Sari Robins (26 page)

Tess blinked as the words sunk in.

She didn’t realize that she’d stood until she saw her hand gripping Sir Lee’s lapel. “Tell me!”

“According to Janelle, after the notices were sent to the papers last night, Miss Whilom got into a terrible row with her parents. Then, just before dawn, her dance instructor climbed into her bedroom and the two took off down the servants’ stairs. The scullery maid spied them and reported the goings-on to Lord Bright. He scrambled to give chase, but was slow to rally and—”

“Is she married or not?” Bills demanded.

Tess’s heart was racing, her mouth dry as dust.
Is it too much to hope? Too propitious to be believed?

Sir Lee’s mouth split into a smile. “Miss Whilom and her instructor are on their way to Gretna Green
and Lord Bright abandoned the chase. The deed is done.”

Swallowing, Tess released Sir Lee’s lapel and sank into a chair, her mind a jumble. “Heath can’t marry Miss Whilom?”

“Of course I can’t marry Penelope!” Heath strode into the chamber, his dear gaze seeking hers. “As I tried to tell you before, I love you and I’m not about to let you tell me who I should or shouldn’t marry. I know you’re upset about the notices but—”

Jumping up, Tess ran into his arms, hugging him so tightly as to never let him go.

“Ah, I’m glad to see you, too,” he murmured in her hair, holding her close. “I suppose this means you’re no longer angry with me?”

She looked up at his beloved face. “I thought I’d lost you.”

He placed his palms on her cheeks and drew her lips close to his. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” His heady kiss banished any remaining doubts from her mind. As she melted into his embrace, Tess was filled with a heavenly joy so profound, she wondered if her feet had left the ground.

“Congratulations, old chap!”

With obvious reluctance, Heath broke the kiss but did not release Tess from his close embrace. Tess’s cheeks burned and she knew that she should be embarrassed about her display in front of Bills and Sir Lee, but she was so happy, she was finding it hard to care.

Bills stepped forward, beaming. “You owe me one
hundred and fifty pounds! But consider it my wedding present to you. Congratulations!”

Breathless, Tess blinked.
Wedding?

Bills motioned to Sir Lee. “This is Sir Lee Devane, by the way. Janelle’s friend who used to work at the Foreign Office.”

Sir Lee bowed. “Mr. Bartlett.”

“He was just telling us that that bugger Reynolds is no more.”

Heath nodded. “So you know.”

“You don’t seem surprised.”

“I met Wheaton. The man’s a cold-hearted snake, but I managed to get the whole sordid tale.” Shaking his head, Heath looked down at Tess. “I don’t know how you deal with those—”

Stopping, Heath pursed his lips. “I’m sorry, Tess, I know you love your work. I know it’s important, and I’m terrifically proud of you for doing it. But I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. It’s grossly unfair of me to ask you to give it up. But I must.”

Furrowing his brow, he went on, “I’m not telling you what to do. It’s not an ultimatum. But I’m
asking
you, as the man who loves you more than anyone else in this world, would you please consider it, for my sake?”

Exhaling, Tess looked deep into those cocoa brown eyes and saw his love and his vulnerability. He was afraid for her, and for their future. She understood
exactly
how he felt. “I choose you.” The words came easily because it was what she wanted.

His mouth fell open. “You do? You can give it all up, for me?”

“You sacrificed your career to save me.”

“But I don’t want you to feel indebted. I want it to be your choice.”

Tess’s heart was filled with gladness and love for this wonderful man. “I love my book business and will miss it terribly. But the spying…I’m ready to move on to other things. What I really want—what I really want is a family. With you.”

Heath expelled a breath as if amazed. Then his handsome face transformed to a look of glowing happiness. He wound his arms around her and hugged her close. “I love you, Tess,” he whispered in her ear.

“I love you, too.” Tess closed her eyes, cherishing his strong embrace, his generous heart, and the way he made her feel so treasured. She inhaled his earthy scent that had grown so dear. “I want to marry you, Heath. Can we…will you marry me?”

“What the blazes are you doing here, Bartlett?” Solicitor-General Dagwood walked into the room. “Lady Golding?”

Reluctantly Tess pulled back, her heart racing, her unanswered question still lingering in the air.

