Page 33 of Her Scandalous Rake (The Worthington Legacy #8)

T wo days later, Tristan was finally able to move around. He didn’t like feeling weak, both mentally and physically, and he was very happy when he found the strength to dress himself and leave his bedroom.

Since the night he was stabbed, his beautiful Diana had been coming to the house every day, caring for him. More so than the good doctor, thank Heavens. Indeed she was an angel. His very own angel.

When he walked into the dining room and saw his two brothers sitting at the table, Tristan paused at the door. His brothers wore expressions that Tristan didn’t like. They didn’t appear gloomy, but more confused or frustrated.

“Good day,” Tristan greeted and he walked in and took his seat at the table.

The other two nodded greetings.

“I must say, Trey, I’m surprised that Hawthorne isn’t with you. In fact, I haven’t seen him since after we left Diana’s cottage.”

Trey shrugged. “Nic was called away suddenly. Something to do with his family in New Castle. I don’t know when he’ll return.”

“I shall have to write him a letter, then.” Tristan smiled.

“How are you faring today my dear brother?” Trevor asked.

“So much better than before.” Tristan’s smile dropped as he eyed his brothers warily. “Why do you ask? Are you both going to tell me something I don’t want to hear?”

“Why would you say that?” Trey wondered.

“Because of your expressions.”

The oldest brother and youngest brother traded glances with each other before looking back at Tristan.

“Actually,” Trevor began, “Trey and I have been discussing something very serious.”

Leaning back in his chair, Tristan folded his arms across his chest. “Something I’m not going to approve of?”

“Well,” Trevor scratched his chin, “the subject matter is a very delicate one. I think you will have a different opinion from mine and Trey’s.”

Tristan shook his head. “What are you talking about?”

“Our sister.” Trevor sighed heavily. “Since you told us about Tabitha the other day, Trey and I have been thinking about her constantly. We are very happy to discover we have a sister, but we think we should keep the secret from our mother.”

“What?” Tristan sat forward in his chair. “Pray tell, why wouldn’t you want our mother to know? She knew what kind of man our father was. Do you really believe she doesn’t suspect there is one illegitimate child—or more—running around England somewhere? Do you really think our mother is that na?ve?”

Trey shrugged. “She’s had so much scandal and heartbreak in her lifetime. I think keeping Tabitha’s secret is necessary for Mother’s health as well as her state of mind.”

“And,” Trevor added, “since Tabitha doesn’t want everyone to know who she really is, I think it would be all right to keep the family secret from our mother.”

Tristan scowled as he stared at his older brother for a few moments then turned his glare at Trey. Blast it all, Tristan really hated when they were right and he wasn’t. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to keep their sister a secret after all. Of course sooner or later Tabitha might want people to know how she’s related to the Worthington family, but until then…

He nodded. “Fine. We will keep it from Mother and the rest of society, but if and when Tabitha wants people to know…”

“Yes, we will tell Mother when that time comes,” Trevor agreed.

“Have you thought over that other matter I asked you about the other day?” Tristan asked.

“What other matter?”

Tristan rolled his eyes. Sometimes he felt his older brother never listened to him. “I don’t want Tabitha to live the life of a servant any longer. I would like to set her up in a cottage somewhere away from the ton and give her an allowance so she can live her life as she sees fit.”

Once again Trevor and Trey traded glanced with each other before returning their focus to Tristan.

“Agreed,” the brothers said in unison and smiled.

“Splendid.” Tristan grinned. “Now, I’m hungry.” He pushed away from the table and moved to ring the servant to bring in his breakfast.

The rest of the morning passed in relaxation. His brothers left and Tristan had a nice visit with his mother. Tristan tried to read a book, but he couldn’t concentrate. His mind kept wandering to the woman he loved more than life itself.

“I must see Diana,” he muttered in frustration as he closed the book and stood. He took a step toward the door, but his mind halted him from going any further. He wasn’t sure where she was staying. Was she still at her own home even though Mr. Lusk had now assumed the title of Viscount, or had she returned to the cottage? Tristan knew she wasn’t at Lady Dashwood’s any longer. The woman was locked away in Newgate prison, and her servants were looking for other employment.

