Page 74 of Two Vows and a Viscount

“I’ve lived with my uncle for years without harm. He’s not even here!”

True, the viscount had left the house the moment Fiennes descended the stairs from the attic.

“He must not have liked my expression,” Fiennes had told Ella, who stayed upstairs to change her ripped gown. “I have the sort of face that some people find objectionable.”

She giggled, thinking of her uncle’s flight, and then added, “The viscount won’t be home until the wee hours. Don’t you need to fetch the marriage license?”

Fiennes shook his head. “My grooms have been coming and going all day arranging for the move. I have the license in my pocket. The priest is laid on for eight a.m.”

“Must we be quite so expeditious?”

“It’s not just that I want you to be my wife,” Fiennes said. “I don’t trust your uncle. I’m taking away both his unpaid housekeeper and his wife, since your aunt will leave with us.”

“She is carrying another man’s child.”

“No one knows that. From the world’s point of view, he’s a virile man who may have finally fathered an heir, if the child is a boy, that is.”

Ella wrinkled her nose and leaned closer. “Has my aunt said anything to you about wishing to return to the country?”

“We haven’t spoken of the subject.”

“I thought she would want to see the vicar. You know, the father.”

There was a clatter at the sideboard.

Fiennes glanced at Jarvis. “My point is that I don’t wish to leave you in this house alone.”

“Well, I don’t wish to marry an unwashed man,” Ella said, laughing.

His husky laugh sent tingles down her legs. “That is persuasive. I do have a few things to do before welcoming my bride to my house.”

Jarvis stepped forward with plates holding chocolate tart.

“Did I tell you that Jarvis has kindly agreed to join our household?” Fiennes asked.

Ella’s face lit up. “That’s marvelous!”

“You may also invite any other members of this household whom you consider valuable,” Fiennes told the butler.

“Thank you, my lord,” Jarvis said, bowing. “I have already discussed the matter with your butler. Fortunately, being that it was heretofore a bachelor establishment, your household will need to expand upon marriage. Lord St. Trevelyon had few servants left, but those will fit nicely into your household.”

“I’ll cover any unpaid wages,” Fiennes said easily.

“What will happen with two butlers?” Ella asked. “I certainly wouldn’t wish to see you demoted, Jarvis.”

“I am acquiring a country estate,” Fiennes said. “Jarvis assures me that he will be happy to take control of it.”

Ella beamed at her fiancé. “You are our fairy godmother. Jarvis vastly prefers the country.”

“That is true, Miss Fenella,” Jarvis said. And then he added, bowing, “I am most grateful to Lord Peregrine.”

“I am not a fairy godmother,” Fiennes pointed out. “That lady had a wand, and I have only sovereigns.”

“Which seem magical to me,” Ella said frankly. “After being poor for so long.”

When the meal was over, Fiennes insisted on walking her upstairs. “I must know how the youngest members of our household are faring,” he said, his eyes dancing under the fan of his lashes.

“No kissing,” Ella told him. “I mean it.”