Page 49 of King of Rogues
He had only a handful of days left in which to secure a wife. Time was of the essence. But Naomi had to be walking into this marriage with open eyes. To understand how things were and decide if she could live with a man who had never known a life outside of crime.
“Over the past year, and especially since Harry and George both married, I have been slowly moving away from the less savory side of things. Trying to set my business dealings on a more honest footing. When Stephen took on a wife and family, it made me realize I had to make those changes at a faster rate. All of us agreed that Stephen’s brother Toby, shouldn’t be raised around criminal activities.”
If anyone had told him several years ago, that it would be a six-year-old boy who finally put paid to many of his dodgy dealings, Monsale would have laughed long and hard in their faces. But the innocent Toby Moore had compelled him to take stock of his life. To measure and assess his worth. He had found himself coming up well short. Unworthy of the Monsale title.
Reaching into his coat, he pulled out his pistol. Holding it by the end of the barrel he offered it to her. As soon as Naomi had taken it, he stuffed his hand into another pocket and withdrew a knife. She took that as well.
Harry had talked about the need for grand gestures, this was one of the most important of them. “I am laying my weapons aside. For you.”
Naomi cleared her throat. “What about the knife you have strapped to your ankle?”
Oh.
He reached down and unstrapped the knife. When she continued to hold his gaze, Monsale sighed. Naomi really did have the measure of him. Reluctantly, he produced a second pistol and yet another knife from the deep pockets of his coat. He lay them on the sand, next to his sword.
“I think this might be the first time since I was a small child that I haven’t had a weapon on my person. To tell you the truth I feel a little naked,” he said.
Naomi quirked an eyebrow at his remark. “It is possible for one to get about life without being armed to the teeth. I promise to protect you from any and all harm.”
He offered her his hand, intending that they head back to the castle. She shook her head. “Tell me what really happened with you and Lady Euphemia.”
“Nothing. The night I danced with her at the ball…” He flinched as Naomi reached out and punched him hard on the arm. “Ow. What was that for?”
“For dancing with another woman. You cad. You held me at bay all those years and yet, you tripped the light fantastic with her.”
If it weren’t for the edge of pain in her voice, he would have laughed. She was jealous over him dancing with Lady Euphemia, a woman he had never intended to marry.
But he understood her anger. He had hurt Naomi. Humiliated her in front of other people. His friends and her family were all well aware of her attraction to him. At the time he had simply been paying her back for her refusing to put her name on the list and hadn’t put much thought into what he was doing.
Avoiding the weapons, he moved, and knelt in front of Naomi. Taking her face in his hands, he leaned in close. “That was a selfish and thoughtless thing to do. I promise I will never knowingly hurt you ever again. And all my dances are now yours.”
He captured her mouth in a warm, tender kiss. Their lips and tongues now moving in a slow, familiar embrace. Kissing Naomi was fast becoming his favorite pastime.
“What is to happen now? I mean since the wedding is off, you are still in a bind,” asked Naomi when they finally broke the kiss.
Monsale was enjoying the simple pleasure of staring into Naomi’s greenish blue eyes. He had always had a particular appreciation of the sharp intelligence which sparkled in them. With their foreheads pressed together, he was more than happy for this moment to continue.
But she was right. A wedding was still in order.
“That wedding might well have bitten the dust, but no one says we cannot have a different one.”
He climbed to his feet, offering her his hand. “Come. Let you and I finally put all this other noise and nonsense behind us. Everyone else will be assembled at the castle, waiting for the marriage service. We shouldn’t disappoint them.”
A grinning Naomi placed her hand in his, and he helped her to stand. They were soon on their way back to Monsale Castle, the roses still cradled lovingly in her arms.
Monsale chanced a look back over his shoulder at the weapons he had left behind. The grand gesture having been delivered, there was no need to abandon them. He would send a servant back for them as soon as he got home.
Sharp weapons should never be left to go to waste.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The great hall of Monsale Castle was abuzz with activity and chatter. Servants were continually moving about, placing large pots and vases of roses all about the room. Pink silk curtains had been draped around the high windows. The proceedings for a wedding were continuing, and the mood was definitely romantic.
“I swear I saw Lord and Lady Marshall’s travel coach leaving earlier. And no one seems to know where Lady Euphemia is,” said Stephen.
Bridget, who was cradling baby Elizabeth Rose in her arms, Toby by her side, skimmed the room. “More importantly, where is Monsale? No bride. No groom. I have a horrible feeling that this wedding may not be going ahead.”
Her husband leaned in and placed a tender kiss on his wife’s cheek. He took a gurgling Elizabeth Rose from her and wrapped his daughter into the warmth of his jacket. Toby gave a friendly wave to the baby.