Groaning, he sat back down again and flipped open his book. He had to believe Diana would come today after all she had been to see him every day since the stabbing.

Memories of what happened that awful, yet wonderful, night flashed through his mind. He couldn’t believe Diana would risk her life to save his. It thrilled him beyond words to know she loved him that much. He would risk his life to save hers without a doubt, and it pleased him to know she loved him just the same.

The door to the sitting room opened and the butler stepped inside. “Lord Tristan, Lady Hollingsworth is here to see you.”

His heart cheered and excitement shot through him. Grinning, he nodded to the butler. “Splendid! Please show her in, Bentley.”

Tristan stood and waited for her to enter. She looked so lovely in her lavender day-gown with matching bonnet. Her auburn ringlets hung nearly to her shoulders but still showed him a perfect view of her slender neck. When she met his gaze, her eyes sparkled and a smile stretched across her tempting mouth.

“Diana, my dear.” He held out his good hand for her to grasp. “I’m so very happy you came.”

“Really? Why is that?”

“Because I can’t make it through the day without seeing your beautiful face and hearing your gentle, caring voice.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Tell me, Lord Tristan, what is it that you want now? For some reason, you are acting very suspicious.”

Chuckling, he pulled her to the sofa and they sat. He kept her hand in his as he caressed her fingers. “I would be lying if I told you I didn’t want something, because I do.”

“Ah-ha. I knew there was a reason for all the flowery words, my lord.”

“Indeed, there is.” Before saying another word, he leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers. “I hope you do not mind if I kiss you first.” He didn’t give her time to answer, and pressed his mouth lovingly against hers.

A deep sigh escaped her throat as she threw her arms around his neck and responded exactly how he wanted. He held her close and kissed her like a man starved for attention… or in this case, like a man who was thrilled to have been given a second chance at love. His heart burst in his chest, and he knew for certain she was the woman he wanted to love. Always.

Tristan broke the kiss and only pulled back enough to gaze into her lovely green eyes, the same pair of eyes that caught his attention when they first met. Eyes he has seen in his dreams for three years, from the moment he awakens until he drifts off to sleep.

“Diana, I want you to know how much I love you. Never has there been a woman who has touched me as deeply as you have touched not only my heart, but my soul as well.” He stroked his thumb along her cheek. “Circumstances have kept us away for too long, and I want to rectify that situation now.”

She smiled although moisture filled her eyes. “And pray, how can we rectify that?”

“Marry me as soon as we can obtain the license. I want to claim you as my wife and treat you like a queen. I want you to bear my children and be the wonderful mother I’m confident you’ll become. And I want to love you endlessly and be by your side forever.”

“Oh, Tristan,” her voice broke, “I would love nothing more than to be your wife, but…”

“But?” He held his breath, not knowing if he was going to like what she was about to tell him.

“I cannot give you children. I am barren. One of the reasons Ludlow beat me and hated me so was because I could not give him a child. Although I would love to have your children, I fear I cannot.”

His mind scrambled with thoughts. Having children with her would be wonderful, but he would be happy to be her husband even if the Lord didn’t bless them with a large family. “My love, you will always be special to me whether you are infertile or not. However, I do believe that it was Ludlow who had the problem. Not you.”

Her forehead creased. “What makes you think that?”

“As many times as he had slacked his lust on other women, not one of them became pregnant.” Tristan shrugged. “If he had sired any children, legitimate or not, he would have been boasting all over town.”

She sat in silence for the longest time as her gaze traveled over his face before finally resting on his eyes. Slowly, she smiled again. “Tristan, I do believe you are correct.”

“Of course I am.” He winked and kissed her again, wishing this moment never had to end. He broke the kiss and brushed his lips across her cheek and down her neck. “So my sweet Diana, will you consent to becoming my wife?”

“Oh, Tristan,” she sighed. “I have loved you since you first thought I was blowing kisses to you that day we met, and I will continue to love you until I take my dying breath when we are both old and gray. You have always made me feel so special and loved, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel the same joy.”

Love burst inside his chest and emotion filled him so full he could scarcely breathe. He kissed her again, sealing their bargain. Happiness finally flowed through him like he’d always dreamed it would.

At long last, he had found the very thing he’d always dreamed about having… the sweetest love.