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He did his best to maintain a pleasant face when Hollis inquired, “Will any of your other neighbors come this evening?” Perry knew Hollis was only interested in one neighbor.

“I did invite Lord and Lady Huntsberry, along with the marchioness’ sister. I do not know if they will be able to attend, however.”

Disappointment flickered across Hollis’ face. “I see.”

A few minutes later, the Huntsberrys did arrive, minus Lady Dru. Lady Huntsberry apologized, saying that her sister had developed a sharp headache.

“I sent her to bed. My maid is attending to her.”

“I hope her health will improve soon,” he said, knowing there was no headache and that Dru was refusing to come to him.

So, he would go to her.

Perry addressed those gathered, much as Lord Huntsberry had done two nights ago. In his brief speech, he thanked the tenants for their hard work and belief in themselves—and him.

“We can do great things together,” he promised. “Keep doing what you are doing. Mr. Rankin will help us stay the course. For now, though, eat up and drink your fill before the music begins!”

A celebratory cheer went up, and he felt a deep fulfilment, having fully settled into his title and life at Beauville. The only thing lacking was a countess—and hopefully he would solve that before the night ended.

He made certain everyone’s plates were filled before slipping away. He did not think he would be missed. Perry did hope to be back, Dru in tow, by the time the dancing commenced.

Making his way to the stables, he saddled Zeus, telling the horse, “There is a certain lady we are off to see. Get us there as quickly as you can.”

His ears pricked up, and he seemed to understand the urgency, taking off at a brisk pace. They arrived at Huntsworth, and Perry rode straight to the stables, giving a groom Zeus’ reins.

“I do not plan to be long,” he said. “I do need to speak with Lady Dru, however.”

“She just came in from a ride, my lord,” the groom volunteered. “I saw her heading to the gardens.”

“Thank you.”

Perry went straightaway to the gardens, entering them and hurrying down the path, hoping to catch up to her.

Then he spied her, bending down, inhaling the scent of a bloom, her rounded bottom tempting him in her tight breeches.

Silently, he crept up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist, drawing her back into him, his lips nuzzling her throat.

“Perry!” she cried. “Whatever are you doing?”

“Kissing you,” he murmured, his lips trailing to her nape.

She wriggled against him, trying to escape, but he held fast.

“Let me go,” she demanded.

“No. Not until I say what I came to say.”

She stilled. Looking over her shoulder, she asked, brows arched, “And what might that be?”

He turned her in his arms because he wanted to face her as he spoke.

“You told me not to grace your presence again until I came to tell you that I love you. Here I am, Dru, ready to do that very thing.”

Her breath hitched. Her eyes widened. He thought her the loveliest creature on earth.

“I do love you,” he began. “I have for the longest time. That sounds odd because we have only known one another for a short while, but it seems as if we have always known each other. I know the person you are, down to the depths of my soul. I realize there is still so much to learn about you, but I want to do that very thing.”

“Am I dreaming?” she asked uncertainly.

“No, my darling. This is real. My love for you. Your love for me. You have an inkling of why I refused to commit to you. It is serious, Dru, these memories which have stayed with me long after I have left the battlefield. I revisit them in my dreams each night. They are the worst of nightmares and haunt me every time I close my eyes.”

“I heard you when you were sleeping in the stables.” Concern filled her eyes. “The noises you made. The sheer terror that seemed to fill you. I want to help you, Perry. Do I think I can chase away all these nightmares? Of course not. But you no longer have to face them alone.”

“I thought you would think less of me. Think I was unfit to be a husband because I could not vanquish them.”

“Your suffering from these bad dreams is not a character flaw,” she said gently. “I think you are an honorable, kind man. A man I have come to love a great deal.” She paused, a teasing light entering her eyes. “And not merely because you kiss so well.”

He grinned. “Well, there is that. We do have a spark between us. I believe if we fan those flames, we might possibly ignite.”

“I would gladly burn with you,” she declared, her hands framing his face. “As it is, I burn for you. I feel a physical connection with you, Perry, but it runs more deeply than that. Frankly, I cannot see myself marrying anyone but you.”

Dru took the initiative, pulling him down for a long, leisurely kiss. He wanted things to become official, however.

“Will you promise to spend the rest of your life with me, Drusilla Alington? I want you by my side. I want to laugh and cry with you. Get to know everything about you. And hold on tightly to you when the nightmares become too much. I hope they won’t chase you away.”

