“These lords have been holding power ever since the days of Magna Carta. None of them wishes to be in the generation that gives it up.”
He reached out and took her hand. “Enough about politics. How do you feel, Queen Pea? My brothers think I’m an idiot for wanting to marry you today. How do you feel about it? Am I forcing you into it?”
“No.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You sound hesitant. Are you having doubts?”
“About becoming your wife? None. I am marrying a hero. Or haven’t you heard?” She grinned as she nodded toward the newspapers. “They are all claiming you are, so it must be true.”
“I only wish to be your hero. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” He kissed her hand.
“You are, Ronan. I don’t need a newspaper to tell me about your virtues. But do you think your brothers are right? You must admit, it will be a lame affair. You can’t even stand on your own beside me because your wounds are too fresh.”
“I rode from Tilbury to London just to be with you. I can stand by your side for the few minutes it will take us to get through the ceremony.”
She smiled at him. “Clothed?”
He chuckled. “Oh, hell. Don’t make me laugh.”
“Sorry. But we have overlooked these practical considerations.”
“Are you saying you want to wait? As for me, although I’ve made jests about my low brain need for you, my desire for urgency isn’t about that at all. It is about my heart needing you. It’s a soul-wrenching ache, Queen Pea. But you have only to say the word. I will do whatever you wish.”
“Then let us be married today. I feel the same way, Ronan.”
“Thank you.”
She gave him a kiss on the forehead. “I only came back in here for a moment. We’ve reclaimed Heather’s bedchamber, and my sisters are now determined to fuss over me. So I must spend the next three hours in a dither, wondering how I shall ever be ready in time for my wedding, which hasn’t even been scheduled yet.”
He smiled. “Finn will have the minister for us today. He’ll grumble and moan, but he’ll get it done.”
“And I’ll be ready. Violet brought over more of my gowns. We will spend at least an hour pondering which one I am to wear. And another hour deciding how to style my hair because it has to be just right. And another hour simply fretting because everyone frets over wedding preparations.”
“I suppose it is a much simpler thing for men. I just have to worry about getting my trousers on. But I’m truly sorry, Queen Pea. You deserve far better.”
“We Farthingales are notorious for marrying in haste. We have raised these patched together weddings to a fine art. It has become a source of pride to see who can outdo all the others. I never thought I would be the one to claim the honor. But a naked bridegroom? Marrying in a bedchamber? On a few hours' notice? Our story will be a legend among the family.”
He laughed again, the effort causing pain to course through his body. But he overlooked it because he was in too good humor. “Put that way, then I’m glad to be of service.”
She leaned forward and gave him another light kiss, this time on the mouth. “I hear Uncle John and Aunt Sophie downstairs. What do you think? Will he withhold his approval or say thank goodness and kick me out the door?” She grinned impishly. “Let me go down to speak to them. And then I shall be locked away in Heather’s bedchamber. Uncle John is not going to refuse your proposal.”
Indeed, there was little to be discussed when John and Rupert called on him. Finn had come up with them. “I’ll sign whatever you want,” he said, impatient to have the minister scheduled.
Finn rolled his eyes.
John and Rupert laughed.
“What is it with you Braydens?” Rupert jested. “You take all the fun out of contract negotiations. Even Finn was ready to sign over the Crown jewels to marry Belle.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if my brother actually owned those jewels. But my assets are not quite as impressive. They’re similar to Joshua’s. Just copy whatever terms he agreed to when marrying Holly, and let’s be done.”
When they left, despite fighting to remain awake, Ronan fell into a deep sleep for the next two hours. He awoke to the sound of his family and the Farthingales still gathered downstairs. However, Dahlia was across the hall from him. He couldn’t tell who else was in the room with her, but there were definitely more than just the three sisters. Multiple giggles emanated from behind the closed door.
In truth, it made him feel better that Dahlia was being fussed over as his bride-to-be. He wanted her to have at least one frivolous memory because he was depriving her of every shred of her dream wedding.
Robbie and Finn sauntered into his bedchamber. “Thought ye might need help taking care of the necessaries now that ye’re awake,” Robbie said.
“I’m good. Took care of almost everything myself before I fell asleep.”
Finn frowned. “You stood up all by yourself?”
“Sort of. I held on to the bedpost. Did you find a minister? I hope this is why the family is still downstairs. They had better not be holding vigil over me. I have no intention of dying anytime soon.”
“Minister will be here within the hour.”
“Thank you, Finn,” he said with all sincerity.
“You’re still an arse, but I know you love Dahlia. I was as much of an idiot about Belle.”
Robbie scratched his head. “Ye took care of the necessaries with yer door wide open?”
“What? Yes.” Ronan shrugged. “Couldn’t be helped. I kept the sheet wrapped around me as best as I could.”
“When did ye do this?” Robbie was horrified. “The pixie might have seen ye. At least the others are married and ken what a man looks like.”
“Heather was busy with her sister. They haven’t come out of that room in hours. Why are you scowling at me, Robbie? No one saw anything.”
“I would have come up here and shut yer damn door.” He sighed and shook his head. “Joshua gave ye a bell to ring if ye needed us.”
“You aren’t my servants. And I didn’t want anyone’s hands on me. I managed fine on my own...almost. Someone must have come in here while I slept and tidied up the mess I made. I see there’s fresh water in the ewer, and the chamber pot has been emptied. When did you say the minister was coming?”
Finn groaned. “You really are an idiot.”
“A royal pain in the arse,” Robbie said. “Is this what love does to a man? Then I hope I never fall in love. I dinna think I’ve ever met a more lovesick fool.”
“Hah! You’ll see. When you fall, it will be so hard, all of London will quake.”
Robbie rolled his eyes. “Not a chance.”
Robbie and his brother were still giving him a hard time when Dahlia popped her head in. “May I come in?”
“Blessed saints,” he said in an awed whisper. “You look beautiful, Queen Pea.”
She had changed out of the gown she had put on this morning. This new gown was a soft rose color, which brought out the gentle blush in her cheeks and pink of her lips. Her hair was drawn off her face, curled and left to tumble in a glorious cascade down her back. The few pink and purple flowers in her hair enhanced the effect. She looked like an exquisite wood nymph. “What do you think of this gown and my hairstyle? Suitable for a wedding?”