kit must have had a plan, she was sure of that now, she just wondered what part she was to play in it.
He bit his lip, hesitating only a moment before he spoke. “Yes. We have set certain things in motion, and when the time is right, I will take away their wealth and their freedom, just as they did to me. When that is done, when it is safe... you and I shall be free of them.”
“Tell me I can trust you,” she begged softly. “Tell me that once this is done, we can try to find love in each other.”
His eyes glinted with tender humor. “I thought you already loved me?”
“Do not play with me, Kit. I need you to consider this seriously.” She smacked a fist against his chest, which made him laugh and pull her closer for a kiss to her temple.
“I am serious about this and about us,” he said. “More than you can imagine. I assure you that all will be well.”
