Page 18 of A Lyon’s Promise (The Lyon’s Den)
Bessie chose that moment to speak, reminding King that she had not left after admitting Coventry to her office.
“I have great respect for the men who have served in His Majesty’s fighting forces, keeping us safe.
So many of whom were gravely injured…then swept away to be forgotten, forced to wait for back pay that takes far too long to approve and distribute. ”
King was moved by Bessie’s declaration and knew her devotion had to do with her late husband Colonel Lyon.
“Your men are grateful and loyal to you, Mrs. Dove-Lyon.” King turned to Lucretia, adding, “As Coventry can attest, His Grace has used his title to bring further awareness of the plight of the brave men who have come home from battle injured…and the widows and families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. He continues to champion their cause in the House of Lords and is well respected for it.”
“Aye,” Coventry agreed. “Viscount Moreland has added his voice to the duke’s, and there are others who are pushing for reforms that will aid these forgotten men who bear the ravages of war, all the while trying to provide for their families.”
“Thank you for explaining to me,” Lucretia murmured.
“I did not mean to slight your service to the Crown, Captain Coventry, nor yours, Gavin.” She smiled at Mrs. Dove-Lyon.
“You should be commended for what you have done for the men you employ, as well as the women snubbed by Society who are worthy of a second chance at happiness. Thank you for aiding them…and me.”
Bessie gave a slight nod. “You are welcome. Now then, I shall leave you in the company of Mr. King and Captain Coventry. You will be safe with them. Will half an hour be enough time to finish your discussion, King?”
“Aye, thank you.” He walked over to Mrs. Dove-Lyon, gently placed his hand beneath her elbow, and steered her toward the door. He opened it and spoke to Titan for a moment before returning. With the closing of the door, he addressed Coventry. “Have the brigands been escorted to Bow Street?”
“They will be waiting for you to interrogate them later tonight.”
“Tonight?” Lucretia did not seem to like that idea.
“The sooner I speak with them, the better,” King said. “After all, if we are to be married in the morning—”
Lucretia rose to her feet, interrupting him. “Afternoon would be better.”
King eyed her defensive stance and accepted that it would be best to start out showing Lucretia that he had no intention to control her, but would be amenable to compromise.
And he would continue to do so—unless her safety was in question, and then she would have to accept his decisions.
“Will you be speaking to the earl tonight?”
Coventry replied, “He’s expecting me shortly.”
“Please let his lordship know that Lady Montfort and I will be ready to wed tomorrow afternoon. Is that agreeable to you, your ladyship?”
Lucretia slowly smiled. Was it because he’d used her title, or because he had not argued with her?
King walked over to her and held out his hand.
She placed her hand in his, and he knew his decision had been the right one.
The softness of her skin, the size of her hand, had his protective instincts roaring to the surface.
“Thank you, Coventry. I shall handle matters this evening, after I deliver her ladyship to her home.”
“Do you need Tremayne or Bayfield?”
King shook his head. “My men will be sufficient.”
“Send word if the situation changes.” Coventry bowed to Lucretia. “It was a pleasure meeting you, your ladyship. I do believe your right cross will become legend among Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s wolves.”
“Oh, but they would not mention it to anyone outside of the Lyon’s Den, would they?”
King wanted to ease her worry, but would not lie to her. “I will speak to the men and ask that they do not. If, however, word has already gotten out, I am certain you understand there is little to be done at this point.”
When her hand went limp in his, he drew her to his side, wrapping his arm around her.
“Lucretia, I will do all in my power to protect you. That you were able to surprise your would-be abductor—first by biting his shoulder, and then punching him—will have others thinking twice before attempting the same.”
“Count on it, your ladyship,” Coventry said. “Your marriage to King tomorrow will send out the message that you are well protected. Your bravery tonight will only add to that layer of protection. I shall see you tomorrow.”
Lucretia smiled. “Thank you for your assistance tonight, Captain Coventry.”
“My pleasure.” Coventry left the room and silence reined.
It was not an uncomfortable one, though it did have King wondering what Lucretia was thinking. In an effort to ensure she was not unduly concerned, he asked, “Would you feel better if I stationed one of my men inside your home and two on the outside?”
“Is it really necessary to have three men guarding me?”
“Aye.”
Her soft sigh was music to his ears, and an indication she was going to acquiesce to his wishes. “Two should be more than sufficient. Weston, my butler, is quite adept at keeping me safe.”
“He is a staunch ally,” King agreed. “With your footmen alerted as to the attempt to abduct you this evening, I believe two of my men guarding the perimeter should suffice.” He trailed the tip of his finger along the curve of her cheek.
Unable to stop himself, he twirled a loose tendril of honey-blonde silk around his finger and brought it to his lips.
“I will protect you, Lucretia. After tomorrow afternoon, we will be living under the same roof, and there will have to be changes made. We have yet to discuss what those changes will be.”
