“You seem certain of my answer.”
“We’re in love, Nicole. I’m afraid there is nothing else for it but to spend the rest of our days making each other happy.” Keeping a firm grip on her hand, he stood and knelt by her side. “Say you’ll marry me. Say you’ll come with me to St. Alkmund’s in the morning. While you’ve been resting, I made a quick visit to London and procured a special licence.”
Her brilliant smile illuminated the room, but then it faded. “Oliver, I’ve three months before I can marry without Jeremy’s consent.”
“I have Jeremy’s consent,” he said with an air of arrogance. Oh, he’d taken his fear and anger out on the pathetic creature. “He had no choice but to give it when I threatened to have his wife charged with conspiracy to commit murder.” It would have taken a miracle to secure such a charge, but Jeremy Asprey was a man afraid of his own shadow. “After all, she’d colluded with Lord Mosgrove numerous times. I flashed a signed note and told them it was Mosgrove’s confession.”
Nicole chuckled. “So, you learnt a trick or two from Mr Burrows.”
“Yes, though our motives are vastly different. I did it for love whereas he did it for money. On the subject of Mr Burrows and Miss Murray, Jameson informed me that they boarded the first ship sailing to Boston.”
“Boston?”
“Apparently, Burrows forged Lord Knowles signature and stole a thousand pounds. Thank the Lord I’d not hired him to work for me. He might have emptied the bank and left us no choice but to live amongst the ruins of Morton Manor.”
Nicole stood, bringing him to his feet. “I once told you that I would live in a house with a leaking roof if it meant living with my one true love.”
Oliver cleared his throat. “Morton Manor has no roof.”
She came up on her tiptoes and kissed him softly on the mouth. “I don’t care where I live as long as I’m with you.”
Oliver slid his arm around her waist and pulled her to his chest. “Does that mean you’ll marry me, Nicole?”
“I’m surprised you need to ask.” She ran her hand up over his chest, and it settled on his heart. “Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.”
“Then it’s settled. We shall marry in the morning.”
The chaste kiss they shared ignited into something far more salacious. Had Nicole been well, they would have found a use for the space on top of the table.
Thankfully, the persistent knock on the door dampened his ardour.
“Come in,” he called, stepping away from Nicole’s warm body to a more respectable distance.
Holding his cap in his hands, Peters entered the parlour. “Forgive me, my lord.” The man could hardly catch his breath. “I … I know you’re taking your dinner.”
“It’s all right, Peters.” Indeed, Oliver was a little hot under the collar and needed a distraction. “What’s got you into such a fluster?”
“It’s … it’s about Lady Rose, my lord. I … I’ve found her.”
Thank you!