“A new day won’t change anything.” Sephy clenched her jaw. “My mind is set.”
The countess sighed. “Then I can only pray that the duke has more sense.”
***
“You summoned me?” Hunter wasn’t feeling very charitable at the moment toward anyone, even if he was in the company of the king. After a night drowning his sorrows at White’s where Darwood had to suffer his personal trials, his head was splitting, his vision blurry, and his stomach rather queasy.
By the time he’d finally made it home at the early light of dawn, he’d had but two hours of sleep before he received the missive on royal stationery requesting his presence. So now, here he was, back in his father’s personal sitting room.
While the monarch’s expression turned rather displeased, he said evenly, “I suppose We deserved that. The last time you were in Our company, We weren’t very responsive to your request.” He paused. “However, in light of recent developments, We’re inclined to discuss new terms regarding your choice of bride.”
Hunter snorted. “So it took Lord Gregory swiving the queen for you to believe me?”
“I would be cautious how you speak of Her Royal Highness in such a deplorable manner!” the king snapped.
Hunter set his hands on his hips and hung his head, contrite. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to disparage the queen. I’m merely… overset.”
“Then I have some news that will likely improve your spirits,” the king returned, although his voice was less harsh than before, his anger was still palpable. “Thanks to the witness testimonies of Lord Darwood and Lady Virsage, Lord Gregory is being held in the Tower for treason and will be executed within a sennight. And since he was the one holding all the markers for Miss Welton’s mother, she is being held at Newgate until her debts are paid, which, I imagine will be quite some time as her monies owed were rather substantial.”
Hunter stilled. Lord Gregory’s demise was the one thing he’d wanted to hear for the past six years. But now that the moment of reckoning had finally arrived, he could only think of Persephone. “What of my request to wed Miss Welton?”
The king sniffed. “I suppose We owe you a boon for keeping Her Royal Highness out of the scandal sheets, so if you truly wish to marry your mistress, We shall condone the match.”
After that revelation, Hunter had to grasp hold of the mantel in order to remain upright. “Thank you, Father,” he said quietly.
When the king didn’t reply, he glanced up to see that he was staring into the fire.
“You may go now.”
Hunter quit the room, but he realized that while George hadn’t returned any sort of sentiment, the emotion had been there on his face. And as he left the palace, Hunter’s steps were lighter than they had been in months. Even his earlier ailments had subsided, for there was only thing left to do.
A short time later, after making a quick stop, he rapped on the front door of the countess’ house and was shown into her sitting room. He thought it was a rather odd that he would be led to her private domain, but he soon realized why.
She didn’t mince words when he entered. “You’re here for Persephone?”
“I am.”
“Good.” The lady was sitting in a chair with a book in hand, but she gestured toward the connecting room. “You will find her in there.”
Hunter inclined his head, but didn’t waste any more time.
***
Sephy was sitting near the window, staring at the slight breeze that ruffled the trees outside when the door opened behind her. She thought it was Charlotte coming to talk to her again, so she sighed heavily. “Nothing you say will make me change my mind,” she said firmly.
“Are you sure of that?”
She spun around with a gasp. Instantly, her body responded to the towering presence in her room, but she pushed it aside. She would stay strong. She could not crumble in front of him. “There’s nothing else to say, Your Grace.”
His mouth tightened at the formality, but he walked forward nonetheless. “I disagree.” His eyes swept her form. “Now you can return with me, or I can carry you. It’s your choice.”
Her mouth fell open slightly. “You wouldn’t dare!”
For reply, he merely smirked and closed the last of the distance between them. But before he could reach out and grab her, she jumped off the sill and rushed out of his reach. “Are you mad?” she screeched.
“Only for you,” he said. “Now stop this foolishness and come home.”
Home. It was that single word that turned her breathing harsh. All of the fight left her, leaving behind a hollow shell of misery. “Please leave, Hunter. Just go.”
“Not without you.”
“Why must you insist on tormenting me further?” she cried. “It devastated me to leave you, but I couldn’t allow you to—”
“While I don’t appreciate the fact you put me through hell yesterday—” He interrupted with a lift of his brow. “I’m here to give you a chance to redeem yourself. Marry me and I’ll be willing to forgive you.”
She clenched her fists. “That’s impossible.”
“No. It’s not.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a piece of parchment. “I have a special license right here.”
Her mouth fell open slightly. “But…”
He tucked it away as he said, “The king was rather grateful that the queen’s name wasn’t splattered all over the gossip rags, so he granted my request. So it appears that the single thing standing in my way of making you my duchess — is you.”
For a moment, silence filled the room, and then Sephy broke down. She fell to her knees and covered her face with her hands as sobs wracked her body. “Is this a dream?” she whispered.
He knelt beside her and removed her hands from her face, gently wiping away her tears. “It’s better than a dream. This is our life, our reality. Say that you’ll be my wife.”
With a
