She looked up at his face. “We will be ostracized by your family and mine. My parents may challenge the validity of such a marriage, and they will never agree to pay my dow—”
He silenced her with a kiss. “I don’t care about your dowry. I can support us even without it. As for our families, they may come around in time… or they may not. It’s a risk. Are you willing to take that chance for our love?”
Was she willing to risk her family’s disapproval? She had no illusions about what she meant to her parents and brother. They had no love for her. As long as she was biddable and compliant, they tolerated her, but at the first sign of rebellion, they would disavow her.
But that was her family. She could not bear to be the cause of a rift between Michael and his family. What would hisbrother think? And his parents? They would despise her. The duchess, his mother, had been so kind to her. No. Eloping was the coward’s way out. They needed to stand their ground and explain themselves.
“No, as hard as it will be, I think we should speak to our parents first.”
“They won’t make me change my mind.”
“But we should at least try to explain. Make them understand that neither of us planned this, and that we don’t want to cause harm.”
“Do you regret getting involved with me?”
She shook her head. “Of course not! I wish you had been my betrothed, as I originally thought. But I can’t regret what I feel for you. I doubt I could have ever felt the same for your brother.”
“He’s not a bad sort. You could have been content with him. But he would never love you like I do.”
“Then there’s nothing to regret. Let’s be glad we found each other when we did. Can you imagine the heartbreak if we had met after I was already married to your brother?” She shook her head again. “What a tragedy that would have been!”
“I don’t even want to think about it. I will talk to my parents and brother tomorrow.”
“No, wait! Let me talk to my parents first. I wouldn’t want them to find out from your parents.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. She had never seen him so serious. “Promise me you will talk to your parents tomorrow.”
“I promise.”
“What if they don’t agree to our wedding?” he pressed.
“Then we did all we could, and our fate is in our hands.”
“Will you elope with me then?”
“Yes, yes I will.”
“In that case, it’s settled. If they don’t agree, we will elope to Scotland and become husband and wife. I will ride out early tomorrow to make the arrangements for our trip to Scotland, in case it becomes necessary.”
She smiled, but a cold sensation licked down her spine, obscuring the image of the happy future Michael was promising. She clutched at his lapels, her heart thundering in her chest. “Don’t leave me.”
“I would never leave you. Everything will be well, love. If you want me to stay tonight, I will. If you want us to elope sooner, we can do that too. We could even leave right now.”
She was being silly. They had discussed their plans in a rational manner. She had been the one to suggest that they talk to their parents and his brother before they did anything rash. But a sudden premonition was telling her that when Michael walked out of her room tonight, she would never see him again.
Nonsense. Maybe the stress of the past few days had finally taken a toll on her sanity. That was surely what motivated her next words.
“Stay with me tonight. Make love to me.” Her hand flew to her mouth, appalled after posing such a scandalous proposition. But she couldn’t take it back. With every fiber of her being, she wanted—needed—this. Her breath locked in her lungs awaiting his response.
She had never seen his eyes so tender. So full of love. His fingers stroked her cheek, a velvety caress. She needed more, and she leaned into his hand.
“There’s nothing I want more right now than to make love to you. But we don’t need to do anything until you are ready. We’ll soon be husband and wife. I can wait for our wedding night.”
The more he talked about their marriage, the more her panic rose. She couldn’t see it happening. “I am ready. I want to be yours now. Please, Michael, make me yours.” Surely, once heclaimed her, they would have to marry. Right? No one could separate them then.
“But you are trembling.” He hugged her close, enveloping her in blessed warmth and safety. Panic receded when he held her in his arms.
“That’s because I want you too much. Please.” She was too desperate to be ashamed of her begging. Turning her face, she kissed the column of his throat above his necktie.