Sir Lee waved his cane. “Ah, you’re finally here, Mr. Dagwood. Thank you for responding to my request.”

Mr. Dagwood’s sharp dark gaze traveled to each person in the room and finally settled on Heath. “I
take it by the woman in your arms that you’ve heard the news.”

Heath’s brow furrowed. “What news?”

“About Miss Whilom running off with her dance instructor.”

Heath’s smile widened. “No, I hadn’t heard. But I can’t say I’m displeased!”

Exhaling, Mr. Dagwood tilted his head. “It seems that my marriage advice to you was wide of the mark, Bartlett.”

Disengaging from Tess, Heath stepped forward with an outstretched hand. “You were only trying to help me, sir. And I greatly appreciate all of your efforts on my behalf.”

Moving closer, Dagwood clasped Heath’s hand and shook it. “It seems I was mistaken about Lady Golding as well. Today I received a visit from a Mr. Wheaton.” Turning to Tess, Dagwood bowed. “My apologies for how I treated you, Lady Golding. In my defense I can only say that I had no notion of your true character and had no idea that you work for the Foreign Office.”

“Worked. I am no longer in that position.” Tess’s gaze met Heath’s, and the love she saw within filled her with a happiness that brought tears of joy to her eyes.

“They sacked you over this?” Dagwood asked.

“No, I’m quitting.” A flicker of disquiet breached her gladness. “Although I don’t know how I’m going to convince Wheaton to let me go.”

Heath’s fists curled. “Oh, I’ll convince him.”

“There’ll be no need for that.” Sir Lee stepped forward, swinging his gold-topped cane. “There comes a time when we need to give our thanks and allow our friends to live the very lives that we work to protect. Besides, Wheaton wants the whole Reynolds business to go away quietly. He won’t cause a problem.”

“But can you keep your book business?” Bills wondered aloud.

Sir Lee’s lips dipped. “I don’t see why not.” He turned to the solicitor-general. “Now, Mr. Dagwood, our meeting is in the next room and we should be moving along.”

Dagwood bowed to Tess. “Lady Golding.” He nodded to the men. “Mr. Smith. I’ll see you in the morning, Bartlett.”

Heath straightened. “I’m not sacked?”

Waving his cane, Dagwood frowned. “I thought we took care of all that. What else do you want? A raise?”

“Ah…That would be nice.”

“Hmm. We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”

Sir Lee’s green eyes twinkled with mischief. “Lady Golding. Mr. Bartlett, Mr. Smith. If not sooner, I’ll surely see you at my great-grandchild’s christening. When that fortuitous day finally arrives,
all
of the members of the Society for Enrichment and Learning will be invited.”

Bills’s eyes widened. “We made it? We’re actually members?”

Sir Lee winked. “You didn’t hear it from me. Janelle
swears I can’t keep a secret.” Chuckling, he and Mr. Dagwood left the room.

Bills raised his fist in triumph. “Yes! Lucy is going to have to eat her words!” Grinning, he wagged his brows. “If you don’t mind, I’m off to the society. I have some crowing to do.”

Tess gave Bills a big hug. “Thank you, Bills. For everything.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Straightening, he slapped Heath on the back. “I couldn’t be happier for you, old boy. And yes, of course, I’ll be your best man. Now I’m off!”

Quiet descended on the library.

Heath pulled Tess back into his arms. She was soft in all the right places as her body molded to his as if made for him. They were perfect together, exactly as they were. No longer the master’s daughter or the tutor’s son, they had grown up into very different people who’d come together to be as one.

As he held her close, Heath felt as if every step he’d taken in his life had brought him to this moment. And he thanked the heavens for leading him here.

Leaning her head on his shoulder, Tess sighed.

Heath inhaled the familiar scents of leather, old books, and the lavender bouquet he’d come to adore. “I love you, Tess.”

She smiled up at him, her beautiful face so radiant that he knew she was as happy as he. “And I love you, Heath.”

Furrowing his brown, he hid his smile. “What was that question you asked me, again?”

Playfully she punched his chest. “I don’t like it when you tease me.”

“Liar.” Then he kissed the spy who’d stolen his heart.