Chapter 68 #2
But Charles was having none of it. He stepped forward, arms crossed.
“Well, unfortunately for you, we intend to do the opposite. Tomorrow morning, I will marry Madeline, and you will be there as our witness. After breakfast, I will tell the duke that I accept his offer to become the Vicar of Finchley. Madeline and I will move into the parsonage. After a respectable number of weeks have passed, you will move in too, for we have decided to rent you a room. Seeing as you are such a longtime friend, and you’ve lived in the parsonage before, no one should bat an eye .
. . especially when an accident befalls your cabin, and it tragically burns down. ”
Madeline gasped, her gaze darting to Charles. “What—that’s brilliant, Charles.”
Charles smiled at her. “Yes, I thought it was rather good. It may take some twisting of the duke’s arm to delay with rebuilding.”
“Leave that to me,” she replied. “Burke owes us favors for the rest of his natural life. He will help us smooth this over, I’m sure of it.
They all will. Their acceptance of our situation will assuage the rest of the village.
They can protect us, just as we can protect them.
” She turned back to Warren, waiting for him to speak.
He crossed his arms, his mouth set in a grimace. “So, you’ve both settled everything then? You just expect me to come when called, sleep in the guest room, and watch you be happily married?”
She sighed. “No, you frustrating man. I expect you to come when called, sleep in my bed every night, and watch as the three of us are happy together. And if you’re so concerned about joining this marriage with empty pockets, then here—”
She reached into her own pocket, pulling out the button she habitually carried since her first night with Mr. Tram. She opened her palm, showing him the button. “Consider it a wedding present. It’s all the dowry I have, thanks to my father’s wounded pride.”
He shook his head, gazing down at the officious offering.
She huffed, closing her fingers around the button, and stuffing it back in her pocket. “Then what is it? Let’s have it all out now. Why else do you suddenly delay?”
He stalked off, muttering under his breath.
“He’s fighting his feelings,” Charles muttered.
“Quiet,” Warren snapped at him.
“He’s not in control. He hates not being in control.”
“Shut up, Charles,” Warren growled, stomping forward.
Charles wasn’t cowed by his domineering presence. He tipped his head back, holding his gaze stare for stare. “He’s wearing his pride as armor, and it’s all my fault. I hurt him, and he’s terrified of being hurt again. He’ll push us both away now.”
Her heart raced in her chest. “John, please—”
Warren spun away, stalking off towards the corner muttering under his breath.
“Tell me what I must do to assuage your fears,” she called after him.
He spun around with a groan, looking desperately about the small library before pointing a finger at her. “You’re too anxious,” he muttered. “Hell, it makes me anxious. I’ll be sweating through my shirt and not know why, it’s bloody maddening.”
She blinked, taken aback. “I . . . yes, I am. But I’m working on that—”
“And you’re too meek,” he added. “It’s not enough for you to have opinions. You need to say them, own them with your whole chest.”
She pursed her lips. “Well, you can help set the example for me. I will follow your lead and learn to better speak how I feel without hesitation.”
“And you’re too . . . small.” He narrowed his eyes on her, his gaze tracing her from head to toe. “You need to eat more.”
She was fighting her smile now. This man was determined to fight being wanted.
He didn’t know how to let someone love him, let alone two people.
He was afraid to believe it, afraid to trust it.
So, she just nodded. “You’re perfectly right.
I shall add a second scone to my morning tea routine. Anything else?”
He rolled his eyes, his mouth set in a scowl. “Well . . . you kiss like a goddess, and you ride my cock like a queen on her throne, so at least you have that going for you.”
She crossed over to her, stopping herself right before him. “And now you need to say it.”
His jaw clenched tight, his dark eyes burning with need as he gazed down at her. He opened his mouth, only to shut it with a groan.
She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “John, say it.”
A moment stretched between them, the only sound the crackling of the fire in the hearth.
Slowly, his gaze softened, and he was lifting a hand, brushing his fingers along her jaw. “I love you, Madeline.”
She sighed, eyes shutting tight as she nodded.
“I love you so much . . . it scares me,” he admitted. “I can’t love someone else like I love Charles. I lost him once. To think of losing him twice over . . . I will not survive it. I need you both like I need air—”
She stepped into his embrace, cupping his face.
“John, I love you. You consume me. My thoughts never turn from you. From the moment we met, I was struck through the heart with love for you. It has spread throughout my whole being.” She stroked with her thumb, brushing it over the bottom edge of his scarred cheek.
“There is no losing me, for I cannot dream of losing you. I am yours, John Warren, body and soul. Loving Charles feels utterly incomplete without loving you. Be with us. Be our husband.”
Warren glanced over at Charles, a question in his eyes.
Charles came to them, one hand going to each of their shoulders as he pressed in.
He had eyes only for Warren. “You know I’m sorry.
I could say it every day for the rest of our lives, and it would still never be enough.
I will commit myself to showing you that I love you, proving myself with thought, word, and deed.
I will take the position here in Finchley.
I will marry Madeline. I will move heaven and earth to have you with us, John.
And if the people here cannot accept us, I vow to find a place in this world where we can live in peace together.
The three of us. Please say yes, John. Please be with us. Love us and marry us.”
Warren gazed down at him, tears in his eyes. Slowly he swallowed, sharing his darkest truth. “You cannot abandon me again.”
“Never,” Charles murmured, inching forward to kiss his lips. “Oh god, I swear it. Never again. You’re it for me, Johnnie. Let me back into your heart, and I will never stray again. Free me from the torment of not being yours. I’ll do anything.”
Warren narrowed his eyes, his large hand gripping Charles by the hair and giving him a sharp tug. A smile played at his lips as he murmured, “Show me.”
Without hesitation, Charles dropped to his knees.