Make Me Love You (37 page)

“I’ll buy you as many horses as you want. You don’t need to push me to sleep with other women to get them.”

It took a moment for her to grasp what he’d just said, but then she smiled. “So you can tolerate me now?”

“You’re going to be my wife.”

Such a wonderful statement. Her smile widened. But he was straightening her clothes, making her realize they were home. He helped her out of the coach and walked her to the door, but then he turned to leave!

“Where are you going?” she asked with a frown.

He paused. “Not where you think. Sweet dreams, Babble.”

Her dreams were likely to be more than sweet now. They were likely to be a conclusion of what they’d been doing in that coach! She was still smiling to herself as she entered the house. Just two more days . . .

B
ROOKE OVERSLEPT THE NEXT
morning. She wasn’t even surprised after all that dancing and even drinking champagne for the first time with her mother. But she felt wonderful, as if a weight had been lifted from her. That silly bargain was over, Dominic hadn’t slept with other women, and he’d finally assured her that they
would
be married.

Alfreda’s bringing in a tray of food had awakened Brooke, and when the maid saw the smile on her lips, she said, “So you enjoyed yourself last night, did you?”

“It was a magical night.” At least the ending was! “I think Dominic and I are going to be more’n just friends now.”

Alfreda chuckled. “See? You worried over nothing. At least I don’t need to look for that herb now.”

Brooke laughed at the jest. “No, I definitely don’t want him rendered—incapable!”

At the knock at the door Alfreda turned. “That will be your bathwater arriving, so come and eat. I was told to dress you for your wedding today and there’s barely two hours to spare now.”

Brooke’s eyes flared. “You could have said that sooner! Did I sleep through one whole day?”

“No. And, no, I don’t know why you’re getting married sooner than you thought. You’ll have to ask your wolf.”

Brooke smiled to herself, remembering what had happened last night on the way home from the ball. That pretty much explained to her why she was getting married today. Dominic must not want to wait any longer for their wedding night either!

The next two hours were hectic, but Brooke couldn’t have been more thrilled. She even had a wedding gown to wear, one her mother had insisted on having made for her at the same time as the rest of her new wardrobe. An elaborate white muslin with a slight train and a tucker dotted with seed pearls. The attached long cloak was bordered in puffy silk flowers.

Harriet had expected her to be married soon after her Season, or at least engaged to be, which is why she had the gown for this wedding. Such high hopes her mother had had. She probably should have invited Harriet despite the animosity she would receive in this house. As happy as Brooke was now, she might have, if the wedding were still set for Sunday. Ah, well. Even if the Wolfes had proven gracious about it, Brooke might not have been, so it was as well that it was too late now.

Dominic came to fetch her, looking every inch a lord of the realm despite the feral gleam in his eyes. Anticipation on his part? Imagining their wedding night—or day? The gleam was so bright he might take her straight to bed after the ceremony! But it was time to leave, or so she thought. He led her down the corridor instead to his mother’s room. But Brooke knew Anna wasn’t well enough yet to go to a church.

Brooke slowed down, causing him to pause. “You’re finally
getting cold feet? You should have said so before I sent for the priest.”

“You sent for one? Then we’re not going to be married in a church?”

“My mother wants to bear witness. I saw no reason not to oblige her.”

Married at a bedside? After seeing how grand St. George’s church was on her brief tour of London, she was a bit disappointed that she wouldn’t be married there. But she hid it and merely said lightly, “If I’d known we were wedding at home, I would have worn something less fancy.”

“Nonsense. It’s still your wedding. And you look exceptionally lovely.”

She smiled. She was marrying this man today. Did it really matter where? And maybe he would tell her how much he wanted her if she mentioned the apparent rush?

“Why is this happening today instead of Sunday?”

“Because the Regent was in attendance last night and is aware that I’m no longer suffering from my wound. It’s possible he might visit today or send his man to claim we have forfeited by not marrying as soon as I was recovered. But whether he does or not, I see no reason to wait any longer. Do you?”

She certainly didn’t, but that certainly wasn’t what she’d just hoped to hear. She shook her head, giving him another smile as he led her the rest of the way to Anna’s room. But when he opened the door and waited for her to precede him, she didn’t move another step.

“What’s
she
doing here?” she whispered.

“I sent a note this morning.”

“Without asking me?”

“I thought you would be pleased.”

“I thought you wouldn’t want her in your house.”

Sitting at bedside and even laughing at something Anna had just said was Brooke’s mother. It appeared Dominic had done exactly what she’d thought of doing herself this morning, sending off a belated note. And Anna was smiling. So Brooke had been wrong that there would be animosity with more Whitworths present at the wedding. Both Wolfes were going to be more than gracious about it.

Dominic leaned close to whisper, “Last chance, Babble.”

Was he
really
going to keep calling her that? And he could say that with her mother there? She glanced at him and saw the amusement on his face. He’d just teased her about the worst possible subject. If he could do that, it must mean he was no longer opposed to their joining. But then an old doubt resurfaced: they were down to the last few minutes, so he had no choice.

Thank God her father wasn’t there, too, to bear witness. Robert would have gotten thrashed at the door. Too bad he didn’t try to get in. She would have liked to see that. A splendid wedding gift for her . . . even her thoughts were babbling.

