Pleasurably Undone! by Christine Merrill Read Free Book Online

eager to wed that he could not wait for the banns. “No, I have not changed my mind.”
    And now, he was smiling broadly at her, as though the reassurance had brought him immeasurable pleasure. He stepped forward, drew her up to sit, and kissed her on top of the head. “I am glad. And I will work to make you comfortable. And happy again, if you will let me.”
    Happy. What a curious idea. In her old life, she had been content, certainly. But had she been happy, traipsing about the Continent after Charles? Not really. She would have preferred her townhouse, the company of friends. A regular bed and regular meals. And perhaps a regular husband. “That would be nice. Thank you.” She hoped he had not been expecting some declaration of love, for it seemed too soon to use that word. But to have a man to love, just an ordinary man, and not a soldier? And to have that man be as devoted to her as Tom Godfrey was? The possibility shimmered before her for a moment, like a beautiful dream.
    “I had best get to it. If you are sure that you can manage?”
    She gave him an encouraging smile in return. “I will be fine.”
    “Then I will go and make arrangements. And in no time at all, you will be Mrs. Godfrey.”

Chapter 6
    T om smiled through clenched teeth as he climbed the steps to his final destination. The pain in his leg had not been so very bad as he had gone about the tortuous process of applying for the special license. But he did not wish to show weakness before the Earl of Stanton at the Home Office. He tried not to lean too heavily on his cane as he spoke to the clerk in the front room, and politely insisted that he had served under the earl when he had been simple Captain St John Radwell. Surely, a brief visit from an old comrade would not be unwelcome.
    He heard a bark of affirmation from the door behind him, and words of welcome. But when he turned to face his old superior, the look in the man’s eyes was wary. It seemed, after the disaster that had befallen his last captain, Tom would have to prove himself again to this one.
    Stanton reached out and grasped his hand, pulling him into the office, but did not bother to shut the door behind him. “What brings you here, Tom? Are you doing well since your return? How is the leg, man?”
    He shifted his weight to prove its strength. “As well as can be expected. It will never be right. But slowly, it improves. Butother things?” He could not help the grin that spread on his face. “I suppose they are both very good, and most difficult.”
    “How so?”
    “I have it in my mind to marry.”
    The earl looked startled quite beyond what he’d expected. “Marry? I had not heard…”
    “That is because the decision is sudden. Fast as lightning, some might think.”
    “Do I…know the woman involved?”
    The question stopped him. Perhaps Victoria’s fears were justified. “I do not see why you should. She is the widow of a friend of mine. I hesitate to mention the name until the announcement is made. It is as sudden for her as it is for me. If she has people, they should hear of it before I go trumpeting my good fortune about the town, tempting though it may be to brag.”
    Stanton nodded, although there was strange hesitation in his reply. “That is probably wise. If there is a reason to cry off, it will save embarrassment.”
    And how little confidence in him did such a strange comment betray? “I am not worried on that account. We are in total agreement.”
    “But you spoke of a difficulty?”
    “Simply that I had not thought to marry so soon. While I can manage to provide for her, it will not be as easy as I might like. I seek employment. I wondered if perhaps there might be some use you could find for a man who has already proven his loyalty to the crown.”
    And just as he feared it might, a shadow flickered behind the other man’s eyes. He must have heard the rumors. Tom had no wish to deny the charges before they were spoken. When half a company died