Midnight Angel (Stokehurst #1)(63)

“And later on I considered what you'd said. Much as I hated to admit it, you were right.” His mouth took on a self-mocking curve. “It's not easy keeping all my vices in check. Occasionally I need someone to point out when I'm being a stubborn fool.”

“I can do that,” Tasia said helpfully.

“Good.” He shifted positions, pulling her closer. “There'll be other arguments. I'll be arrogant and pigheaded, and you'll take me to task for it. We'll probably have some royal rows. But don't ever doubt that I love you.”

All too soon their idyll came to an end, and they faced the necessity of returning to Southgate Hall. “Couldn't we have another day?” Tasia asked wistfully as they strolled through a cool green meadow.

Luke shook his head. “I wish we could. But we've stayed away long enough. I have responsibilities—including a wedding to arrange. As far as I'm concerned, we're already married in the eyes of God. But I'd like to be married in the eyes of the courts as well.”

Tasia frowned. “I'm going to be married, and my family doesn't know. By now they're aware that I'm alive, but they have no idea where I am. I wish there was some way I could assure them I'm safe and happy.”

“No. That would make it easy for Nikolas Angelovsky to find you.”

“I wasn't asking for your permission,” Tasia said, annoyed by his refusal. “I only made an idle comment.”

“Well, put the idea out of your head,” he said brusquely. “I don't intend to spend the rest of my life waiting for Angelovsky to appear on my doorstep—but until I can think of something better, you'll keep your identity secret, and you won't communicate with your family.”

Tasia pulled her hand from his. “You needn't speak to me as if I were one of your servants. Or is that the way an English husband addresses his wife?”

“I'm only concerned for your safety,” Luke said mildly, his arrogance vanishing in an instant. He looked as innocent as a lamb—but Tasia wasn't fooled. He might try to conceal his domineering qualities now, but once they were married she would legally be his property, much as his horse was. It wouldn't be easy to manage him. But she was looking forward to the challenge.

The first thing Luke and Tasia did when they returned to Southgate Hall was find Emma and tell her they were to be married. As soon as she saw the two of them standing together, with Luke's arm around Tasia's waist, Emma seemed to understand everything in a flash.

Tasia had hoped Emma would be pleased by the news—in fact, she was fairly certain Emma would be very happy—but Emma's wild excitement far exceeded her expectations. The girl scampered back and forth across the great hall with boisterous screams, hugging anyone who crossed her path. Samson went into a similar paroxysm of joy, erupting into deep-throated barks as he bounded after Emma. “I knew you would come back,” Emma cried, nearly knocking Tasia to the floor. “I knew you would tell Papa yes! He saw me the morning before you both left, and he told me that you were going to marry him, even though you didn't know it yet.”

“He did?” Tasia gave Luke a shaming glance, her dark brows lowering over her pale eyes.

Luke pretended not to notice her silent rebuke, concentrating his own glare at Samson. The dog was rolling enthusiastically on the floor, scattering hair across the Aubusson carpet. “Why is it that every time I leave, I return to find this damned animal in the house?”

“Samson isn't an animal, he's part of the family,” Emma said defensively, and added on a gleeful note. “And now so is Miss Billings! Will we have to find a new governess now? I won't like anyone else half so well.”

“Yes, we'll have to find a new one. Miss Billings can't be Lady Stokehurst and your governess at the same time.” He glanced at Tasia, as if judging how much activity she could withstand. “She'd drop from exhaustion within a week.”

Although there was no sexual implication in his words, Tasia blushed, recalling how tired she had been after two nights of his lovemaking. Luke grinned as if he knew what she was thinking. “Now that you're no longer in my employ, Miss Billings, you'd better have Mrs. Knaggs show you to one of the guest rooms.”

“My old room is perfectly fine,” Tasia murmured.

“Not for my bride-to-be.”

“But I don't want—”

“Emma,” Luke interrupted, “choose a guest room for Miss Billings, and tell Seymour where her belongings are to be carried. And inform the housekeeper to have another place set at the table tonight. From now on Miss Billings will be taking her meals with us.”

“Yes, Papa!” Emma scampered away with Samson at her heels.

Left alone with Luke, Tasia frowned at him. “I hope you don't plan to visit me tonight,” she whispered sharply, knowing that was exactly what he intended.

He smiled at her, his blue eyes wicked. “I told you I don't like to sleep alone.”

“I've never heard of such an indecent arrangement!” She resisted as he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “My lord! One of the servants will see—”

“Even if we keep to our own beds, everyone will assume we're together. We may as well enjoy ourselves. As long as we're discreet, no one will think the worse of us.”