Harriet came forward to take her hand. “I’m not going to say you look beautiful because that wouldn’t do you justice, precious. You do look magnificent in that gown, though.”

Harriet was grinning. Teasing from both camps today? Brooke was feeling outnumbered.

“Father wasn’t invited?” she asked as soon as Dominic continued forward to greet his mother.

“Oh, he was,” Harriet replied. “I think he actually wanted to come, at least to meet the groom. But this trip to London undid him. He hasn’t left his bed since we got here. But
speaking of bedridden, Anna told me she’s made a remarkable recovery from her illness, thanks to you.”

Brooke raised a brow. “You were already acquainted with Anna?”

“How could I not be when we both socialize in this town? I admit, though, that I was expecting the animosity you mentioned. I hadn’t seen her since the duels. Does she know why her son wanted to kill mine?”

“Yes.”

“Then she’s being duplicitous, treating me as if nothing has happened?”

“I don’t think so. She’s tasked me with making her son happy. I believe that’s more important to her now than any grudge.”

“A wise choice, making the best of it. But is that what you want?”

For him to be happy? Brooke had thought of it as a goal, that it would bring about peace between them. But she realized now she did want him to be happy. Oh, good grief, she was in love, wasn’t she? Caught in her own snare!

As to her mother’s question, she said, “Yes, it would be nice if we could both be happy.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m sorry I’m late,” the priest said behind them, and ushered them both farther into the room so they could get the ceremony started.

“T
ELL ME I
’
M NOT
too late!”

The door’s bursting open was loud enough, but the crestfallen expression on the intruding lady’s face did more to startle Brooke, shut up the priest, and cause a few gasps. At first, Brooke thought she was one of Dominic’s former mistresses who’d come to object to the wedding. But then she recognized the exceptionally handsome woman from her encounter with her the other day in the Wolfes’ entrance hall.

“No,” Anna answered from the bed. “You’re just in time, Eleanor—if you bring good news?”

Eleanor laughed in relief. “The best, m’dear.”

“Duchess,” Dominic said with a formal bow. “Always good to see you, but Mother didn’t mention you wanted to attend my wedding.”

“Because I don’t, dear boy. I have instead made sure you don’t have one. You can thank me in the usual fashion, a dozen roses, a bauble, and, oh, I love candy.”

The woman seemed absolutely delighted to have said all
that, either unaware of the shock she’d just delivered or pleased because of it. Theatrics? Maybe the duchess was an actress?

But Dominic’s frown said he wasn’t pleased by her cryptic statements. “Explain, if you would?”

“Let me,” Anna said. “I might have misled you, Dom, to think I was acquiescent to this match—”

“Might have?” he cut in.

Anna winced a little. “It was good of Lady Brooke to aid in my recovery, but I’m sorry, I still can’t bear the thought of my grandchildren having Whitworth blood. So I asked my dearest friend to intervene and offer the Prince a different alternative.”

Eleanor rolled her eyes with a chuckle before saying to Dominic, “George owes me money, so he wouldn’t dare not receive me this morning or give careful thought to our suggestion. And I sweetened the incentive by mentioning that you and the Whitworth girl like each other and will indeed marry, so he will get nothing, no money, no property. But if he releases you from this forced marriage prior to its happening, then you’ll donate your coal mines to his coffers and sign a pledge not to engage in any more duels with Robert Whitworth. He agreed on the spot, of course. I knew he would.”

Brooke was too stunned to speak, too stunned to think!

But Dominic wasn’t and turned his eyes back to his mother. “I thought you understood you were no longer to make decisions for me. Why didn’t you tell me about this plan before you set it in motion?”

“I didn’t want to get your hopes up if it didn’t work, but it did, and you can’t deny you aren’t relieved to be done with that despicable family.”

“Regardless—”

“That’s quite enough insults,” Harriet cut in sharply.
“Thank you, Anna, for giving me back my daughter. She deserves much better than you lot.”

In high dudgeon, Harriet pulled Brooke out of there. No one stopped her, certainly not Dominic. He was free. He might be annoyed with his mother for not consulting him, but he had to be rejoicing nonetheless. Or he would have stopped her, would have told the duchess no thank you, would have married Brooke today despite his mother’s interference . . .

Brooke was in shock or she would have said something to him—congratulations, good-bye, something. She didn’t hate him, and they were well acquainted after spending two weeks together. But tears were just under the surface. A single word would have spilled them and she didn’t want to leave his house that way.

“I will send the coach back for your things. We’re not staying here another moment,” Harriet said on the way downstairs.

Gabriel was in the lower hall and smiled at Brooke, “Ah, the beautiful bride. But Lady Wolfe, why are you leaving?”

Before Brooke could reply, Harriet said angrily, “Don’t insult us by calling her that! She’s still a Whitworth.” Then Harriet snapped at the butler as he opened the front door for them, “Tell my daughter’s maid to pack everything of hers and be ready to depart within the hour. Make that fifteen minutes, so send some servants up to help her.”

Brooke still didn’t say a word. She ought to mention the mare Dominic had bought for her. Alfreda didn’t know about it, but another time would do. She needed to cry, to wash away what she was feeling, but not in front of Harriet. Her mother wouldn’t be the least bit sympathetic and was making a lot of scathing remarks about Anna Wolfe and Wolfes in general. She did seem angry about what had just happened.