“I know you do, and I completely understand if you’d like to keep your last name.” Byron squeezed her shoulder. “Jane and I won’t ever be able to take her place, but we’re here for you.”
“I know.” Then with an impulsive mood shift only a child could pull off, she made a moony-eyed swooning face. “Did you get Aunt Jane a pretty ring?”
“I sure did. Wanna see it?”
“Yes, please.”
He removed a blue velvet case from his jacket pocket and opened it. He’d gotten Jane an obnoxiously large Tiffany engagement ring. Like all jewelry a gentleman purchased for a lady, it was somewhere between a bribe and an offering. When a man was courting, he had to lead with his assets. Byron had more money than God, and he intended to use it to his advantage.
“It’s so pretty.” She leaned closer, dazzled by the diamonds.
“Thank you, sweet pea.” After she looked her fill, he tucked it away.
“Will you have a big wedding? Can I be in it? I wanna be the flower girl, and I need a long golden dress like Beauty wore in Beauty and the Beast.”
“Let’s see what she says first before you start makin’ plans.” And while he waited for Jane, Byron practiced his sales pitch.
Half an hour later, Jane walked into his study, dressed in a suit, fresh from the courtroom. She still made his heart skip a beat.
“Aunt Jane!”
“Hello, Brady.” She scooped up the little girl and kissed her cheeks. “I’ve missed you.” Over the past few months, Jane had loosened up, become more affectionate with everyone. Especially with him—in the wickedest of ways.
“I missed you too, Aunt Jane.”
“And what about me?” Byron asked.
“I might’ve missed you too.” Her eyes danced.
“And do I get a kiss?” He cocked a brow.
“Of course.” Jane put Brady down.
Byron brushed his mouth against hers in a chaste kiss. He traced her lower lip with his thumb. When Brady went to bed later, they’d have a much more salacious homecoming—maybe even another round against the wall.
“Case going well?”
“Yes, I think we’re going to win.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Ugh, grownups take forever.” Brady stomped her foot. “Ask her to marry you already. I want to pick out dresses.”
Jane blinked. “Ask me to what…?”
Byron scratched his chin. “Well, I pictured this goin’ differently, but here we are.” He got down on one knee.
“What are you doing?”
“Proposin’.” He held out the ring box. “Jane, will you marry me?”
“Say yes.” Brady twirled in a circle, unable to contain her excitement.
“I don’t know. There’s a lot to consider.”
Brady groaned.
Byron felt the same way. “Give us a second, sweet pea.” With an exaggerated moan, she trudged over to the sofa.
“Before I answer the question, we need to discuss a few things.”
“Of course, we can have a discussion, but while we do, I want you to try it on.” He slipped the ring on her finger, and it was a perfect fit. Then he stood and motioned with his hand. “Lay it on me.”
“If we get married, we need a prenuptial agreement, a legal binding document.”
“Are you afraid I’m after your assets?” He winked.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “No, but you have considerable resources, and you should safeguard them.”
“I appreciate your concern, but you aren’t my attorney anymore, darlin’.”
“Still, I'm a realist, which brings me to another uncomfortable topic. You’re in a deadly line of work.” Jane whispered the words so Brady wouldn’t overhear.
“I’m aware.”
“Yet another reason we need an agreement. If something should happen to you, mechanisms need to be in place.”
“I get the practicality, but you aren’t rootin’ for me to die, are ya?”
“No, but I want to be prudent about this situation. And what about Brady?”
“If it’s alright with you, I’m going to adopt her, so she’ll be a Beauregard. Brady Beauregard’s got a ring to it, dontcha think?”
Jane smiled. “It does, assuming she’s okay with it.”
“I’d like both of you to share my last name.”
“I’d be happy to, but I’ll be hyphenating mine.”
“Works for me.” Byron had no trouble with the modern custom.
“And what about my father?”
“You seemed to think he wouldn’t be a problem earlier.”
“I might have overestimated his ability to adapt.”