Lucy hoped tosee Hugh on Sunday, but he didn’t come. On Monday, she roamed the house, until her aunt grew annoyed with her and urged her to sit down and write to her father. Lucy had put off writing to him. Every time she’d begun, the story of her abduction sounded so alarming, no matter how she phrased it, she feared he would be dreadfully upset. He might demand she come back immediately from this iniquitous city to the safety of Bath. And she just couldn’t leave now.
She was scratching out a letter in the parlor when the front door knocker sounded. William went to answer the door. She sat up and waited. Then she heard the deep voice she longed to hear.
She was on her feet when William showed him in. A little fearful of what he might tell her, she tried to gauge it from his expression, but his face gave her no clue. “Won’t you please sit down, Lord Dorchester?”
Hugh shook his head with a smile and came to take her hands. “Are we back to using formal address again?”
Her knees trembled, but she managed to frown at him. Was he teasing her? Had he told his mother? Would her lie make her unacceptable to his family? Would it soon be over between them? She wished he would tell her.
Hugh urged her to sit on the sofa and joined her there. He turned toward her. “I went to the docks yesterday to see if Isabel and her new husband were there ready to depart on a ship bound for Ceylon.”
“And were they?” she asked impatiently as she searched his eyes for an answer.
“Yes. Isabel got her way in the end, as she threatened to create a scandal by returning to live in the parish with Benson. I gave them a basket of fruit from our hothouses to eat onboard and stayed to watch them sail.”
Lucy released the breath. “I wish them a safe voyage.”
“As do I. I feared for Isabel’s health and told them I thought it unwise for her to travel.” A smile pulled at his lips. “Of course they took no notice of me. Do lovers ever listen to sound advice?
While he spoke, his eyes sent a very different message. Lucy swallowed and licked her bottom lip.
Hugh put his arms around her. He palmed her chin and pressed a kiss on her lips. “I meant to court you, my love. To give you my grandmother’s ring, which is still in the bank. But I find myself unable to wait.”
Her heart beat so fast, she thought she’d faint.
“Will you marry me, Lucy?” he asked. He smiled, but his voice sounded strained. “As soon as is humanly possible?”
“Of course I will, my darling.” She reached up to touch his face. “Kiss me again.”
They broke apart at the sound of her aunt’s footsteps on the stairs. Hugh moved to put some distance between them on the sofa. “It seems the only way to keep you out of trouble,” he added with a rueful smile.
“Oh!” Lucy laughed. “Hugh, you are a disgraceful tease.”
Aunt Mary came in, her eyes wide with shock. “Lucy. My lord, please forgive my niece’s deplorable manners. She is overcome with her ordeal.”
Hugh stood and went to greet her. “Lucy has agreed to become my wife, Mrs. Grayswood. I hope you will give us your blessing.”
“Oh, my goodness!” her aunt cried. Throwing etiquette to the winds, she left him and rushed over to hug Lucy. “This is wonderful news.” Making a concerted effort to calm herself, she turned back to Hugh, who stood abandoned and amused. “My lord, forgive me. I am overcome. This is so unexpected. Especially, after all we have been through, and I cannot thank you enough for rescuing Lucy, and finding out where I might find my daughter Anabel…” Scarlet-faced, she looked helpless, having run out of words.
“Thank you for your blessing, Mrs. Grayswood,” Hugh said. “I must go, but I shall call again later today for a drive to the park. Lucy and I can discuss the future.”
Aunt Mary nodded, still dazed.
Lucy rose and went to place a hand on his arm. She smiled up at him. “I’ll see you to the door.”
In the hall, she went to open the front door, but he drew her back into his arms. “I am impatient, Miss Kershaw.”
“As am I, my lord?”
Hugh kissed her again.
Lucy stood with him in the street. She threaded her arms around his neck. “Let the whole world see,” she murmured as he pulled her close. “I don’t care.”
He pulled away after a kiss, which made them both breathless. “I believe you will lead me a merry dance, Miss Kershaw.”
“I hope to,” she admitted.
“And you no longer worry about the rumors?”