She caressed his cheek. “I love you so much, Perry. Nothing, especially your nightmares, could vanquish my love for you.”

They kissed again, and a calm blanketed him.

“I feel both euphoric and contented,” he confessed. “It seems an odd combination, but you do incredibly odd things to me, Dru.”

“I want you to teach me all the things I do not know about intimacy,” she told him. “I feel we have barely exposed what is to come. I look forward to coupling with you. Having your babes.”

“Our babes,” he corrected. “You will be responsible for the greater part of that process.” He kissed her again, hard. “I do love you so much. I cannot imagine a life without you. Will you accompany me back to Beauville now? Let me announce our betrothal?”

“Oh! You are missing your harvest celebration.”

He smoothed her hair. “This is no celebration to be had unless you are a part of it, my darling.”

She grinned wickedly. “Then we should hurry back to Beauville.”

He laced their fingers together and led her from the gardens back to the stables, placing her atop Zeus and climbing up behind her.

Wrapping an arm about her, he said, “I must write to your father tomorrow morning to request your hand in marriage. I would ask that they come to Beauville. Or that we go to Marleyfield. And that the banns be read this coming Sunday.”

“I rather like the idea of wedding at Beauville. Besides, Mama will be impressed with your estate. I say you show it off—and I will show you off.” Dru laughed merrily.

They arrived at Beauville and stopped at the stables.

“I will send a groom back to tend to Zeus and rub him down. I want to be there before the dancing commences.”

They did so, sending a groom to Zeus. A few tenants had picked up their instruments, and it was obvious they were looking for him to see if it might be time for the dancing to begin.

Perry went to where the musicians stood, his fingers entwined with Dru’s. He looked out over the crowd.

“I have already told you how proud I am of you all and that we are here to celebrate our autumn harvest tonight. We also have another reason to celebrate.” He paused. “Lady Drusilla has agreed to become my wife.”

A loud cheer sounded, with his people showing their approval. He caught sight of Lord Huntsberry, who nodded approvingly at him.

“Let the dancing start!” he shouted, and the musicians began tuning their instruments as groups formed on the lawn.

The music began, and he said, “We should speak to your sister before dancing.”

He guided Dru to the Huntsberrys, and Dru fell into the marchioness’ arms, tears of joy coming from both of them. Lord and Lady Aldridge joined them, as did Lord Tilsbury and Mr. Hollis. The latter looked wistfully at Dru, and Perry hoped Hollis would find love himself someday.

“We want to wed at Beauville,” Dru told her sister. “Lord Martindale will write to Papa tomorrow. I will write to Con.”

“I assume this wedding will take place soon,” Lord Huntsberry said.

“We will start the reading of the banns this Sunday,” he shared. “Of course, Lord Marleyfield will need to give consent. That would mean the banns only need be read here in Surrey.”

“Oh, we have so much to do,” Lady Huntsberry fretted. “You need a wedding gown, Dru. A new wardrobe.”

“Might we host the wedding breakfast?” Lady Aldridge asked.

He looked at Dru, and she nodded enthusiastically. “That would be a wonderful gift to us, my lady,” he said gallantly.

Mr. Hollis spoke up. “Since things are progressing quickly, I will remind you that writing up marriage settlements is one of my specialties. I would be happy to represent Lady Drusilla’s interests.”

Lord Huntsberry said, “I think it would be wise to begin the process, Dru. If you wish to wed by the last calling of the banns, it would be wise to have the marriage settlements recorded beforehand. I am certain once your parents arrive, your father would concur.”

“I agree,” Perry said. “My solicitor is Mr. Chapman. I will notify him of our upcoming marriage and have him come down from town to work on them with you, Mr. Hollis.”

“I know both Chapmans and would be delighted to work with them regarding the marriage contracts,” Hollis said.

“Then for now, things are settled,” he declared. “And I am ready to dance with my betrothed.”

Perry led Dru to where the dancing occurred. He slipped an arm about her waist.

“We should wait for the next tune to begin before entering the fray.”

She smiled radiantly. “My first dance since becoming betrothed. This is not a night I will soon forget, Perry.”

“And my vow to you, dearest Dru? It will get better every day. I promise you that, my darling.”

He brushed his lips against hers, everything finally right in his world.