“This is true. I often feel like that in her presence, for I’ll never know what she’ll do next.”
Finn nodded. “But she’s soft enough to cleanse you and runs deep enough to save you.” He patted Royce’s knee before leaning back in his chair. “Society and its rules—guidelines, really, if you want my opinion—can go hang at times.”
“But I’m an earl and I must abide by those rules. Shouldn’t I?” Why was everything so buried in confusion?
“You are overthinking the problem, my friend. The answer is quite simple.”
“Oh?”
“Do you love Isobel?”
Those four little words sent both terror into his heart and budding joy. Life had certainly lost its color without her in it, and now there was the possibility of a child. An infant they’d both made together… a family. It had been a dream, of course, and one for years into the future. He heaved a sigh. “I suspect that I do. She’s both amazing and terrifying, and I nearly lost my mind when Trey summoned me here after her accident.”
“Because you thought you’d lose her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.” Royce nodded. “It will break me if she dies.”
“Then you have your answer. Once you’re caught up in a storm, the only way out is through.” He chuckled. “Now I know how Jane must have felt just before we were engaged.” Mirth danced in his eyes as he met Royce’s gaze. “I should apologize to her.” Then he sobered. “Marry Isobel discreetly and quietly.”
“If she’ll have me, but I’m sure that will be a fight in and of itself.”
“Oh, indubitably.” Finn snickered. “Our families will be the only people who know. After six months or so, you can announce it formally to a few select members of the ton.” He shrugged. “Let society talk. Isobel doesn’t let that trouble her. She never has, and who cares if they talk? They’ll move on to something else as quickly as they’ll gossip about this. In the end, you’ll have her to wife, and isn’t that all that matters?”
Spending a lifetime at Isobel’s side as her husband sounded too good to be true. “Andrew and William want her tamed by marriage.”
“But what do you think?”
Royce allowed a grin. “I thought I wanted a proper, scandal-free wife to be my countess. But now I see I would never be happy without attempting to take on a wild and independent Storme. With her, the title will be strengthened and perhaps refined. I can’t help but think that might be a good thing.” Why had he never looked at it that way before? He felt like a fool as he peered at Finn, who grinned back like the same kind of idiot.
“I look forward to hearing the tale of how you finally managed to land my cousin.”
“Your brother and hers will object.”
“How can they? You’re an earl. It’s a good match. They’ll come around after they blow themselves out.” Finn wheeled close enough to clasp a hand on Royce’s shoulder. “I wish you good fortune for when that time comes.”
“Thank you. I’ll need it.” Now, to plan the words that would win her heart while he kept vigil at her bedside.