Chapter Twenty-Nine #2
The bounder moved closer to Theo and appeared as if he would try to embrace her.
Leo had never wanted to murder anyone as much as he did Milford right now.
Not least because she had used the same argument when explaining why they should not wed.
Striding forward, Leo picked Milford up by his cravat and shook him.
“Lady Theo is betrothed to me, and she is going to marry me.” Leo tossed Milford away, clutched Theo’s arm before she could run off, and started walking out of the conservatory almost dragging her behind him.
He couldn’t believe a gentleman would attempt to propose to Theo when she was still betrothed to him.
Alice was right. It was time they straightened a few things out.
“I suggest you ask Lady Lana Grant to dance.”
“I don’t know Lady Lana,” Milford protested.
“Find someone to introduce you. Theo is taken.” Forever.
“Chandos. Stop.” Theo’s voice was tight and angry. “You do not need to pull me along like a recalcitrant child. I will come with you.”
He did as she commanded and offered her his arm. “Very well.”
Casting him a strange look, she placed her fingers on his sleeve. “That is better.”
He’d been in this garden many times in the past since he’d been on the town, but never with someone he loved.
Unerringly, he led her to a small fountain with a stone bench and turned her to face him.
“Theo, I love you. I think I fell in love with you when you threw that bucket of water on me. I have spent all my time since then becoming the man I should be. Not just for you but for me and the dukedom as well. I have not drunk to excess since last June. I have stopped gambling.”
“Women?” She raised her stubborn chin. “What about your mistress? Everyone knows you have one.”
He stared into her eyes. “Then everyone is wrong. I have not touched a female”—God knew she would parse words with him if he wasn’t clear—“since I left Town last June. I did not attend the Autumn Season because I knew you would not be there.” He dragged a hand down his face then took her hands in his.
“I have never before wanted to wed. I have never wanted a wife, but I want you. I want you in my life. Nay, I need you in my life. As my helpmate, the mother to my children, and my duchess. I’ve been trying for weeks to convince you that we would make an excellent match.
That we would be happy together.” He searched her eyes for some indication she understood and believed what he was saying.
And he finally saw her lapis-blue eyes warm for him. “Theo, please marry me.”
The next thing he knew she was in his arms. “I never could allow myself to believe you had changed. I wanted to. Then I heard about your mistress.”
“And you had to harden your heart toward me?” Leo finally had the missing piece. The reason she’d been cool, almost cold to him. “If I thought it would do any good, I’d announce to the world that I don’t have a mistress.”
“Kiss me.” Theo raised up on her toes.
“Kissing you is the least of what I want to do with you.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I dreamed of you in my bed.” And on his desk, and in the garden, and anywhere else he could make love to her.
Her lips formed a perfect O. “You have?”
“It has practically killed me to watch other men dance with you when all I wanted was you in my arms. Theo, marry me, please.”
She pressed her lips against his jaw. “I will be extremely happy to marry you. I love you. I think I fell in love with you when I first waltzed with you.”
“At Christmas?” That was a surprise.
“Yes. But I was not out, and you had such a bad reputation.”
Damn him and his reputation. He claimed her mouth and stroked his hand down her supple back over her tight derriere. “Two weeks. I know your family will not agree to less time.”
“You have already spoken to Matt?”
“I talked to Stanwood first. I spoke to Worthington after he arrived in Town.” Leo grimaced at his memory of the conversation. “Naturally, he said it was your choice. I was to be given no special consideration for being a duke.”
Theo chuckled lightly. “It is what he always says.” She pressed against Leo and drew him into a searing kiss.
Their tongues danced. He’d spent months wondering what she would taste like. Finally he knew. Parsley and bergamot. Light and fresh. He cupped her breast and caressed it, causing her to press more deeply against him. He wanted her, but he knew he had to stop soon.
“If I thought I could get away with it, I’d take you back to my house and ravish you tonight. Although, I have a feeling, I’d soon be missing a few body parts.” The thought of losing her had undone him. He’d known her for years, but he’d never known her. Who she was.
“I have no doubt.” She pressed her lips together and shook her head, but her eyes were laughing. “Come.” Theo took his hand. “Let us tell them that we have decided on a wedding date.”
They strolled hand in hand into the ballroom, skirting the dance floor. “I want all your waltzes.”
“I gathered you would.” She squeezed his hand. “What about the other sets?”
“We can stroll the room or the garden or find an empty chamber.” His imagination was boundless when it came to having her.
“That last one sounds a bit risky.”
Only because she didn’t know what could be accomplished in a garden. “Gardens are fascinating places.”
As they approached her family, Rothwell was standing next to Kenilworth and their ladies.
He met Leo’s gaze, then turned to Rothwell. “We are going to have a wedding.”
“He could not have convinced her so quickly,” Rothwell retorted.
“Would you care to wager a monkey?” Kenilworth drawled.
“Very well,” Rothwell grumbled. “We’re having a wedding.”
Theo started to laugh.
It was funny. “Do they do this often?”
Her face was alight. “All the time, and Rothwell always loses.”
That didn’t surprise Leo. “I wouldn’t wager against Kenilworth. He usually knows what he was about.”
“He does.” She smiled up at Leo. First his heart seemed too large for his chest, then his cock started to rise. Soon. Very soon.
Leo and his love strolled up to Worthington.
“We’re getting married in two weeks.” Theo grinned.
Worthington inclined his head. “Two weeks it is. In my office tomorrow after breakfast to review the settlements.”
Leo thanked his future brothers-in-law for advising him as to how the settlement discussion would go.
“I’ll send my information over first thing tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Worthington glanced at Theo. “Are we staying for supper?”
“We are. I do not want to miss waltzing with my affianced husband.” Something caught her attention because she stared across the room and to the right. “Is that Milford with Lady Lana?”
Leo looked in the direction Theo was staring. It was. “Good man. He took my advice.”
She gave him a disgruntled look. “Not an hour ago, you wanted to murder him.”
“That was because he wanted you.” He might not have actually killed Milford, but Leo would have beaten him badly.
Behind them, there were soft chuckles. He was looking forward to being in this family.