Earl of Sussex (Wicked Lords of London 0.50)

n for him not something she needed to hide, unlike her worries.

He stopped walking and gave her a gentle smile. “I am thrilled to be here, Tabbie. And you will share in my enthusiasm as soon as the ceremony is over. Let’s find an inn where we can stay for tonight.”

“And tomorrow?” She swallowed.

“We begin the journey to our new home.”

Our home. The words warmed her. Strengthened her. She had been tempted to ask about the provision he’d said he would make for her future but it seemed as though she didn’t trust him if she asked.

Staring out the window of the hackney, she knew the silence was building, but she couldn’t bring herself to end it. Luke gave her a few glances but didn’t break the silence either.

At some point these feelings would have to be addressed but their wedding day didn’t seem the time. Or perhaps it was the most important time but everything would change once she did.

“Tell me about our home. You said it’s in Norfolk?” She finally turned to him.

Luke breathed a sigh of relief. She heard it audibly rattle out of his chest. “Is that what you’re concerned about?” He gave a little laugh and relaxed back into his seat. “The house is built in the curve of a river that leads out to the ocean. The gardens are stunning. Creeves has been the gardener there for thirty years. My father hired him before he took the title of marquess.”

“What else?” She smiled a little. Hearing him speak helped to calm her nerves.

“We’ll likely have to renovate. It’s been years since anything has been updated. It will keep us busy for some time.”

“Together?” she perked up.

“Of course. I couldn’t do it without you. We may have to make a few trips to London to purchase materials, but we’ll put it off for as long as we can.”

“London…” Her voice trailed off, but the dread crept into it. The fears she didn’t want to name had a place. London.

He heard it too. “We don’t have to go. But I won’t travel without you. If we do go, we’ll do it together.”

Tabbie closed her eyes. She wasn’t being fair. He’d done nothing but reassure her and all she could do was allow doubts to creep in. “I’d like that.” She gave him another, more genuine smile and scooted closer to him.

“Tabbie, tell me what is bothering you.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight against his body.

“It isn’t worth repeating,” she replied softly.

“Repeating?” He raised an eyebrow and she softened at his charming expression.

“I’ve left my family.” She swallowed hard. “My father isn’t a forgiving man, which means I may never see them again.”

Luke squeezed her close. “We’ll have each other, my love. I won’t leave you alone, I swear it.”

A lump formed in Luke’s throat as he stared at his bride, the words of the priest washing over him. He’d spent the last few days watching her become increasingly quiet but he’d been unsure what to do about it.

“Marriage is a promise to love, honor, and cherish…” The priest’s lilting voice carried throughout the church despite the pews being empty.

Luke wondered if he was already failing at his promise. Because the pews should be filled with her family. And his. But he hadn’t wanted to take a chance that her father might rule in another man’s favor and so he’d stolen her away. Like the rogue that he was.

“I do,” Tabbie murmured.

With their hands tied together, Luke looked into her eyes. She didn’t fully trust her heart to him yet, but she would in time. And he could help earn that trust by doing right by her, now. Not acting the part of rake but being an honorable man.

“You may kiss your bride,” the priest said.

Luke pulled her close and captured her lips with his own. “I love you, Tabbie,” he said as he kissed her again. He hadn’t known before how to help her but now he knew what to do.

Her eyes shined back at him. “I love you, too.”

Luke signed all the necessary documents and then grabbed a spare piece of parchment and penned a quick note. Once he was done, he returned to Tabbie and hand in hand, they walked back to the hired hack. He handed her in and then, stepping to the front, he handed the driver a note. “Once you’ve dropped us off at the inn, would you please deliver this to The Destiny.”