Simon ignored his sarcasm. He’d have plenty of time to convince her that they’d be an excellent match. He’d convince her that not only did he love her but he was determined to devote all of his days to making her happy.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Keep your wife from charging to her friend’s rescue for a few days.”
St. Aldwyn chuckled. “You do not know my wife very well. Come to think of it, my wife may even be delighted at the news.”
“Well then, let us hope for that outcome.”
“And De Roux?”
Simon turned serious. “You must keep the guise that she is still in residence. If we are lucky, we shall pull the wool over his eyes, if not, I suspect I’ll have much more than the likes of him to contend with on our tail anyway.”
“Why not take your screaming bride abroad for a honeymoon?”
Simon heaved a sigh. “I would, but she’d never leave her friends to face what she believes is her own mess.”
St. Aldwyn nodded. “These women we’ve chosen are as headstrong as they come.”
Something told him that neither of them would have chosen any differently. “Somehow I cannot see you with a timid miss that insists on keeping her own quarters.”
St. Aldwyn flinched. “That would be my worst nightmare.”
Simon chuckled. Indeed.
In about three hours, Belle would be sound asleep and his plan would be set in motion. He would not stop until she belonged to him completely—in every sense of the word. It may take time, but he was confident he’d steal her heart, just as he was about temporarily to steal her freedom.
Though he knew he might get clogged over the head for his effort.
