Whirlwind Wedding

diamonds. 'It's a ring,' she breathed staring wide-eyed at the glittering gem. 'Good heavens, it's extraordinary.'

Just like you. The thought popped into his mind startling him, but he couldn't deny its truth. She was extraordinary-and in ways that had nothing to do with her physical beauty. In ways that confused him and left him unsettled.

Removing the gem from its velvet perch, he slid it on the third finger of her left hand. 'It's part of a collection that's been in the family for generations. I chose it because the color reminded me of your eyes.' The most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.

Staring at the ring, she slowly moved her hand and stared at the glimmering shafts the stone threw off in the firelight. Then she raised those eyes to his. Tears shimmered on her lashes and he feared she was going to cry. Instead she leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek.

'Thank you, Austin. It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. I'll treasure it always.'

His insides squeezed tightly together at the emotion in her voice. That now familiar warmth he always seemed to experience whenever she was near assailed him-a sensation he couldn't name other than to dub it the 'Elizabeth feeling.'

God. She possessed a sweetness, an innocence, he'd truly believed couldn't exist in a woman over the age of ten. She was kindhearted. Generous and giving. He was none of that. His failures regarding William proved it.

He stared at her for a long moment, imagining her as a bride. His bride. A disturbing thought hit him, and he frowned. She was going along with all his plans without question or complaint, and he'd never once considered that she might want the sort of lavish wedding women dreamed of. Shame filled him at his selfishness. 'Are you all right, Austin?'

'It has just occurred to me that this informal, whirlwind wedding may not be exactly what you've always dreamed of.'

A gentle smile touched her lips. 'All my wedding dreams have always revolved around the man I'd someday marry, not the pomp and circumstance of an elaborate ceremony. Two weeks after my parents met outside the millinery shop, they eloped and were married by a ship's captain at sea. It doesn't matter how you marry. What matters is whom you marry.'

Not quite sure how to respond he gathered her into his arms and buried his face in her fragrant hair, savoring her warmth for a moment. Then, after pressing a quick kiss on her forehead he stepped away from her. 'We should rejoin the others.'

While they walked slowly back to the drawing room together, she said, 'I suppose you realize that I'm quite unnerved about becoming a duchess.'

'I'm afraid it's unavoidable given our intention to marry.'

She sighed. 'Things would have been much better, much simpler, if you'd just been a gardener. Or perhaps a merchant.'

He halted and stared at her. 'I beg your pardon?'

'Oh, I meant no offense. It's just that our lives would be much less… complicated if you did not possess such a lofty title.'

'You'd prefer to marry a merchant? Or a gardener?'

'No. I'd prefer to marry you. You'd just be simpler to marry if you were a gardener.'

For the first time it really hit him that perhaps she would be happier married to a merchant. While she was respectful of his title, she was clearly unimpressed by it. Yet the mere thought of her married to someone else, in another man's arms, pumped hot jealousy through him.

Forcing a lightness he didn't feel into his voice, he asked 'And if I were a merchant? You'd still marry me?'

Laying her palm against his cheek, she regarded him through serious eyes. 'Yes, Austin. I'd still marry you.'

Confusion assailed him. He'd half expected a teasing answer from her, but she'd surprised him-as she often did. Damn it, how did she consistently manage to throw him off center?

'Although your mother, Caroline, and Aunt Joanna have pledged to help me, I'm very unclear about exactly what a duchess does.'

Gathering himself, he offered her a smile. 'It's a very simple job. All she has to do is keep her duke happy.'

She laughed. 'How nice. For you. And how does she go about keeping her duke happy?'

His gaze wandered slowly down her long, lush body. 'You won't have any trouble, I promise you.' He intended to show her exactly how to keep her duke happy on their wedding night.

He wondered how the hell he would manage to wait that long.

While Elizabeth spent the next day ensconced or, he imagined trapped in the sunny library with his mother, Caroline, Lady Penbroke, and the seamstresses, Austin labored over the accounts for his Surrey estate.

By late afternoon, the rows of numbers swam before his tired eyes, and when he heard the knock on his study door, he gratefully surrendered his quill.

'Come in.'

Miles entered, closing the door behind him. 'Well, I must say, Austin, you are full of surprises.'

He pretended confusion. 'Indeed? And here I thought I was rather dull and predictable.'

'Anything but, old boy. First you send me off to London to gather information about Miss Matthews. Then you summon me back here to attend your wedding to the woman.' Miles strolled over to the desk and made a great show of studying Austin. 'Hmmm. You appear quite fit, no outward signs of insanity such as jumping uncontrollably about or screaming obscenities. Therefore I can only assume this whirlwind wedding indicates you've either fallen madly, passionately in love…' His voice trailed off and he raised his brows.

Unwelcome heat crept up Austin's neck. 'The carriage ride clearly addled your brain.'

'Or,' Miles continued as if he hadn't spoken, 'you ruined the girl.' He paused then nodded. 'I see. Couldn't keep your hands off her, eh?'

'She saved my life.'

Miles stilled. 'Excuse me?'

Austin brought him up to date on the events of the past several days. When he finished Miles shook his head.

'Good God Austin. You're lucky to be in one piece.' Reaching across the desk, Miles clasped his shoulder. 'We all owe Miss Matthews a debt of gratitude.'

'I certainly do.'

A devilish gleam sparkled in Miles's eyes. 'I'll wager you're thankful it wasn't a Digby daughter who found you injured.'

A shudder passed through him. 'God yes.'

'Which makes me wonder… how did Miss Matthews manage to find you?'

Before Austin could think up a plausible explanation for something that had no plausible explanation, Miles held out his hands. 'Never mind. Clearly you'd planned an assignation. I do not need the details.'

'Er, good.' He cleared his throat. 'Now tell me, what did you find out about Miss Matthews?'

Miles settled himself in the comfortable wing chair next to Austin's desk. Extracting a small leather notebook from his pocket, he consulted his notes. 'My inquiries confirmed that she arrived in London on January third of this year aboard The Starseeker. As luck would have it, The Starseeker was in port for repairs and I spoke to her captain, Harold Beacham.

'According to Captain Beacham, Miss Matthews was a delightful passenger. She never complained even when they encountered rough seas. Along with her companion, she often joined him on deck in the evenings to view the stars. She was very knowledgeable about astronomy, and he enjoyed her company.'

He shot Austin a wink. 'I believe he entertained some romantic notions toward your fiancee.'