A Wicked Gentleman (37 page)

His expression cleared, the anxiety left his eyes, and he seized her hands. “I knew it, but I didn't dare hope…”

“It alters nothing, Harry,” she said, hearing the desperation in her voice. “I can't lose my children just for love.”

“You won't,” he promised, drawing her towards a sofa. “Listen to me now as I listened to my great-aunt. She's convinced it can be managed, and…” He smiled rather ruefully. “She's convinced me too.”

He took her hands again and leaned in to kiss her eyelids. “She convinced me that I never wanted to be convinced before. So here's what we do. We present the world with a fait accompli…announcements of our marriage in the
Gazette
and the
Morning Post
. They're already prepared.” He reached for a piece of paper on a side table and held it out to her. “It's only a rough draft.”

Cornelia read the formal announcement and shook her head in bewilderment. “How does this help?”

“Afterwards, we go away for an extended honeymoon to Scotland. I have a grouse moor, an estate, trout streams…” He waved a hand expansively, his voice warming persuasively to his theme as if he would sweep her away on the tide of his logic.

“No one will find us there, it's almost inaccessible by road. Markby isn't going to set the Bow Street Runners onto you just because you've made an impeccable marriage, and believe me, Nell, without undue modesty, an alliance with the Bonhams
is
an impeccable alliance. And whatever gossip the old scandal produces, when we come back to London in the autumn, in time for the winter season, it will be old news that we can easily weather. Your father-in-law can't contest the marriage, and if you've had the children with you the entire time, he won't stand a chance at contesting custody in the courts.”

“How can you be sure of that?” She didn't want to hope, it sounded too glib, too easy.

“My great-aunt's lawyers,” he said. “I've not been idle these last wretched days, my love.”

“And they say he couldn't take them from me?”

“Not if you don't leave them behind. As long as they stay with you…and with their stepfather…there's not a court in the land would side with him.”

Cornelia closed her eyes. For the first time she really allowed herself to think that perhaps this glimpse of a future could become reality.

“I should tell you too that I've resigned from the service,” Harry said, his voice a little stilted now. “If that will make any difference to your answer. I know you probably can't forgive—”

“Oh, I can forgive,” Cornelia interrupted, putting a finger on his lips. “I have already done so since that dreadful day. I understand now that at first you couldn't have told me the truth, and I can see how things became more and more twisted and tangled.” She gave a tiny laugh. “A litter of kittens in a basket of wool couldn't have made a knot so impossible to unravel.”

He grasped her wrist hard, pressing his lips into her palm. “I have been so terrified that you wouldn't be able to forgive me.”

She leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth. “I won't forgive you if you give up your work. Or, at least, I won't be able to forgive myself. Give us your undivided attention this summer, and we'll begin anew in the autumn.”

Harry gave a shuddering sigh as if a massive burden had been lifted. “We'll leave that issue for the moment…ah, there are the children.”

The sound of childish trebles came from the hall. Cornelia jumped to her feet and headed for the library door, Harry on her heels.

Eliza Cox appeared from nowhere and bustled over to the little party. “Miss Linton, isn't it? I'm Eliza Cox. So happy to make your acquaintance…and these are the children…such pretty little dears. Let me take you to the nursery…I've ordered soft-boiled eggs for the children, and I'm sure you'll be glad of a nice hot cup of tea, Miss Linton. There's a good fire going, and a kettle of hot water…such a tedious journey from London…I do so hate it.”

“Aye, well I thank you kindly, Miss Cox,” Linton was heard to say as they disappeared onto the first landing. “I'll not say no to a cup of tea, and the children could do with a wash.”

“Now,” Harry said softly, “there seems but one more task to accomplish. You have need of attendants at your wedding. If you'll write a note, I'll send a carriage to Cavendish Square to bring Livia and Aurelia here.”

“I can do that,” Cornelia said, a slight smile flickering on her lips. “But after that, I think there's one more task to accomplish.”

“Oh? And what is that?” Sparks of fire flickered in the green depths of his eyes as he traced the curve of her mouth with a forefinger.

“You may need to remind me why you went to the trouble of holding me up on Wimbledon Common.” Her tongue darted, catching the tip of his finger.

“Oh, I believe I can do that,” he promised, a half smile playing over his lips. “In fact, let me do that now, then you can write your letter.”

“Perhaps that would be best,” she murmured. “I need to be absolutely certain, you see.”

His eyes darkened. “You'll be in no doubt, by the time we're finished,” he promised. He took her hand and led her up the stairs.

 

Much later Cornelia stretched languidly as she lay along the length of his body, kissing the hollow of his shoulder. “I appear to be reminded,” she murmured.

His hand stroked down her back, coming to rest on her backside. “And absolutely certain?”

“Oh, yes,” she affirmed, wriggling slightly so that their hips were aligned once more. “Never more certain of anything in my life.”

She lifted her head a little to look down into his eyes. “I love you, Harry Bonham, whatever you are.”

He took her hair between his hands and drew it back from her face. “I will be a good father to your children,” he promised.

Cornelia smiled languidly. “How's your Greek and Latin?”

He laughed a little. “My love, I deal in codes. My grasp of the ancient languages is impeccable.”

“Well, that's good,” she murmured. “You can take on Stevie's preparation for Harrow, and his grandfather won't have a thing to complain about.”

“I knew I could be useful.” He reached up and ran his hands through the buttery fall of hair. His voice was low and intense as he said, “You will never regret entrusting your children to me.”

“No, I know that.” She kissed his eyelids. “And you will be a good father to any others who might happen along.” She reached down for him, guiding him within her. “I think I need one last little reminder, my lord.”