“I shall send word to my solicitors in the morning that I need to speak with them.”
“Why not let me handle that for you? There may be rumblings by morning. The happenings at the Lyon’s Den seem to make the rounds quickly, and the solicitors may try to put off meeting with you for a day or two.”
Lucretia leaned against him. “I am not used to relying on anyone for assistance, Gavin.”
The sound of his name on her lips had a thrill surging through him, answering his unasked question.
She had only addressed him formally when others were present.
“You have carried the burden of handling your household and your finances alone too long. Let me be of service to you. You’ll find that I have no trouble securing appointments with your solicitors, or dealing with tradesmen that may have been charging you overmuch for their services. ”
She stiffened. “I do not want, nor expect, you to take over the management of my household, Gavin.”
He turned her to face him, gently urging her to lift her chin with the tap of a knuckle.
His gaze bore into hers. “I do not intend to take over, but I will not stand by and see you fleeced of your monthly allowance. Our appointment with Bancroft and Sons tomorrow afternoon will be eye opening. I have a feeling there is much they have not disclosed to you.”
Eyes wide with worry, Lucretia rasped, “I have wondered why Montfort would not allow for an increase in my monthly allowance over the last ten years. Do you think the solicitors have overstepped their authority?”
“The thought has occurred to me. I expect them to provide proof to us tomorrow.” When her eyes welled with tears, he crushed her to him.
“Don’t weep, my love. Nothing untoward will happen.
We shall ask to review his lordship’s codicil and will.
Therein will lie the information we need to resolve matters with them. ”
She sighed and turned her cheek to rest it over his heart.
He fought against the riot of emotions clamoring inside of him as he held this precious woman in his embrace.
“I do not want you to worry about finances, or whether or not you will be required to vacate your home immediately, or at your convenience.”
Lucretia pushed against his hold, and he eased her back so he could look into her eyes. The rings of gold at the edges of her pupils were brighter than they had been a short while ago. He could lose himself in the soft brown of her eyes.
Steeling himself not to get sidetracked, he apologized for adding to her worry, then asked, “Have you actually read your late husband’s will or codicil?”
“You must think me a cloth-head not to have done so, but at the time of his death, I was overwhelmed.”
He cupped the back of her head in one hand and kept the other firmly at her waist. “You must have been in a state of shock. Do not belittle your state of mind or emotions at the time—you were much younger and had to have been distraught.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them.
King had no idea how to relieve the worry evident in her expression.
Finally, he realized what needed to be said: “I rent rooms not far from where Coventry lives, just off Grosvenor Square. I have been diligent saving what I earn, as I planned to someday marry and move to a residence fit for my wife, and mayhap children. I have authorized the purchase of a modest home in the same area. I hope you will be pleased with it.”
The first tear fell, and others followed.
Unmanned by them, he reached in his waistcoat pocket, retrieved his handkerchief, and gently mopped her tears.
“I did not mean to make you cry, Lucretia. I wanted you to know that I have the means to provide a home for you, because it can be expected that Montfort’s town house is entailed—though the fact that you have been able to continue to live there all this time raises the question of whom he designated as his heir. ”
“Thank you for your candor, Gavin. It is not that I am so attached to my home—most of the staff have been wonderful, and I do not know what I would do without Weston and Lizzy.” She grabbed hold of his forearms and held tight, her earnest eyes riveted to his.
“I should have told Mrs. Dove-Lyon, given my age, that I was not certain the man she found for me could expect to have children. He may already have children from a former marriage—or mayhap even sired illegitimate children.”
The urgency he felt melted away as he realized she worried about the fact that she had not given Montfort children. “And you would accept either, would you not?”
“Yes, I would, but that is not why I mentioned it.”
He knew then that he had guessed correctly at the source of her tears. “You are concerned that you did not think to mention you were unable to have children.”
She stiffened her spine as she gathered herself. “I understand if you need to sever our contract.” She whispered to add, “I did not withhold the information from Mrs. Dove-Lyon intentionally.”
Did she believe he would refuse to marry her if she were barren?
“I will not sever our contract, but hold you to it! We shall marry tomorrow afternoon. No matter if you were barren with one man, and not with me—which remains to be seen. Whatever the good Lord decrees for our lives, we will accept. Do you understand?”
The hope in her eyes nearly gutted him. “You still wish to marry me?”
In answer, he pulled her close and kissed her, hoping his lips could convey what his heart felt. He more than desired Lucretia. He needed her in his life… Needed her to love him.
She sighed when he ended the kiss. “Does that mean you do?”
He lowered his mouth to possess hers once more, pouring the desire and need that tangled inside of him into the kiss. She was clinging to him like a vine when he could finally bring himself to stop kissing her.
“Aye, Lucretia, I still wish to marry you.”