“Of course, I will,” Jane replied, and before he could say anything else, her lips were pressed against his own.
An explosion of warmth ripped through his chest, and he scooped her up into his embrace, kissing her fiercely as he twirled her around the room. When they broke apart, tears were streaming down Jane’s face, even as she laughed.
“I love you, Blake,” she proclaimed, breathing heavily.
“I love you too, Jane,” Blake replied, panting as well.
He took a step towards her, fully intending to kiss her again, but the door to the drawing room slammed open.
“IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES!” Lady Cotswalts barged into the room, with Emily hot on her heels.
“Well?” Emily demanded, looking between Jane and Blake.
“Well what?” Jane replied innocently.
“Are you engaged?” Emily asked.
For a moment, Jane said nothing, and then she nodded her head. “We are engaged.”
Blake felt his heart burst as the women shrieked in delight. Hearing Jane say that they were engaged suddenly made everything feel real. He stood to the side, watching as they congratulated her, but he saw that Lady Cotswalts was regarding him with some suspicion still.
“You do not approve of our match?” he asked, seeing the same conviction he so admired in Jane reflected in her mother’s eyes.
“I do not,” the woman admitted. “I am afraid I am not convinced of your suitability for one another.”
“Really, Mother?!” Emily exclaimed in frustration.
“Mother, it does not matter what you think. I am marrying Blake!” Jane added.
A moment later, she held out a hand to him, and he took it. Jane wrapped an arm around him and gazed defiantly at her mother.
“This is all rather unconventional.” Lady Cotswalts looked from Jane to Blake.
“Iam rather unconventional,” Jane replied.
“If I might say something?” Blake interjected.
Jane looked at him, and he waited. He wanted her to know that he would only intercede if she wished it. She nodded.
Blake looked back at Lady Cotswalts, who was surveying him. “I understand that you may not think I am the right match for your daughter, and though I could spend the next few moments convincing you of my sincerity and my suitability, I will not.”
“There is only one woman in this room who I will prove my worthiness to, and she has made her judgment.” Blake smiled at Jane. “For me to try and prove it to another would do her a disservice. It is your daughter’s life, her decision, and I would have her make it.”
“There are few men who would not seek to control my daughter,” Lady Cotswalts said after a long moment. “Perhaps there is something here, after all.”
Jane breathed a sigh of relief and leaned into him, while Emily laughed.
“We are engaged,” Blake murmured gently, breathing in her cinnamon and vanilla scent.
“We are, indeed,” Jane agreed.
“Alexander owes me three guineas!” Emily exclaimed happily.
Blake raised an eyebrow at her. “Was everyone wagering on this?”
“No. Not everyone.” Emily laughed. “Besides, I was the only one who thought you would be engaged before the Season ended.”
“Wonders never cease.” Blake shook his head and stepped away from Jane, though she kept holding his hand.
