“Your Grace, I was hoping for a word with Lady Harriet before we have tea,” Hartley said to Wiltshire.
Wiltshire nodded. “Of course. Lady Harriet, is that agreeable to you?”
Harriet stood. “Yes.”
Hartley held out his arm “Lady Harriet, may I escort you to the garden?”
She placed her hand in his sleeve, and he felt the familiar jolt of pleasure travel up his arm. Once they were in the garden, he led her around the path until they came to a bench. “Would you care to sit, my lady?”
“No, I would not.”
Hartley was surprised at the anger in her voice, although he shouldn’t have been. He’d been a beast to her yesterday, and he deserved her ire. Before he had a chance to deliver his well-practiced speech, Harriet speared him with a look that turned his blood cold.
“What do you want, Lord Hartley?”
“Lady Harriet, please understand...”
“What is there to understand? I tried to explain to you what happened yesterday, and you turned and walked away from me. I understood that perfectly. You no longer want me.”
Hartley hung his head. “I’m filled with regret about my behavior. I’m truly sorry for hurting you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Harriet shook her head. “No.” She started to walk away, but he reached out and grabbed her hand.
“No? Harriet, please tell me what I must do to make it up to you. I was an idiot, and I hate to see you so upset.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “You broke my heart, Jon.”
“My darling, I didn’t mean to. I lost control when I saw Cawley holding you.”
“He wasn’t holding me, merely promenading with me around the room.”
“I realize that now, and I have no defense for my actions. I’ve never been jealous before and didn’t handle the situation well. Know this, my darling, I will do everything in my power to never hurt you again. I’m trying to be a better man. You make me a better man, Harriet,” he said, wiping the tear from her cheek.
“What does that mean?”
Hartley brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “It means I love you with everything I am. You’re the reason I get up in the morning. The reason I can breathe again. The reason there’s hope and sunshine in my life again.”
“You love me?”
“I do with all my heart, beastly though it is.” Hartley knelt in front of her. “Lady Harriet, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?” He waited with bated breath for her answer. Would she reject him? He didn’t know what he’d do if she refused his suit. How could he live without her sunshine in his life?
Finally, she smiled. “I love you too. Yes, Jon. I will marry you, but...”
He didn’t like that. “But?”
“Don’t ever walk away from me again. We’re a team, Jon, and we figure out things together. Can you agree to that?”
Hartley stood and swept her up in his arms, twirling her around in a circle. “My darling, I’ll agree to whatever you desire. You’ve made me the happiest of men. I know there will bechallenges ahead for us, but with your love and support, I’ll try my utmost to conquer them.”
When he set her feet back on the ground, he kissed her with all the passion within him. “I vow to do better,” he said, pulling a small box out of his pocket. “I hope you like this, but if you prefer something different, there are other jewels you can choose from.” He opened the box to reveal a sapphire-and-diamond band.
“Oh, Jon, it’s beautiful. I love it,” she said, holding out her hand.
Hartley slipped the ring on her finger. “I can’t wait until you’re my wife.”
“Neither can I. Please tell me you don’t want a long engagement,” Harriet said.
“Not at all. I’ll need to ride to London to get permission from your cousin and also secure a special license so we may marry as soon as possible.”
