Wicked Temptation (Regency Sinners 6)(41)

All The Sinners had hoped Angelique would be found to be as innocent as their own wives, despite Titus’s own investigations having confirmed that there were indeed only eight ladies who had been present at all the balls where the treasonous information had been passed to another French spy. Even Wessex’s threat to kill the person who had dared to harm his beloved Jocelyn had now been forgotten in the knowledge that person was Stonewell’s wife.

He sighed heavily. “Nik is now on his way to his estate to deal with the matter.”

“I am so very sorry for that.” Tears glistened in Pru’s expressive eyes. “He must be devastated.”

“Yes.” There was no avoiding acknowledging his friend’s feelings of betrayal. “I expect he and the duchess will return to London in the next few days, and she will be arrested and tried for her crimes.”

“So it’s all over? Really over?”

Titus nodded. “Once the duchess has given up the names of her cohorts and they have also been arrested, yes.”

Pru gave a shake of her head. “I feel so for the Duke of Stonewell.” She knew him to be a proud and haughty man, one of the Crown’s valued spymasters. She could not even begin to imagine how stricken he must be to learn his own wife was a traitor to the country he served so selflessly.

“We all do.” Titus nodded.

Pru drew in a ragged breath. “So what happens now?”

He shrugged. “I visited St. George’s this morning. Our wedding is arranged to take place three days hence.”

“I— No.” She gave a definitive shake of her head. “I have told you I prefer to—to wait and see if there are any repercussions from out lovemaking yesterday.”

His mouth thinned. “And I believe I told you the outcome was irrelevant and that we would be marrying immediately.”

“Titus, please,” she groaned. “Leave me with a little pride.”

“To do what?” he demanded. “To walk away from me, shut me out of your life, when you learn you are not with child? I think not,” he stated forcefully “If necessary, I shall make love to you again and again until you are expecting our child.”

She looked at him incredulously. “I… But… Why would you do such a thing?”

“Because I am in love with you, and you will be my wife!” He thundered his frustration with her stubbornness.

Pru stilled, her heart beating so loudly, she was sure Titus must be able to hear it too. “You’re in love with me?”

He glared at her. “Have I not shown it, time and time again?”

She stared back at him. “Well… I… How did you show it?”

“Dear God, woman! By being unable to stay away from you. By protecting you. Taking a bullet meant for you. By staying apart from you, even though not seeing and being with you was physically painful for me.”

“It was?”

“Yes, it was,” Titus bit out through gritted teeth. “You are the most stubborn, unreasonable, affectionate, beautiful, passionate, brave woman it has ever been my misfortune to meet, and I fell in love with you weeks ago even though I did not wish to admit to that emotion, even to myself.”

Her face fell. “You didn’t?”

He chuckled. “But now I am quite resigned to having my life led a merry dance for the next fifty years or so by your antics and heroism if or when you decide something or someone is in need of your protection or help. And to administering the chastisement we both enjoy so much once I have saved you from yourself,” he added throatily.

Pru frowned. “That does not sound like a romantic reason for marriage.”

He raised dark brows. “Perhaps I am still being cautious because you have not told me how you feel about me?”

She looked startled. “Surely it is obvious that I am madly in love with you.”

His eyes widened. “You are?”

Pru nodded. “Do you think I go around seducing every viscount I meet?”

Titus threw back his head and gave a shout of laughter. “You are beyond incorrigible!” He stepped forward to sweep her up into his arms. “I love you from the depths of my soul, darling girl,” he told her gruffly. “I always will.”

Her eyes glowed with happiness. “I love you in the same way.” Her hands moved to gently cup his cheeks. “I love you so very much, Titus. You are my hero, and the man I shall love until the end of my days.”

“As I shall love you to my dying breath and beyond,” he vowed.

Pru laughed. “Now kiss me, you annoying man, before I expire from happiness here and now!”

He chuckled. “That’s my darling Pru.”

It was true, she did belong to and with Titus, as he belonged to and with her.

Forever.