"I'll share it," he said on his way to the little attached room. "As long as we just bathe. I really don't want to keep him waiting."
"I make no promises."
JACQUELINE DID ACTUALLY MAKE one while she was drying off after their bath. With a blush, she said, "I promise our lovemaking won't always go so quickly."
"I'm not about to hold you to that, love, at least for a few more weeks. Even then, I may have to make that same promise to you, I want you so much. But eventually we will take our time."
They did finally get downstairs. Jack was wearing her pale green ball gown again and hoping her mother had thought to bring her some clothes. The marquis's mansion was nearly as big as Haverston. Following the sounds of conversation, they headed straight for the large parlor, where tea and crumpets had been served. It appeared that more of her family than she'd expected had come here for this reckoning.
///
Grinning like a fool because she was so bloody happy, she took Damon around and proudly introduced him. The women gave congratulations and hugs, the men were more hesitant or droll in their remarks.
Jeremy chucked her chin, his expression as bland as their father's usually was. "I don't need to ask if eloping was your idea, when we know you don't have a jot of patience, Sister. But you couldn't just settle for sex and let us kill him?"
She pretended to give it a moment of thought. "A lifetime of sinful sex or I give you some legitimate nieces and nephews? D'you want to ask that question again? And you're the worst chaperone ever, Jer!"
He finally grinned. "Actually, by definition, I was the best. But it's written all over you, how happy he makes you, so"-Jeremy glanced at Damon-"welcome to the family, mate. Just don't tell my father I said that."
"Understood," Damon said as they shook hands.
"And you might want to steer clear of him," Jeremy warned. "At least today, or for a week, actually-"
"I get the idea," Damon cut in.
"No, I'm not sure you do. He's really not happy with you, and that equates to a lot of pain for you." Then Jeremy looked at Jacqueline. "This won't be like his war with Nick and Warren and settle down to mere verbal barbs. You're his baby girl."
She smiled. "Yes, I'm exactly that-and more like him than you know. If I'm not worried, you shouldn't be."
Anthony joined them and put an arm around Jacqueline's shoulders, his tone quite droll as he remarked, "You might want to turn off that bloody glow, puss. It's throwing salt in the wound."
"I haven't found a switch for that, Uncle Tony."
He stared at Damon. "Well, my condolences, youngun. You should have run while you had the chance."
"I did run, in the only direction possible. I'll always run straight to Jack. She holds my heart."
"Gad, let's not wax maudlin," Tony complained, then to Jack: "Your mother isn't known for patience."
Jacqueline laughed and grabbed Damon's hand again to head to her mother. Georgina, standing with Danny and Kelsey, ignored Damon but put her arms around Jack. "You've denied me the joy of planning your wedding."
"If I had done it the way everyone else does, Mother, would it ever have happened? Father walking me down the aisle and giving me away? Really?"
"I could have talked him around," Georgina insisted.
"With someone else, maybe, but with Damon?"
Georgina tsked and nodded toward James, who was talking quietly with Sarah Chandler. "Possibly. He knows Damon's mother and has regrets concerning her."
Jack chuckled. "He already relieved himself of those regrets by not trouncing Damon in the Caribbean. He won't give him any more boons."
"I heard, and I was partly to blame for his not returning to help Lady Chandler. Which is why I won't slap her son again."
"If you really want to have that big wedding, he'll marry me again just for you."
"Will you come home in the meantime?"
"No."
George snorted. "Then there's no point." But then she hugged Jacqueline fiercely, whispering, "Give me time. I'll get used to this."
"I love him, Mama."
"Good God, children grow up too fast."
Jack grinned. "Was that your blessing?"
"Yes, I believe it was. Now go make peace with your father, but do not take your husband with you. You can leave Damon safely with us."
Jacqueline didn't hesitate. She marched straight to James and put her arms around him. "Don't be mad."