Page 107 of Inconvenient Honor
“What do you mean ‘can’t,’ madam?” He had begun to lose patience, not to mention his wits.
“I can never be a duchess,” she mumbled. “I’ll disgrace you and you’ll send me away.”
Richard drew in a deep breath.
“Duchesses come in many forms, Lily. Don’t mistake my mother for the example of the type.” He put a finger to her lips when she started to reply. “Listen to me.” He turned her so she had to look directly into his eyes.
“You will make a brilliant diplomat. You will manage a salon and dinner table that foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, and visitors will clamor to attend. Besides?—”
Her eyes widened.
“—I don’t want a duchess. I want a wife. That’s what I came to Constantinople to tell you.” The look in her eyes gave him heart. “You will manage the future of England over wine. We will do it together.”
“We will?” she asked in a small voice.
“Well, that last part only if Castlereagh doesn’t dismiss me from his service after this. Even if he does, our home will be a haven for foreign relations. Think how you will regale guests over dinner with tales of the Barbary Coast.”
Her mouth twitched, twisted, and exploded into a smile.
That’s my Lily.
“Do you think I can?”
“I know you can. No other woman on the planet could be the woman I want. No other, the one I love.”
He watched her eyes soften and glow. She sighed contentedly and leaned against his shoulder.
“So, Lily, will you marry me?”
No immediate reply.What does the blasted woman want?
“I love you, Lily. I always will.”
She looked up at him then, eyes shining. “Of course I’ll marry you, silly man.” He leaned in to kiss her.
“Now that that’s settled, can we leave? Much more time and we’ll lose the tide,” a voice exclaimed. Will and Andrew grinned at them from the door; Lily blushed furiously.
Lily reveledin the warmth of the blankets Richard wrapped around her. She reveled even more in the confusion on his face. She almost giggled at the sight of the Marble Marquess finding family impossible to manage. He looked down at the baby and back at her.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Richard,” Will said. “I can carry the baby. “I’ve had practice. I know you don’t trust anyone else to carry Lily.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt herself lifted into the security of his embrace. They set off for the cove—Will, Andrew, Richard, and Lily with the little one in her basket.
“Georgiana,” Lily suggested thoughtfully, against Richard’s shoulder. “Shall we name her after your sister?”
“No,” he said emphatically.
Lily glared at him. “What then, my lord?” she demanded.
He didn’t slow his pace and didn’t answer.
When they reached the rise above the cove, she suggested, “Mary, my mother’s name.” He shook his head.The wretch. Is all life going to be aconflict?
“Hush,” he said.
Richard followed his friends down the hill, and Lily clung to the security of his arms, her face muffled against his shoulder so she couldn’t argue.
Four sailors and their officer stared at them anxiously. “Best get moving, my lords,” the officer said.
