Page 37 of The Major’s Mistake (Intrepid Heroines #7)

She feathered a kiss to his mouth. “I love you, Julian. I finally understand that is what is important. You. Me. Our son. The future.”

“My love, are you saying that you might truly consider?—”

“I am saying that if your offer still stands, my answer is yes.”

There was no need for further words.

It was some time later that a discreet knock finally interrupted their embraces.

“Er, sorry to disturb you, guv, but the vicar will be arriving shortly, and so will Lady Thornton, who is fair bursting with curiosity to know what is going on. I barely escaped the thumbscrews and rack as it is.”

Julian gave a soft laugh. “No doubt she is.” Turning back to Miranda, he added, “Well, I suppose I had best allow Sykes in here to make me presentable.” He glanced down at his rumpled nightshirt and grinned.

“I’m afraid I would cut a sorry picture indeed were I to appear at my nuptials clad only in this. ”

Miranda looked at her own sadly disheveled dress and smiled too. “I had better see to myself as well. Aunt Sophia would never forgive me if I didn’t rid myself of this gown. Nor can I claim I shall be sorry to see it go.”

“There is a ivory watered silk gown trimmed in a smoky emerald to match your eyes. It occurred to me as soon as I saw it that it would make a splendid wedding dress.

She stood up, but he kept hold of her hand for a moment longer. “Have I told you that you have grown even more beautiful over the years?”

“Perhaps you need spectacles at your advanced age, my dear.”

She had gone only a few steps before a sharp exclamation caused her to turn around.

“Dash it all! A ring!” exclaimed Julian. “The one thing I’ve forgotten is a ring.”

Miranda undid a button at her bodice and drew out a thin filigree chain that hung around her neck. Suspended on its length was a simple gold band.

“Perhaps we may give this a second chance as well.”

Lady Thornton regarded the marquess and his bride through lowered lashes as she raised her glass of champagne.

“My dears, you really must be more careful about subjecting an old lady to such unexpected surprises—why, it’s very taxing on the heart, you know.

Not that I mind this particular shock,” she drawled.

“I don’t. In fact, I couldn’t be happier over the turn of events. ”

“Shock—ha!” exclaimed Julian with a grin. “If Wellington had a general half so clever with planning and strategy, the war would have been over long ago.”

Her lips twitched. “Really, Julian, I have no idea what you are talking about.”

The marquess gave a chuckle as he shifted in his chair. The late afternoon sunlight flooding the airy drawing room caught a glint of gold on the hand that touched his shoulder.

Miranda leaned close to her husband’s ear. “You must be careful about letting yourself become too fatigued, Julian. I am not at all convinced it is the best thing for you to be out of bed for so long.”

A roguish grin spread over his face. “Neither am I, but we shall rectify that shortly.”

Her cheeks turned a very becoming shade of pink. “But I fear it would be rag-mannered to desert our guests quite yet.”

“Where are the rest of our guests?” he asked in bemusement

“Sykes is introducing Angus and Jem to the delights of champagne while giving them a tour of the stables, and then I believe he was going to take Justin to see the litter of puppies at the kennel.”

A chorus of furious barking and yelps of delight confirmed the last statement. The next moment, Justin burst into the room, the tail of his shirt hanging out from his muddied pantaloons, a shaggy little creature nipping at his heels.

“Mama! Major! Isn’t he magnificent?” He scooped the puppy up into his arms, blissfully unaware of the series of paw prints now tattooed across his chest. “Mr. Sykes said that I could choose the one I liked best—that is, if you say it is alright to keep him.” He looked at Miranda with undisguised longing.

“Mama, I don’t think he will cost very much to feed, and I could always share my own supper with him. ”

“I don’t believe that will be necessary, love. But you must also ask His Lordship.”

Justin turned an eager face to Julian.

“I think the expense of a puppy can be managed,” he said dryly.

As if to cement the new friendship, the puppy began squirming in Justin’s arms and running his pink tongue over all over the little boy’s face.

“Perhaps you might let Sykes take your new friend into the kitchen for some warm milk,” suggested Julian, noting that the animal’s tail was beginning to twitch in a rather ominous manner.

The valet nodded in understanding and quickly whisked the puppy out of the room to the accompaniment of its doleful howls. Fortunately, the accident that the marquess had foreseen might happen occurred just out of range of the expensive oriental carpet.

“Oh dear, I’m afraid you have no idea how much your peaceable existence is about to change,” murmured Miranda.

