A Certain Wolfish Charm(49)

The woman had the nerve to continue. "Is it true that His Grace has offered a healthy dowry to any man who marries you, despite your recent behavior?"



Lily nearly choked on her tea. The vicar sighed nervously.



"I beg your pardon?" Lily asked, as she put down her cup and stood up quickly. How dare the woman speak to her that way!



"I imagine that means yes," Mrs. Bostic said, smiling broadly at her husband. Then she snapped her fingers at their son. "Timothy."



The vicar's son gulped and stepped forward, cringing as he looked at his mother. He was a mousy little fellow, his skin so pale it was nearly translucent. His eyes were rimmed in red, as though he'd been sneezing. Or crying. She would have cried, too, if Mrs. Bostic were her mother.



Lily looked down at him; he was at least five inches shorter than she was, and she could see a bald spot appearing on the top of his head. If she remembered correctly, they were close to the same age. At the rate he was losing hair, he would be bald by the age of thirty.



"You may do it now," Mrs. Bostic directed.



The poor fellow dropped to his knee in front of Lily. "M-Miss Rutledge—"



His speech was cut short when Simon strode into the room. "Bostic, off your knees if you want to keep them."
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Timothy Bostic scrambled back to his feet. "Y-your Grace?"



Simon turned his irritated grey gaze to the vicar's wife. "Did my dear Miss Rutledge tell you our good news?"



The woman sucked in a breath, her face starting to turn an unflattering red. "N-news?"



Lily bit back a smile. Did Simon make everyone stutter?



"Indeed," Simon replied, crossing the room and sliding his arm around Lily's waist. "I was going to have to pay you a visit later today, Mr. Bostic. But as you're here, you've saved me the trip. This amazing woman has agreed to marry me." He smiled down at her. "Once Lord William returns from Lambeth Palace, I'd like for you to do the honors."



The vicar's eyes grew round. "A special license, Your Grace?"



Simon nodded. "I find she has quite captured my heart, and I'd rather not wait for the banns."



The man stumbled to his feet. "I-I-I… Of course, Your Grace. Whatever you require of me."



Mrs. Bostic squeaked, and Simon flashed his eyes on her. "Did you say something, ma'am?"



"But you were offering her a dowry—"



"True. Miss Rutledge will still have it. I'll put the funds in trust for her."



"I see." The woman frowned.



"Well," the vicar said, rising from his seat. "I believe we will be on our way then. When you have the license, Your Grace, do let me know."



Simon inclined his head.



Once the Bostics left, Lily sighed deeply and rested her head on his chest. She wished the words he'd said to the vicar and his family had been true, that he'd really lost his heart to her. "I had no idea money turned people into such terrible creatures."



Simon chuckled and then dropped a kiss on her brow. "Mrs. Bostic has always been a terrible creature, Lily. I am sorry you had to endure her."



Lily tipped her head back, gazing at his ruggedly handsome face. He did seem happy. More so than he had this morning. "Is Oliver all right?"



He nodded. "The little monster is fine for now. You should have come to me years earlier. I don't know how you ever managed him alone."



For years, Oliver had the sweetest disposition. Something Simon would have known, if he'd ever showed the slightest bit of interest in the boy. How long would his interest last in Oliver, or in her? How long before his lifestyle called to him? What did that even mean? Did he intend to return to the hoards of women he'd left in London? She wasn't certain her heart could take it.



"Lily," he said softly, interrupting her thoughts. "You look so sad."



She forced a smile to her lips. "Just woolgathering."



"About what?" he pressed.

Lily sighed. Should she tell him of her concerns? Would it matter? "I suppose I don't know what to expect from our marriage," she hedged. "What it will entail."



A slow smile lit his face. "Ah, well, let me show you."



Lily batted his hands away from her person as he reached for her. "You know that's not what I meant."



Simon took another step toward her and she backed up, but she couldn't hide the smile that erupted, no matter how hard she tried.#p#分页标题#e#



"Oh, but it's what I meant," he said, his grey eyes twinkling. She'd never actually seen the man laugh before. He was handsome even when he was sour, but when he laughed, he completely captured her heart. "You wanted to know what to expect from our marriage, and I want to show you."