The Duke and I (Saints and Sinners 1)

Whitfield stood, came across the room, and shook his head. “Poorly done.”

“What?”

“That.” He gestured toward Jessica and Gillian, who now seemed to be arguing.

Jessica and Gillian glanced his way at the same moment and both looked away quickly. Had that been tears in Gillian’s eyes?

Concerned, Nicolas hurried toward her. “What is the matter?”

“Nothing of consequence, your grace,” Jessica murmured, shocking him to his boots. His youngest daughter had never once addressed him by his title in her entire life.

Whitfield appeared beside Jessica, and they exchanged a long look. She nodded eventually, but then smiled brightly at Nicolas. “Was there something on your mind?”

Gillian appeared too calm. Almost serene.

“I, ah,” he began, but Nicolas was utterly baffled. He caught Gillian’s eye quickly. “Mrs. Thorpe, might I have a word in private?”

Jessica tightened her grip on Gillian’s hand, eyes pleading. “She has a headache.”

He turned on Gillian. “Is that true?”

“Only a slight one, your grace.”

“Well, this will only take a moment, and then you must go upstairs to rest immediately,” he decided. There was no need for her to stay if she was unwell.

“I will rest soon enough,” Gillian promised, and then kissed Jessica’s cheek before she was finally released. “Please excuse me, Mr. Whitfield.”

“Of course,” Whitfield promised.

“This way.” Nicolas led her toward the entrance hall and paused there, in sight of everyone but still private enough that their conversation would not carry. “I’ve been trying to speak with you alone all day.”

Gillian shivered and her eyes rose to his. “Jessica needed me. You know how she can be.”

“I need you too,” he whispered. The look she gave him was far more serious than in recent days. Did she feel the change coming? She must see how very good they were together. Was she waiting for him to go down on bended knee before everyone now? He would not do that. He intended a very private proposal, followed by a great many kisses to celebrate when she agreed. “Come to my room tonight after dinner. There’s something we need to discuss.”

Her eyes widened. “What if someone were to see me?”

“No one will,” he promised. He had intended to ask for her hand in marriage as soon as his guests departed, but he couldn’t wait for tomorrow. It would not be the best beginning for their marriage to rush, but if they were found out, he was comforted by the fact that any scandal would be short lived. A month at most of unpleasantness and then happiness forever. “Please, Gillian. Find a way to come to me. I will wait all night if need be.”

Her chest rose and fell quickly, exposing her anxiety. She liked the idea but not the risk, and he could understand her hesitation. She did not know what was in his heart yet. She had to take it on faith that all would be well.

“I’ll try,” she whispered.

She slipped back into the drawing room instead of retiring, smiled at Jessica, and the pair remained inseparable all night, only parting long enough to take dinner at opposite ends of his dining table—mother and daughter already.

Chapter 12

Gillian slipped into Nicolas’ bedchamber as all the clocks in the house stuck eleven. The hour was late, but this might be the last and only night she could be with him again.

The thought of leaving the duke had become unbearable as the day progressed.

She almost had the door closed when she spotted him asleep in a chair by the window. She drank in her fill of his looks, the open throat of his shirt, and when her heart clenched, she realized she shouldn’t have come after all. She took a step back so as not to wake him.

Unfortunately, a board creaked beneath her foot and he woke immediately, and then smiled when he saw her. “Finally.”

“I apologize.” Gillian glanced around his large chamber. She’d have tonight, one last memory of him to last her a lifetime. His huge bed, his slightly rumpled state. His long bare feet carrying him across the room toward her.

“The pleasure of having you in my arms is always worth the wait.” He scooped her up and twirled her around. “I’m so glad to see you. There are so many things I need to say to you tonight.”