Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom(76)

He’d made a silent promise on the spot—one that had more meaning to him than the empty vows they’d just exchanged—that he would do his best never to injure her. Regardless of how long they were fated to be together, he’d never leave her without protection and financial standing. Justine was an innocent, much as his mother had once been before his father ruined her. Griffin could no more cast his new wife aside than he could return to the type of life he’d lived before running off to London all those years ago.

But, for however long they remained under the same roof, Griffin also had every intention of enjoying his bride. While he had never anticipated marriage figuring into his life, he was no fool. By any measure, Justine was a prize worth winning, and Griffin knew more about winning than any man in London.

“And how does it feel to be a married man, Cousin?” queried Aden St. George, strolling up to him with a goblet of champagne in each hand. “Trust you to take the unconventional route, as always. Marrying the daughter of Edward Brightmore—that’s a twist, even for you. I can’t wait to hear what the gossips make of this.” He punctuated his words with a gently mocking smile.

“Oh, that’s rich,” Griffin responded, “given the scandal you and Vivien created when you got married. I wasn’t the one who pummeled a mad Russian prince right in front of the ambassador and half the ton. Compared to that, Justine and I hardly merit a mention.”

Aden’s smile slid into a grin, obviously recalling the wild scene the night he’d rescued Lady Vivien Shaw from a forced engagement to Prince Ivan Khovansky, a wealthy and influential member of a powerful Russian family. Griffin and several of his men had been on hand that night as well, lending aid in the form of muscle. He’d been glad to help because he found Vivien a courageous and admirable woman deserving of a happy life.

But as far as Griffin was concerned, it would have been an enjoyable escapade if for no other reason than he’d helped destroy the reputation of one of the more repugnant versions of a species he most loved to hate—princes. Any time he had the opportunity to stick his thumb in the eye of royalty he was more than willing to do so.

“That’s not what I heard,” Aden replied. “Did the lovely Mrs. Steele really pull a pistol on Mulborne? I’m convinced Dominic had to be exaggerating on that little tidbit.”

Griffin mentally blinked at hearing Justine referred to as Mrs. Steele. That would take some getting used to.

“She did,” he said, plucking a glass from Aden’s hand. “She told me she would have fired it, too. She was that annoyed by the pig’s insulting manner.”

“Ah, so she is her father’s daughter, then. No wonder Dominic trusts her.”

Griffin frowned. He’d met Ned Brightmore a few times and knew from Dominic that he’d been one of the most daring agents in the Service. Some would say daring to the point of recklessness. If anything, Justine struck him as an excessively cautious woman intent on leading a quiet life that allowed her to fade into the background. But he supposed she did have elements of her father in her, given her foolishly courageous decision to protect Patience, destroying her own reputation in the process. That sounded exactly like something Brightmore would have done.

And then there was the impulsive kiss they’d shared last evening in his study. Her response to him at first had been shy and tentative, the kiss of an innocent. But something had quickly flared between them, promising of hidden depths of sensuality and passion. That had startled him as much as he suspected it had her.

His gaze drifted to Justine again. She was smiling now as she talked with Vivien and Lady Thornbury, Aden’s mother. Some of the color had returned to her fair complexion, and her bronze-burnished hair, gathered in a loose coiffure that allowed tempting tendrils to curl around her white neck, glowed in the soft light cast by the lamps. Her close-fitting, simple gray gown beautifully outlined her figure, more than hinting at the garden of delights encased in a petite but sweetly generous package.