A cough sounded from the corridor, intruding on their moment.
Barbara pulled away from Aubrey to see her father come to check on them, having forgotten until this moment how she’d never closed the door.
Lord Whitfeld raised both eyebrows. “I returned to make sure St. Vincent had not come to greater injury at your hand, Barbara, but I assume instead he’s won his case. The banns need to be posted or license secured. The sooner the better from the looks of what I interrupted.”
Aubrey gave her a pointed look, and Barbara laughed as her father proved the secondary plan would have been successful regardless of her stance.
“You’re not surprised?” Barbara asked her father after a moment. His easy acceptance startled her when she’d put her poor parents through so much.
Lord Whitfeld gave her both a smile and a wink. “Whatever your lips said, or refused to say, your heart had chosen before you left your uncle’s dwelling. We are neither so blind nor ignorant not to see it. And you are not so foolish as to deny the truth when face to face with the man in question.”
She glanced at Aubrey, and meeting his gaze, lingered there for a moment. Her father had understood what she’d been too mixed up to admit. “You have no objection then?”
“Your lord has already sought my permission, which was gladly given once I learned where he’d chanced upon you. And might I say, I appreciated your determination.” The last was to Aubrey, who only shook his head in response.
“However, you do need to inform the others before we make any announcements.”
“It is only fair,” Barbara said, not looking forward to the meetings she’d be facing.
“Perhaps I should sit in on these meetings. After all, I wouldn’t want sight of your duke to change your mind.” Aubrey struggled to maintain a somber expression, but his eyes gave him away as they always would.
Barbara put a hand on his arm as though to restrain him. “I think the meetings will be awkward enough without the victor lurking in the room, but you have nothing to worry about. These others only understood how to appreciate a frivolous girl.”
Aubrey barked a laugh and snaked his arm around her waist to pull her firmly against his side. “Whereas it takes a true fool to lay claim to her once the frivolity has been stripped away.”
“Your virtues are showing again,” Barbara told him with a chuckle.
Her father shook his head. “I’ll expect both of you at the breakfast table shortly, but I know when three is too many, and I think you deserve a moment to celebrate having captured a wild heart, St. Vincent.”
“You might as well call me by my first name. I plan to be part of your family for a long while.” Though Aubrey spoke to her father, his gaze stayed linked with hers.
The door closed with a solid thump as her father left, given them privacy. Barbara hardly noticed as Aubrey bent to claim her lips once more. Georgiana had been right after all. Kisses were wonderful things, and she planned to enjoy her full share.