" Enough, Aunt Josephine," Jack said, cutting her off, ignoring the stubborn light in her eyes. Oh, she was a Tremont all right, and one of the "mad" Tremonts at that, but she was no longer in charge of this house.
He was. And it was about time he took the reins of this manor and ran it as he saw fit.
"There will be no next time," he told her.
"But Jack, my dear boy--"
He rose from Miranda's side. "There will be no next time. For any of you. I have had enough of seeing my friends, my family, let alone the woman I love risk life, limb, and for what?" He paced the room. "There will never be an end to this if something isn't done, so I am ending it. Here and now."
"But Jack--" Miranda protested.
He swung around on her. "And not a word from you. Do you think I want my wife risking her life on such an improper fashion?"
"You love me?" she whispered.
"Yes," he barked at her.
She grinned up at him. "You want to marry me?"
"Should have years ago." He paced back and forth. "I lost you once, Miranda, I shall not lose you again." He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at everyone in the room, daring them to defy him. "

― Elizabeth Boyle , This Rake of Mine (Bachelor Chronicles, #2)