Her mouth slowly quirked. “That is what Fanny said.”
“Fanny can be very wise sometimes.”
“I know.” Roslyn shook her head in amusement.
“What is it, love?”
“I was just thinking that I am not very wise sometimes. It was terribly naive of me to try and decree my own fate. I thought I could arrange my future to my specifications, to avoid the pain and heartache my parents endured. But I was wrong. You cannot apply scientific methods or rules of logic to matters of the heart. You cannot dictate love, any more than you can control fate.”
“But I am very glad you tried.”
“I, as well,” Roslyn said softly.
Drew brought her fingers to his lips for a tender kiss. “I want to have our wedding right away. I’m not letting you change your mind again.”
“I won’t change my mind.”
“I still plan to obtain a special license.”
Roslyn frowned a little at that. “Drew…Arabella and Marcus are still away on their wedding trip
. I want my sisters at our wedding, and Tess and Winifred also. Winifred would be heartbroken if we were to exclude her. And I’m certain my mother will want to return from France to attend. I will write her at once, but it will still take time to arrange her travel. I should think you would want your friends there, too.”
“I do. And I suppose we don’t want our union to look rushed.” Letting his head fall back onto the pillows, Drew sighed. “I generally loathe weddings, but in this instance I suppose it would be best if we call the banns and hold the ceremony at St. George’s. Three weeks should give ample time for all your family to return. Is your younger sister still in Hampshire?”
Roslyn hesitated, not liking to lie. “Lily is…somewhere else.”
“Somewhere else? Do you know where?”
“Honestly? Yes. But she made me promise to keep her location a secret, for fear of Winifred’s hounding her to find a husband.”
It was Drew’s turn to sound amused. “Your sister’s secret is safe with me. I’m not about to get mixed up in Winifred’s matchmaking for any price.”
“I wish Winifred could understand that her efforts are not appreciated. Lily has a severe distaste for matrimony-even stronger than yours. Indeed, I doubt she’ll be overly delighted that I am marrying you. But at least I know Arabella and Tess and Winifred will be thrilled for me.” Roslyn lifted her head from Drew’s shoulder. “Your mother will be disappointed, won’t she?”
“What of it? Pleasing my mother is my very last concern.”
“I wonder if she will refuse to attend the ceremony.”
“Oh, she will attend, I have no doubt. She won’t want to be left out and have it said that her son severed all connection with her. She couldn’t bear to suffer the social consequences.”
Roslyn felt a little sad for the duchess. “I think your mother must be terribly lonely.”
“Somehow I can’t feel any pity for her. She brought her loneliness on herself-” Drew stopped and slipped his hand behind Roslyn’s nape again. “Thank God you saved me from a life like hers.”
Smiling, Roslyn traced a finger over his lips. “Drew…” she said, returning to the subject of their nuptials, “I know you have your consequence to uphold, but I want Fanny to attend our wedding.”
“Of course she should attend. I owe her an enormous debt of gratitude for bringing you to the Cyprians’ ball. Otherwise I would have stayed as far away from you as possible.”
Her look turned arch. “I think I deserve some credit, my lord duke.”
“Perhaps you do. You demanded that I teach you how to seduce another man, but my tutoring backfired on me. I fell in love with my pupil instead.”
Roslyn brought her face closer to his. “I think I need another lesson in seduction, your grace.”
A devilish light of pure happiness glimmered in his eyes. “It will be my sincere pleasure, love.”
Capturing her mouth, Drew smothered her laughter against his lips as he obliged.