Angel's Devil (28 page)

"Angelique,"
he said, looking up at her again, "I have been accused of many things,
most of which I have done. I am quite willing to try my hand at respectability,
but cannot guarantee my success." He smiled at her. "I have a new
list of requirements, and I've built it around you. You are the most
enchanting, bright, beautiful, outrageous woman I have ever met. I am desperate
to spend the rest of my life with you, but if you do not wish to risk your
reputation by being with me, I will understand. Angelique, I love you with all
my heart. Will you be my wife?"

It was the most
heartfelt, touching thing she could ever have hoped to hear, and again tears
filled her eyes. "I love you, James. And I have virtually no reputation to
risk. Yes, I will be your wife."

Chuckling,
James stood and pulled her up against him. She stood on her tiptoes, and he
captured her lips with his own. She thought the kisses he had given her before
had been passionate, but as he enfolded her in his arms and transferred his
kisses to her hair, cheeks, and throat, she had a glimpse of what married life
with him was likely to be. The thought delighted her.

"Hurray!"

James jumped,
and they turned to see Henry skip into the room. He wore a grin so wide, Angel
wondered that his cheeks didn't split. "Henry," she admonished
breathlessly, James's arms still close around her.

"You are
finally getting married?" Henry demanded. James nodded and quickly kissed
Angel again. "Yes, we are."

"So you're
my brother?"

"As soon
as we are husband and wife, I will be," James answered, grinning.
"And I'm not waiting till next September, either."

"No?” she
whispered, for she and Simon had never thought of attempting to set their own
date.

"No. How
do you feel about being a winter bride?"

"Yes."
She chuckled.

"And I can
come to Abbonley as often as I wish?" Henry pursued, charging about the
room.

"Henry,
get out," James said, and kissed Angelique again. "But can I?"
Henry tugged at James's sleeve.

Angel giggled.

"Good
God," the marquis muttered, "are all children like this?"

"I hope
so," Angel answered gleefully.

"I say,
aren't you going to answer me? You ain't married yet, Angel.”'

James let
Angelique go and intercepted Henry as he circled happily around them. He
lifted the laughing boy up into his arms, carried him over to the window, and
while Angelique laughed so hard tears ran down her cheeks, put him outside and
pulled the glass shut.

"Now, my
love," James said, striding back over to her and sweeping her around in a
breathless circle before he bent his head to kiss her again. "Where were
we?"