Baron of Bad (Lords of Scandal 5)

He gave a nod, dropping his forehead back to hers. “That, I completely understand. But let’s leave those in London. I am ready to accept the fact that you might be able to love me if you can accept the fact that you are more, in every way, than I ever dared to wish for.”

A soft smile played at her lips. “And to think, you thought you weren’t good with words. That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.”

He chuckled then. “You bring it out in me.” Then he gathered her closer. Ben took a step back, and then with his arm about her, walked her down the plank.

“So why did you hesitate when you talked of our wedding?” she asked when they reached the bottom.

“Well…” he started. “I’ve a surprise for you but I don’t know when exactly that surprise will arrive.”

“Surprise?” She crinkled her brow. What could he possibly have surprised her with? “Running away to Scotland wasn’t adventure enough?”

He stopped walking and then raised his hand, pointing through the crowd of sailors leaving the boat. “There.”

She stood on tiptoe, straining through the crowd, but she wasn’t nearly as tall as him and couldn’t see what he pointed at. The morning sun glinted off the rock causing her to squint as she searched. “Where?”

“Grace?” a female voice called from the crowd. “Grace, is that you?”

Cordelia? “No,” she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. “How is my cousin here?”

Ben winked. “I sent Malice a letter the d

ay before we sailed. I’d hoped you would say yes.”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “For a man who was uncertain about my affection, you seemed rather certain about my actions.” Then she swatted his arm. “And thank you. This is a wonderful surprise.”

He grinned as he began pulling her through the crowd toward her cousin and his friend. When they reached Cordelia, she threw her arms about her, so glad to have her cousin here now. “I’m so happy to see you. How did you get here so quickly?”

Cordelia hugged Grace tight. “We were here already. Getting ready to sail north to see Chad’s family.”

Grace held Cordelia tight. “How fortunate we didn’t miss you.”

“How does everything fare down south?” Malice rumbled as he shook Ben’s hand. “Did you leave because you weren’t safe?”

Grace backed up as she waved her hand. “Ben took care of all that.”

Malice raised a brow but didn’t say more.

Ben clapped his hand on Malice’s shoulder. “We’re here because Grace’s mother wanted to plan a very elaborate wedding sometime in the distant future and—”

Cordelia let out a tinkling laugh. “Say no more. I know how overbearing my aunt can be.” Then she reached for Grace’s hand. “I know just where the blacksmith is located. Let’s go see him now.”

* * *

Bad’s heart raced in his chest. Grace was about to be his, absolutely and completely. His fear was still there, of course. A lifetime of feeling unworthy hadn’t washed away in a single night.

But those worries had lessened and with each day by Grace’s side—and honestly, each night in her bed—they further washed away. He’d still love her long after her blonde hair had faded to grey and wrinkles spidered out from the corners of her eyes.

She’d love him too, he grew more certain of that every day. Not that he wouldn’t work hard to give her what she wanted. He’d do nearly anything to keep her happy.

And right now, that meant marrying her in a blacksmith’s shop in a small village in Scotland with the spring sun shining down on them. He grinned as the sun glinted off her hair, her arm linked with Cordelia’s, and she tossed a smile at him over her shoulder.

“You look like a man in love,” Malice rumbled next to him, his deep voice, carrying despite the fact that he hadn’t spoken very loudly.

“I am,” he answered simply. Then he turned to his friend. “So do you.”

Malice shook his head. “How did it happen? One minute we’re happy bachelors, intent upon debauchery and the next…” He waved his hand at the women. “I spend hours a day considering how to make Cordelia happier. I’m helping her to write a book, can you believe that?”

“You’re writing a book?” Bad stopped to stare at his friend.