Page 17 of Yours Truly, the Duke
Her eyes softened and her shoulders relaxed. “I’d like for my barrister, Mr. Franwipple, to be here to represent the children’s interest and make sure all necessary papers are in order and to authenticate them. He’s been kind enough to handle everything a solicitor would as well as his duties as barrister before Chancery.”
More tension settled in the back of his neck and between his shoulders. She was making it clear she didn’t trust him an inch to keep his word.
“I think that’s wise,” Wyatt offered pliantly. “We’ll handle legal matters when we arrive in London tomorrow, and then we can be set for the ceremony on Friday. I’ll send a message to Mr. Franwipple asking that he make himself available to you for the entire day.”
Her hands clasped in front of her again. A little line formed in her brow and she pursed her lips in concern. He already knew her well enough that the gesture worried him. What else did she have in mind?
“I assumed if we were to wed, it would be here.”
“At Paddleton?”
“Yes.” Her eyes remained calm and steady. “Or we could go to the church in the village if you’d prefer. I would hate to upset the children with a long journey into London and for such a short time. Is there any reason we couldn’t call on the vicar to come to the house?”
“No. None at all. In fact, I agree with you that it would be best we marry here.” That way he wouldn’t have to explain to anyone why they weren’t invited to attend the happy occasion. “I’ll dispatch an urgent request for Franwipple to come to Paddleton without delay.”
“There’s one more thing.”
“Only one?” he asked with a comfortable smile, and was rewarded with a faint smile of amusement from her. It caused a tightening in his lower stomach.
“I will require an allowance, as there are things I’d need in order to—”
“Please, Miss Hale,” he said, interrupting her. “You needn’t make that a condition to accepting my proposal. You will be my wife, my duchess, and receive all the rewards the title entails. Which will include a generous allowance you can draw from anytime you wish, for whatever you wish. I will also have an irrevocable trust arranged for you. If anything unfortunate should ever happen to me, you will be provided for. I wouldn’t trust my cousin, who would be the next duke, to do so fairly. I’ll have accounts set up for you at every shop in the village and wherever you would like in London.”
Expectancy lit in her face. It made him feel good to know he’d finally said something she approved of.
“That would be kind of you.”
The corners of Wyatt’s mouth tightened again, and he bit back a grimace. He would demand it for her or anyone he married. Providing for her wasn’t a favor. It was expected of him to give her everything she wanted. Whether or not that made her happy was up to her. Damnation, her happiness couldn’t depend on him. He would fail miserably at it just as his father had.
She could get under his skin faster than anyone he’d ever known. But he would continue to be patient. Being irritable wasn’t the way to win her hand. Now that he had decided shewasthe one he wanted, he didn’t intend to let her slip through his fingers because he couldn’t behave as properly as she was.
“I’ll do better than just what would be expected of me as your husband, if you agree to marry me.”
Her eyes narrowed perceptibly, giving him more optimism for a good outcome. She quirked her head to the side and looked at him with suspicious interest.
“I’ll set up irrevocable trusts for the children as well. They’ll never lack for anything the rest of their lives.”
Her faint gasp gave him a thrill of satisfaction. It was downright exciting that he was getting through to her. Even if it were by way of the children. Whatever worked was fine.
“Are you serious, Your Grace?” She took a couple of hesitant steps toward him.
He welcomed the eagerness in her voice and felt her weakening to the idea of his proposal. Bantering with her had been as strenuous as a fencing match. Some of her jabs were just as sharp as the tips of the many swords he’d felt over the years. But the battle hadn’t been won yet.
“You have read many objectionable things about me and have no doubts about my distasteful reputation. Given I explained the broken betrothal, have you ever read anything that indicated I am not a man of my word?”
She stood very still with only her gaze moving from one corner of the room to the other in indecision before it settled on his once again. She was considering what he said, and he had no idea what her answer would be.
His breathing kicked up. He’d never had a man or woman make him feel as if he were sitting on a pincushion. Would she trust him?
“I’ve never heard you aren’t true to your word,” she answered without equivocating. “What you offer is far more generous than I could have ever imagined from a husband.”
Wyatt let out a deep soundless sigh. He didn’t want her continuing to look for logic or sound reasoning. Time was passing. “You have my word on everything I say. I appreciate your reluctance to tie yourself to a man such as I, but I need an answer, Miss Hale. Will you marry me?”
CHAPTER 6
THE SNOW-DROP
THE SAME—LANGHORNE
