Page 28 of Two Secrets to Surrender (Blackwood Legacy #2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

L ate that afternoon, Gigi, accompanied by her brother, arrived at Conrad’s London town house. It was an imposing Palladian in an excellent square not far from her parents’ residence. The butler seated her and Owen in the drawing room, which was as fashionable as the exterior and decorated in rich jewel shades.

Conrad strode in. “Gigi?”

Seeing her lover looking robust and handsome in his shirtsleeves and a grey double-breasted waistcoat, a neckcloth of celadon silk knotted beneath his chin, she let go of the anxious breath that had been trapped inside her since the dream. If they were alone, she would have run into his arms. She had to settle for his possessive grip as he took her hand and kissed it.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said. “But what the devil are you doing here?”

“I had to see you,” she said tremulously. “I convinced Owen to bring me.”

“I am obliged, sir.” Conrad extended a hand to her brother.

After a moment, Owen shook it.

“It wasn’t my idea,” Owen said. “If I didn’t escort her, Gigi threatened to come alone.”

“Let us sit,” Conrad said. “I’ll ring for refreshment, and you’ll tell me what this is all about.”

Given the day of traveling, Gigi was famished. So was Owen, for he wolfed down several plates of the sweet and savory teatime delicacies the butler brought in. Conrad sat, tea untouched, as she told him about the pawn ticket. True to her word, she kept the identity of her source anonymous, merely noting that the suspect who went by “John Brown” had seduced an innocent girl.

Conrad studied the slip before looking up at her with warm eyes. “Clever and resourceful, like I said. No one should ever underestimate you, Gi—I mean, my lady.”

Gigi beamed at the compliment. And the fact that he was trying to make a good impression. Not that Owen noticed—he was busy inhaling a selection of Gunter’s delectable iced cakes.

“Do you think the pawn ticket will lead us to John or whatever his name is?”

“With this clue, my investigators will track him down.” Conrad paused. “But you could have sent the ticket and spared yourself the trouble. Your parents?—”

“Won’t even know we came,” Gigi assured him. “Owen and I plan to return to Chuddums immediately. But I had to see you—to make sure all was well.”

“I’m fine, duchess. Now that you are here.”

Conrad’s intense regard sent pleasant tingles over her nape.

“Owen, would you mind giving us a few moments?” she asked.

Her brother frowned. “Even I know that’s not proper.”

“Please,” she beseeched. “Just a few minutes?”

“One would think I would be immune to your wheedling by now.” Sighing, Owen rose, brushing crumbs from his trousers. “You have ten minutes and not a minute more.”

The instant the door closed behind him, Conrad pulled Gigi into his arms.

“Christ, I’ve missed you,” he said.

He sealed his mouth over hers, and his kiss was more expressive than words. With hammering joy, she tasted his hunger and desire for her. Yet it was more than lust. His tender grip on her jaw, as if he were holding something infinitely precious, made her melt against his hard length. She wrapped her arms around his neck, sharing all the love in her heart.

He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against hers.

“You are so bloody sweet,” he said raggedly. “If we don’t stop, I’m going to have you on this settee. And your brother will be back soon.”

Through the haze of passion, she said, “There is another reason why I had to come.”

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“I had a vision of Rose last night. She had blood on her hands…belonging to Thomas. It must have been right after his murder, and she knew the villain was after her too. In the dream, I saw her hide a piece of paper inside the hollow of a tree. The yew tree where you and I first kissed. Do you remember it?”

“Of course.” Conrad’s grin was lazy. “I’ve entertained several fantasies involving you and that tree.”

Blushing, she said, “Owen and I went there, and we found the paper.”

He raised his brows. “What is on it?”

“It’s a special license. Rose and Thomas were married in secret, and guessing from the bloodstains on the paper, they gave their vows just before he died.”

“That is incredible,” he murmured.

“I think Thomas had been asking Rose to marry him, but she was afraid because of their differences in station. In my vision, I felt her regret—how she wished she’d said yes earlier. How she yearned to go back and change her decisions. Because she should have trusted in their love, you see.”

“Would that have made a difference?”

“Perhaps,” Gigi said earnestly. “Perhaps if Rose had married Thomas, she could have convinced him to take her away from Chuddums and start anew. But she was afraid of the differences between them, afraid of how others—her family and the villagers—would react. So she waited until it was too late. By then, Thomas had become convinced that the only way to gain her hand was to battle her past for her. He went to deal with the danger alone, when they should have faced it as a pair, and…well, you know the rest.”

“I think I understand, but I want to hear it from you.” Conrad’s gaze blazed with urgency. “Tell me why you’re here, Gigi.”

“I needed to know that you were safe,” she confessed. “I’ve been so worried since you left. I kept thinking, ‘ What if something happens, and I never told Conrad …’”

“Tell me now,” he coaxed.

Although his words were soft, his face was carved with passionate intensity. All his focus was on her, and instead of being afraid, she gloried in it. Because he was everything to her, too.

“I love you.”

They were the easiest three words to say because they were true. Certainty filled her that no matter what the future held, she was meant to face it with this man. Her love, who was holding her hands tightly as if he feared she might flee or change her mind.

“I love you, Gigi,” he said. “So damned much.”

“I didn’t give you an answer before because I was afraid. But now I’m not,” she said. “I know what I want: a future with you. So the answer is yes…yes, I will marry you, Conrad.”

“You have made me the happiest of men.”

Seeing the smolder in his eyes, she tipped her head back for his kiss.

“Hold the thought. I’ll be right back.”

Bemused, she watched as Conrad hurried out of the room. He returned shortly, and before she could ask where he’d gone, he went down on one knee. Her heart fluttered when she saw what he held: a ring. And not just any ring—the most beautiful, extraordinary, extravagant ring she’d ever seen.

The center stone was a cushion-cut sapphire of at least three carats. What made it unique wasn’t just the clarity and size but also the color: deep violet with hints of royal blue. The rare, vibrant stone was complemented by dazzling, pear-shaped diamonds on either side. Only the finest craftsmanship could have produced the ring’s gold filigree setting, which had a delicate floral pattern. Then she saw the inscription inside the band and gurgled with laughter.

“‘ For my sweet affliction ’?”

“One for which I will never have a cure,” he said tenderly.

“This ring must have cost a fortune.”

“More or less,” he said dryly.

“I adore it!”

“I had a feeling you would.” His expression was intent, as if he were memorizing this moment. “Georgiana Flora Aileen Harrington, will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, please.”

He slid the ring onto her finger. A perfect fit. Then he rose, drawing her close, and the fit of their lips was even more sublime. In fact, it was so sublime that she lost track of everything.

“Today, sweetheart?”

“What about today?” she asked dreamily.

“Will you marry me today?”

She blinked. “Today? That’s too soon?—”

“I want you to be mine,” he said firmly. “There is no point in waiting.”

“Even so, it is impossible?—”

“I have a special license.” He cradled her cheek. “I wanted to be prepared for the moment you said yes.”

Just like Thomas, who’d had a license waiting for Rose. The feeling of inevitability coursed through Gigi, making her heart thump faster.

This was meant to be. I’ve felt it from the beginning. This is fate.

She bit her lip. “But my family…”

“We can have a grand affair for them later, if you wish.” He brought her hand, the one wearing his ring, to his lips. “I will wait if I must, Gigi. But I am ready to start our forever today.”

Her head put up arguments. Would her family forgive her if she said yes? What would this do to her reputation? What would her friends and Society think?

Her heart, however, gave her the answer.

Trust in your love. Protect it. You belong with Conrad.

Giddy with love, she said, “In that case, so am I. Let’s get married.”