Page 66 of Long Live the Baron
When Briggs was done, Brendan allowed everyone to leave, indicating to Michaels to stay behind. They stood at the window, Brendan with hands clasped behind his back as he watched a carriage passing on the street outside.
“I am very grateful for what you did for my wife. For me. I would be more than willing to provide you with a generous pension, Michaels.”
The butler stiffened. “Do you want rid of me, milord?”
“Of course not. I thought perhaps you might enjoy retirement. I could provide you with a cottage in Somerset, if you wished.”
Michaels scowled. “I am not ready to stumble into my old age. Ridley House is finally coming back to life, and I would very much like to oversee its new era.”
Brendan thought for a moment. “Very well. I will have your wages increased, and have a formal arrangement set in place with my solicitors for the cottage and pension when you feel the time is right.”
“Thank you, milord.” Bowing, the butler departed.
* * *
It had disappointedLily to look up and find Brendan was gone. She still felt a bit woolly in the head since Wesley had collapsed on her—for just a second when she had felt his weight bearing down on her, she thought he had decided to kill her, and her life had flashed before her eyes. Or rather, the life she had hoped she might have.
Chattering with her family, Sophia’s arm about her waist, Lily slowly oriented back to normal, but her mind was on the thoughts that had raced through her head. Regardless of Brendan’s feelings for her, she wanted to inform him what was in her own heart. To live every moment of every day free of regrets.
When the men returned, everyone agreed to meet for dinner. Halmesbury offered to host it at their home, which Lily was grateful for. The duke’s townhouse was more prepared for a large family dinner than Ridley House, notwithstanding that two men had now been killed on the premises.
Brendan and Lily escorted everyone down to the entry hall, waving goodbye as their carriages collected them in turn. Finally, they were left standing alone with Michaels.
Brendan grabbed his wife by the hand, coaxing her to the stairs. “Come with me.”
She hurried behind him as he climbed, noticing how mindful he was to adjust his stride for her much shorter legs. Soon they were striding down the hall to her bedroom, Lily almost jogging beside him to keep up, but he did not slow down then. Reaching her door, he twisted the handle to fling the door open.
Inside, a maid shrieked with fright, almost dropping the oil lamp she was filling. Thankfully, she caught it up and put it back down on the short chest next to the bed.
Lily suppressed her impatience at yet another interruption. She wanted to be alone with Brendan in the worst way, but hanging about downstairs was a rather morbid prospect, given the circumstances.
“Could you leave us, Beth?” Despite his polite warmth, Brendan sounded a tad stilted to her ears. Clearly, he was as impatient to be alone with her as she was to be with him.
“Yes, milord.” Beth gathered her things and quickly crossed the room to pass them into the hall. Hesitating as she reached them, the buxom maid halted. Beth was the one who had been helping Lily until her new lady’s maid took up her post.
“It is true, milord? About Mr. Michaels shooting Wesley?”
“I am afraid it is. It has been a dark day.”
The maid nodded. “I am glad that her ladyship is unharmed.”
“Thank you, Beth. We both appreciate that.”
Lily nodded in fervent agreement. She was thrilled to be unharmed, even if she still felt some distress over Wesley’s fate. Had his previous kindness been feigned, or had he been a decent man who succumbed to temptation? They would never know, she supposed.
Finally, Brendan closed the door, still clasping her hand in his. Escorting her across the room, his hands came up to brace against her waist and he lifted her effortlessly to sit on her bed. Even as she sat perched on the edge of her incredibly tall mattress, he still towered above her as he took her hand up once more to gaze down at her. In the afternoon light, his eyes glimmered, and the flecks of gold buried in their brown depths fascinated her once again. They truly were the rich amber-brown of a fine brandy poured into a crystal-cut glass. Brendan appeared to be as fascinated in return, staring deep into her soul.
“I choose you.”
“I love you.”
They had both spoken at the same time. Now they both stared at each other in startled awe.
“You love me?” Brendan finally broke their impasse.
“You choose me?” Lily breathed in wonderment.
Again, they found themselves in a deadlock, both having shot their questions out at the same moment.
