The Irresistible Rogue (Playful Brides #4)(89)

Rafe and Daphne sat down again while Cass took charge of the silence. “Well, now. Enough crying. This should be a happy occasion. Donald would want as much.”

They all nodded.

“Agreed,” Julian said. “We must plan how we’ll go about making your marriage appear to have been planned all along. We’ll have a wedding for appearance’s sake.”

“And Mother’s sake,” Daphne added.

“Precisely. We’ll pretend as if the first marriage never happened,” Julian said.

“I don’t care what we do as long as we can tell everyone we’re married.” Daphne squeezed Rafe’s hand.

Rafe kissed her atop the head. “Don’t worry, darling, no one will ever pull us apart. Besides, we already—”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Julian said, putting up a hand, palm first. “Please spare me.”

Rafe gave him a devilish grin and so did Daphne. Cass giggled.

“I was only going to say that we already got permission from the War Office to use the True Love for our honeymoon. We’re sailing off,” Rafe said.

“To France?” Lucy asked.

Rafe shook his head. “No, not France. I don’t care if I ever see that country again.”

A muted gasp came from the other side of the door.

“Delilah,” Daphne called. “You might as well come in. I know you’re there.”

A few seconds passed before the door opened and Delilah came marching in. She was wearing her pink ballet costume and had a triumphant smile upon her face.

She took a seat on the settee next to Daphne and grinned at the married couple.

“Don’t you look like the cat who ate the canary?” Daphne said, unable to repress her smile.

Delilah clasped her hands together near her cheek. “Oh, j’adore a happy ending and I just want to state for the record that I did it. I did it all!” She stood quickly and performed a pirouette.

Daphne’s mouth fell open. She plunked her hands on her hips. “What did you do, you little urchin?”

Delilah curtsied to her, lifting the edges of her skirt daintily. “Why, I chased away that abominable Lord Fitzwell, of course, and ensured that you and Captain Cavendish were together. Though I’ll admit Aunt Willie helped a bit, but I was quite instrumental.”

“And ever so modest,” Cass said with a laugh, taking a sip of her tea.

“Why should I be modest? I’m exceedingly proud of myself,” Delilah replied, her nose in the air.

“As you should be,” Rafe added with a laugh.

Delilah beamed at him. “Merci beaucoup, Capitaine.”

Lucy’s brows shot up. “I do believe I’ve discovered my own little disciple,” Lucy said. She patted Delilah on the hand. “You’re already quite good at plotting things, dear, and you’re only twelve. Just imagine the trouble you could get up to when you’re our age.”

“It boggles the mind to consider,” Daphne said.

Derek stood. “I was waiting till all was settled before I mentioned this, but I had an interesting audience with Wellington and the Prince Regent earlier today.”

Daphne’s eyes went wide. “What did they say?”

Derek bowed and spread his hand out in front of Rafe. “Meet the newest viscount of the realm, my lady.”

Rafe shot Daphne a sly look and grinned. “It’s true.”

Daphne clapped her hands. “Oh, Rafe. You’re a viscount now? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Rafe shrugged. “Apparently, torture and heroics will get you a viscountcy these days. And I didn’t say anything because I wanted your brother to accept me as your husband without a viscountcy. The same way you did, my love.”

“Ha. Now you’ll have to accept us blue bloods, Cavendish,” Julian said with a laugh, clapping his new brother-in-law on the shoulder.

“The official reason for the title was for bringing justice to the Earl of Swifdon’s killers,” Derek said. “And there are lands and monies that come with it.”

“I insisted upon being a spy viscount of course,” Rafe replied. “At least, I intend to help whenever I can, but I think I’ll stick to English soil from now on. I may be expected to spend my time at gentlemen’s clubs, but I’ll feel useful if I’m able to help here in London.”

“What did the Prince Regent say about that?” Daphne asked.

“He said he thought it was perfect because he could use a member of the aristocracy who is a spy and whose wife just happens to speak Russian,” Rafe replied.

“I quite agree with him. We are a fine combination,” Daphne said with a laugh, clutching her husband’s hand to her side.

Rafe turned to her, his face solemn. “I explained to the prince that you were the real hero, Daphne. He said as you’re already a lady and married to me, that shall suffice. Though he does agree you should be rewarded with a medal for your bravery.”

Daphne leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “I don’t want a medal or a viscountcy. All I ever wanted was you.”

Delilah sighed dramatically. “Ah, amour.”

“But it’s you who should be knighted,” Rafe insisted to Daphne.

“I am already a lady. And now you are a lord.”