Page 93 of The Commoner Who Stole Her Heart

“There is still plenty of evidence that he tried to murder you and me, Freddie,” Thea said, her voice hot.

“Yes, and thank God you stopped Mr. Noonan from giving me any more of that brandy Robert gifted me,” Freddie said with a rueful smile. “He saw no harm, but any more of it and I would be dead.”

“That was the only thing that made any sense to me,” Thea replied, chewing on a piece of bread. “Ampleforth had Littlefield poison the servants as a distraction, but how could any poison pass from Mrs. O’Bannon to only you? He had told me he planned to use Liam’s life to blackmail me into marrying him, but the only reason that made any sense was if he had planned to kill you, too.”

Liam chuckled. “I told you she was smart,” he said to Freddie.

“And I must admit that her smartest move was falling in love with you,” Freddie replied, sitting back in his chair and swirling the wine in his cup. “Had that not happened, you would not have gotten involved. Without you, well, let us just say I care not to dwell on that too much.”

“What we do for the ones we love.” Liam gazed at Thea, still amazed at how his life had changed. She looked at him, that quirky upward tilt to her lips that he adored on her face.

“I love you,” she said.

Freddie snorted. “Please do not start that mushy talk at the supper table again.”

Thea’s nose went up. “I will talk mushy to my beloved fiancé if I so desire. Besides, I have no doubt you will start it soon enough.”

Freddie blushed, grinning. “Yes, well, the Countess is a delightful woman.”

“I want to hear the instant you propose marriage to her, Freddie,” Thea insisted.

“Perhaps we should make ours a double wedding,” Liam suggested, then immediately wilted under the intense scrutiny of Thea’s fierce eyes.

“No,” she said flatly. “My wedding day isnotto be shared with anyone. Especially my fool of a brother.”

“I say,” Freddie protested. “That was uncalled for.”

Thinking a change of subject was in order before the Willowdale siblings erupted into another of their quarrels, Liam cleared his throat, and said, “I would like to ask something from you, Freddie. A favor.”

“Of course, Liam. Ask away.”

“I, er, would ask that you stand up for me at our wedding.”

A wide grin of pleasure crossed Freddie’s countenance. “I would be happy to, Liam, as well as honored.”

“I have already asked your mother, Liam,” Thea said, “to stand at my side.”

Stunned, Liam only gaped. “My mother?”

“Why not? I have no other women friends, save her, and I care for her very much. I think she feels the same way.”

“Of course she does,” Liam replied, feeling warmth spread through him that did not come from the wine. “She has loved you both since you were small.”

“I feel as though I can talk to her as I would my own mother,” Thea mused. “I can confide in her, and know what I say will not make the rounds of gossip.”

“Well, we certainly cannot keep Mary in the position of housekeeper,” Freddie said. “Not with her son soon to be a lord.”

“What will she do?” Liam asked, puzzled.

Freddie shrugged. “We will think of something. But like you, she is now part of our family. He then raised his glass again. “Here is to our new family.”

The End?