“I did plan to compromise you, just not at Blythe’s.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Thought about when I should do it. I had several opportunities, and dear God, Theodosia, if any woman was begging to be ruined, it was you.”
“You are doing a poor job at apologizing.” She looked away, the pain just as sharp as it had been when reading her brother’s letter. “I had hoped for something better.”
“Just listen.” He brushed her lips with his. “I also wanted you the moment I saw you.Onlyyou. I thought it fated that you were Murphy’s sister. A way of some higher power finally tipping the scales in my favor. A woman I desired who was also the solution to my problems. But I didn’t take the miniature from you that night to compromise you.”
“Then why?”
“I—” His voice grew thick with emotion. “I could not bear the thought of Blythe—or any other man—having you. I wanted it to bemeyou had painted it for. I wanted youin spite ofyou being Murphy’s sister. Had I not felt so deeply for you, I would have compromised you and taken your dowry without a second thought. I planned to be that ruthless. But in the end, I couldn’t. You can thank Lady Blythe for our marriage. And our wedding night, I just assumed—”
“Because of my enthusiasm?”
“Yes. Even you must admit, Theo, that most young ladies wouldn’t immediately take their husband’s cock in their mouth before being bedded for the first time. I assume you either read about it or witnessed it. Somehow.” He lay down beside her so they faced each other.
Theo felt warm and secure next to Haven, the gravelly sound of his voice soothing her.
“Elysium,” she blurted out. “I saw—” Theo felt her cheeks warm. “I snuck onto the second floor with Romy while Leo was otherwise occupied. I opened a door and witnessed—” She paused and cleared her throat as an image of she and Haven possibly doing that flashed before her. “Both parties seemed very pleased. So I thought you meant for me to do it.”
“You neglected to mention that.” He drew his fingers across her cheek, their noses almost touching.
“Just as you neglected to inform me that you blamed my brother for the ruination of your father. I find that more vitally important than whether I saw a woman put a man’s—”
“Cock,” he supplied helpfully.
“I understand why...” She hesitated. “I don’t like it, but I docomprehendwhy you sought to compromise me. But—”
A tremble ran through her as he pressed a tender kiss to the slope of her neck.
“You know, Ambrose, that your anger was directed at the wrong man, don’t you? My brother is hardly a paragon of morality, but even he draws the line at stealing dowries.”
“I do. And I plan to beg humble forgiveness.”
“I doubt you can do that. Be humble. Your pride won’t allow it.”
“Very well, I will at the very leastappealto the duke, tell him that I have come to realize the truth and ask him to reconsider his blatant prickish behavior—”
“I appreciate you apologizing to my family,” she interrupted. Haven might never get on with either of her brothers, but at least she wouldn’t have to worry about them coming to blows over dinner. “What will you do with Erasmus? Impersonating a marquess must be some sort of a crime. My brother is a duke. So is Granby. Surely they can both ensure justice will be done.”
“He’ll be a guest of the constable for the next few days. After which Erasmus will be going to Australia. I’ll write to Estwood in the morning. He has property there. I’d rather not drag this matter out. No one remembers my uncle, and I’d like to keep it that way.” Haven had started to nibble down her throat in the most distracting manner.
“I see.” The word crested upward as his hand cupped the underside of one breast. “I didn’t realize Erasmus had any aspirations to visit Australia.”
“Neither did he.” He toyed with her nipple. “Stay with me. Always.”
“Do you promise,” she murmured, her pulse fluttering in her neck, “that going forward, we will have honesty? Not to be wretched. Impossible. Difficult.”
“I can promise you honesty.” The grip on her breast became possessive. “But I can’t offer youanyof those other things. I will always be impossible. Blunt.Wretched.”
“You’re ruining it,” she whispered, though he wasn’t, not really.
“But I can offer up my heart.” His voice grew raspy and rough as he pressed his lips against her throat. “Which admittedly isn’t my best feature, but it belongs to you, nonetheless.” He turned her head and brushed his lips gently against hers. “You haveneverbeen second best. Never odd. Never to me. In my sky,youare the brightest star, dazzling me with your brilliant light.”
A tear ran down her cheek and she wiped it away. “I suppose that was acceptable groveling.”
He ran a finger along her jaw before pressing his forehead to hers. “Iloveyou, Theo. If you believe nothing else, I beg you to believe that.”
Epilogue
The Duke of Averell frowned down the long table gracing the dining room, his gaze alighting on the sight of theparasitedemolishing a plate of food as if he hadn’t eaten in days.
