Kate flashed him an arch smile. “How well I know it. Six years is an excruciatingly long time.”
Deverill’s laughter sounded low and rueful. “The blame is wholly mine. I should have come to my senses much sooner. But now that I have…Kate, I promise to love and cherish you always.”
The words were softly spoken, but she felt their power. Looking into his eyes, she could fully believe that he meant his vow. This was what she had yearned for—for Deverill to love her truly, deeply, forever.
“I shall hold you to your promise,” she replied just as softly.
Turning to face forward again, Kate leaned back against his solid chest. As he spurred the horse into a canter, his arms wrapped around her tightly in support and affection, causing hope and joy to fill her.
Perhaps her most treasured dream would come true at last.
—
When they returned to the inn in Royan, her aunt and uncle were delighted to learn they had made their provisional engagement permanent. With the focus on departing quickly, however, there was no time to celebrate.
Rachel was not eager to brave the high seas again, even with Deverill’s assurance that the voyage would be far smoother without a violent storm lashing at the ship. When the Galene finally set sail some three hours later, they all stood at the starboard quarter railing, watching the coast fade from sight. Even with Deverill’s arms around her, Kate felt the solemnity of the occasion. She was exceedingly glad to see the last of France for the moment; in truth, they couldn’t leave quickly enough for her. And her uncle and aunt felt similarly.
Cornelius’s disappointment was palpable when he conveyed the priest’s final report: They had never discovered what became of the crested gold locket Lady Beaufort was wearing when she washed ashore. Lord Beaufort’s signet ring had never been found, either, nor the last of the missing jewels that had gone down with the Zephyr. And yet Kate knew a sense of peace, having properly laid her lost loved ones to rest after so many years.
Another hour had passed when the Galene reached the more turbulent waters of the Atlantic, where the gusting breezes blew cooler, despite the summer evening sunlight.
When Rachel claimed to be feeling queasy, Kate gave her a wry glance. “There is no need for you to pretend illness any longer, Aunt.”
Rachel had the grace to blush. “During our last voyage, I might have exaggerated my seasickness a little, but only a little. I truly was ailing.”
“But once we arrived in Royan, you made certain Deverill and I had every opportunity to be alone.”
“That was the chief purpose for our chaperonage, I believe. To provide Lord Valmere the opportunity for a courtship.”
“Indeed?” Kate cast an amused glance at Cornelius. “And you, Uncle? You sanctioned her deception?”
His flush showed his discomfiture. “I fear I am not adept at subterfuge.”
“I convinced Cornelius to play along,” Rachel declared loyally.
Which explained why he had frequently disappeared whenever Kate had come near.
“I take full responsibility,” Deverill interjected.
Rachel gave him a faint smile. “We will leave you to explain, then.”
Kate watched her aunt and uncle cross the deck to the companionway hatch, then focused her attention on Deverill. His windblown, ruffled locks and stubble shadowing his jaw made him appear the ruffian, but he had never looked more dear to her.
“I am waiting for your explanation,” she prodded.
“There is not much to explain. I intended to use this voyage to woo you.”
“But you enlisted my family’s aid and united them against me.”
“Not against you. For your benefit. I needed every advantage I could muster. As it was, I nearly had to die for you to admit your feelings. I plan for us to share a cabin tonight, by the way.”
When Deverill held eye contact with her, heat sizzled between them, but Kate recognized his tactic.
“You are attempting to change the subject,” she accused.
He ignored her complaint. “If you are worried about a scandal, there is an obvious solution. We can be married tonight. Captain Halsey can perform the ceremony.”
“We had best wait until we return to England to hold the wedding. My family will want to witness my downfall.” Kate flashed a wry smile. “I have badgered them for so many years about their romantic affairs, I owe them the satisfaction of seeing my nuptials. And Aunt Isabella would never forgive me if she weren’t present. She takes matchmaking almost as seriously as I do.”