Page 13 of The Scarred Lyon

Allenby entered the room, his long coat billowing around him. He wore the gold mask and handed his hat and gloves to Jacobs, the butler, then strode immediately toward her father, extending his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord.”

Her father returned the handshake. “And I, you, Your Grace. May I present my wife, Viscountess Hampton?” Her father’s tone was brisk, as usual, but Allenby seemed to take no offense.

“Please, my lady, do not rise.” Allenby took her mother’s outstretched hand and bent elegantly over it. “A distinct pleasure.”

“Please take a seat, Your Grace,” her mother offered, pointing to the sofa next to Augusta.

He did, while her father sat in the wing chair beside her mother. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Cheevers,” Allenby murmured.

“Your Grace.”

Allenby reached into his coat pocket and held out a paper to her father. “A special license, signed by Bishop Sweeney.”

Her father took the paper and examined it. “I know the bishop. Everything appears to be in order.”

“Then we will proceed, as Bishop Sweeney awaits us.” The duke extended his hand, and her father handed him the license. “There is no need for you to attend, unless you wish it.”

“So soon?” her mother questioned.

“Yes, we must make haste. You are ready to depart, Mrs. Cheevers?”

“I am, Your Grace.”

“What about the business end of this arrangement?” her father asked. “We should retire to my study to discuss the particulars.”

“There is not much to discuss. As for a dowry, I do not see why one is required. However, I will ask for a small stipend, just to do thing the right way. Shall we say, three thousand pounds? My solicitor will be in touch to make the arrangements. There is no rush.” The duke stood.

“I daresay this is not a subject to be discussed in front of the ladies, but very well. Three thousand,” her father replied. He looked relieved, as if he expected the duke to ask for more. “As for attending, it is best we do not.”

Augusta was actually thankful. She instinctively knew why he refused. This way, her father could feign surprise when the marriage became public fodder for society gossip.

“I also have a request, my lord. In the future, you will treat your daughter with respect. She will be a duchess. If we cross paths in London, you will not give her the cut direct, and if we invite you and the viscountess to our town house, you will accept. You will also acknowledge Reese.”

Her father began to sputter, but Allenby raised his hand to silence him. “Reese is your grandson. I will provide him with my protection and ensure he receives the best education. I will also give him my name. From this day forward, he will be my son, Reese Bamford. You will address him as such.”

At that moment, Augusta just may have fallen a little in love with the scarred duke.

Chapter Six

It was done.

The wedding was brief and formal, featuring a few readings from the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer. They then signed the church registry and began their journey to Bamford Park.

Duncan looked at his new bride, who sat across from him, gazing out the window. The carriage moved slowly because of the many ruts in the road. He figured he should say something. “We will stop at an inn soon, and tomorrow morning, we will continue our journey. Is that satisfactory?” he asked.

Augusta caught his gaze and smiled. “Yes. I imagined we would be staying at an inn since we left at two of the clock.”

“I am not one for a rushed journey or for changing horses. I prefer my own mounts. If we depart early tomorrow morning and make rest stops along the way, we should arrive at Bamford Park before nightfall. Of course, that depends on the weather and other factors. Another night at an inn may be prudent.”

“Your Grace—”

“I apologize for interrupting you, but we are married. Can we dispense with the formalities and at least call each other by name when we’re alone?”

She smiled warmly. “You are quite right, Duncan. Thank you for speaking to my parents the way you did. You were polite, yet firm. Do you intend to invite them to your residence?”

“At some point. Reese should know his grandparents. Your parents could have handled your situation better, scandal or not. Punishing you by ignoring you and your son for these past years was an insufferable thing to do. It is best to leave such mistakes in the past.”

“Including my grave mistake of running away with a married earl?”