Page 61 of Romancing the Rifleman
She had made noises about heading out that afternoon to start looking at townhouses.He should send her a note.It seemed they wouldn’t be renting in London after all, but in…
“Where will the training take place, sir?”Harrington asked.
“Ireland.Bandon, to be specific.It’s a little town in County Cork.”
“Bandon.Very good.”A quiet Irish town was quite the departure from the busy whirl of London.He wondered if Diana would be willing to make the change.“When do I depart?”
Gordon laughed.“That’s why I’m so glad I ran into you on the stairs.I’d heard Windham had sent you on some errand or the other.I was worried you wouldn’t make it back in time, but here you are.”
Harrington tilted his head.“Will I be leaving soon, then?”
“At high tide.”The general stood.“Go and pack your trunk, Lieutenant.You’ll be sailing for Ireland tonight.”
Chapter32
Harrington’s first stop was Latimer House.
The long-time family butler, Ellery, greeted him warmly but informed him that Diana was out.
“Do you know where she went?”Harrington asked.
“She said something about going to look at townhouses.”Ellery frowned, noticing Harrington’s drawn expression.“Is anything the matter, Lieutenant?”
“Yes.No.”He cleared his throat.“It’s nothing bad, but I do need to speak with her with some urgency.”
“Of course.She did not mention any specifics to me, but I will ask Lady Griselda and?—”
“Astley.”The sound of crisp footfalls echoed on the marble tiles as Marcus Latimer strode into the entry hall.“Good.You’re here.”
Harrington gave a nervous laugh.“I’m fairly certain those words have never before crossed your lips.”
The duke placed a hand on his shoulder, steering him toward the grand staircase.“Come.You can sign the annulment papers.”
Harrington jerked out of his grasp.He should have fucking known.“Now see here, Trevissick.I spoke with Diana last night?—”
“Last night?”The duke’s eyes narrowed.“What were you two doinglast night?”
Harrington dropped his voice to a hiss.“I kept my vow.A vow you should never have asked me to make.I won’t have you impugning my honor.”
Trevissick raised a haughty brow.“Then there should be no impediment to having the marriage annulled.”
“We don’t want to have the marriage annulled.Neither of us do.We want to make a proper go of it.”
The duke’s nostrils curled as if he had smelled something particularly foul.“No doubt you did not read the papers you signed prior to the ceremony.Diana’s fortune will remain in her own name.You cannot touch it.”
“Of course, I read them,” Harrington snapped.He was hardly going to make the mistake of signing something without reading it again.“I don’t care about her fortune.Iwantit to stay in her name.I would never want her to think, even for a second, that I married her for her money.And, in my line of work, I could get shot next month.I want her to be provided for!”
“Well,” the duke said tightly, “it happens that Diana has not signed the papers yet.If you’re so confident that she wants to remain married to you, why should you hesitate?”
Harrington rolled his eyes.“I don’t have time for this.I just received word that I’m being sent to Ireland?—”
“Ireland?”Lady Griselda asked, entering the room.
“That’s correct,” Harrington confirmed.“A town called Bandon, in County Cork.I’m going to be performing some training with the King’s German Legion.”
Lady Griselda smiled broadly.“Diana will love Ireland.She is so sick of London.”She held up a finger.“Wait right there.I have something for you.”
Trevissick grabbed him by the sleeve of his jacket and tried to drag him toward the stairs.“Come.This will only take a moment.”