There was a decided twinkle in Julian’s eyes. “I daresay Sykes and I shall learn to cope with unruly animals and muddy children.”

Justin stared in some dismay at the state of his dress. “I didn’t mean to?—”

Julian ruffled the little boy’s hair. “I imagine I ruined a good deal more clothing in my time than you, lad. Now that I am to look after you and your Mama, you needn’t worry about that.”

Justin’s eyes grew wide. “Then it is true?” he ventured in a voice tinged with awe. “Mr. Sykes said that Mama and I were to come live with you, but I thought that, well, maybe he was just teasing me.”

Julian reached out and hoisted the boy onto his lap. “No, it was no jest. Does that meet with your approval?”

Justin wound his arms around the marquess’s neck, wreaking havoc with the precise folds of his neckcloth. “Oh, I should like it above all things!” There was a brief pause. “Can Aunt Sophia live with us too? And Angus and Jem?”

“They have all been invited,” answered Julian.

A blissful smile came to his lips as his head nestled against the marquess’s shoulder and his eyes drooped half shut. “Why, today has been just like one of the fairy tales you read to me, Mama, where all wishes come true,” he said in a sleepy voice.

“Indeed, lad. Indeed.” Julian hugged him closer while exchanging smiles with Miranda.

Lady Thornton put aside her glass and rose.

“I think Justin has had quite enough excitement for one day—as have we all! I will take him home and leave the two of you some peace and quiet on your wedding night.” A flicker of sly amusement crossed her face.

“I leave it to you, Miranda, to see that Julian does not suffer any ill-effects from all of the strenuous activities required of him today.”

The marquess repressed a chuckle. “You are a marvel, Aunt Sophia.”

“Yes, aren’t I?” she replied with a happy smile.

Sykes came back into the room, followed by Angus and Jem. Seeing that Julian was about to attempt getting to his feet, the small boy still in his arms, the big groom moved quickly to the marquess’s side.

“Here now, Yer Lordship, I’ll make sure to see the bairn safely home.”

Julian handed over his drowsy son without hesitation. “Yes, I know you will. My thanks, Dagleish. For everything.”

Angus bobbed his head in awkward acknowledgement.

“Did you find the stables to your liking?” inquired Julian after a moment.

Emboldened by the champagne, Jem couldn’t keep his own answer from bubbling out.

“Cor, I ain’t never seen such prime horseflesh, and Will—that, is, Mr. Sykes—says that they don’t begin to hold a candle to what’s at Crestwood.

” The awe in his voice was mirrored in the widened eyes that wandered over the rich carpets, the mahogany furniture and magnificent woodwork of the room.

“Do I take that as an acceptance to come work for me?”

“Oh, yes, sir!” He swallowed hard. “That is, if Lady Thornton don’t have need of me.”

Lady Thornton smiled. “As I plan to accept my niece and nephew’s kind invitation to spend a good part of the year with them, I fear I will have little call for a staff other than Wells and Mrs. Walters to keep up Talney Hall.”

Jem let out a sigh of relief.

“And you, Dagleish. What say you?” asked Julian.

The big groom took a moment to answer. “Well, I suppose I’d best say yes since someone needs te keep an eye on everyone—and to knock some sense into ye if you ever bring a tear to the eye of your wife again.”

“I assure you, I shall stay in line,” murmured the marquess. “Though I would take it kindly that you do not spread the word to the rest of my staff that you are in the habit of giving me a thrashing. Not at all the thing, you see. My other grooms are actually a bit in awe of me.”

Angus gave what for him was a broad grin. “I think we can come to some agreement on that.”

Julian signaled to Sykes. “Have John Coachman bring round the carriage and escort all of our guests home. Oh, and take along several bottles for the ride. It seems our friends have had no difficulty acquiring a taste for champagne.”

Lady Thornton raised an eyebrow as the others made rather eagerly for the entrance hall. “Well, that should make for a jolly trip home.”

“As well it should be.”

“As well it should be,” she agreed. She blew a kiss to each of them, then turned to leave herself. On reaching the paneled oak door she paused, then gave a quick wink before pulling it firmly closed.

Julian was shaking with repressed laughter.

Miranda grinned as well, but her hand stroked his shoulder in some concern. “Julian, you mustn’t tire yourself too much. I think it’s time we went upstairs.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Yes, my love, I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s high time we begin sharing our nights together again.”