“Why is that?”
She clasped her hands in front of her. “It was rather bold of me to say such a thing.”
Colin smiled. “I found it rather refreshing and forthright,” he said. “Quite frankly, I would prefer honesty between us.”
“I would like that, as well.”
“Then I shall start.” He paused. “I have never stopped loving you these past five years; if anything, my love for you has increased. When I sleep, I dream of you, and when I wake, I long to hold you in my arms.”
Arabella’s breath hitched. “Is that so?”
“I was a fool to think I could live my life without you,” Colin said. “I know you may not need me in your life, but I need you in mine, desperately.”
She took a tentative step towards him. “I do need you in my life, now more than ever.”
“I know you are scared—”
Arabella spoke over him. “Not anymore.”
“No?”
“When I saw you at the cottage with Mrs. Burkard and Peter, I remembered why I originally fell in love with you,” she said.
“Which was?”
“You are an honorable man with a compassionate heart.”
Colin closed the distance between them. “May I presume that you still hold me in some regard, then?”
“I love you, Colin,” she said with a smile. “I have always loved you, even when I hated you.”
“I know I did not make this easy on us, but our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“I feel the same way.”
Colin reached for her hand. “Does this mean you will marry me?”
“You must say it properly,” Arabella said. “I won’t answer unless you kneel down and everything.”
Colin gave her an amused look as he bent down onto one knee. “Lady Arabella Wyndham, will you do me the grand honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes,” Arabella breathed.
Rising, he asked, “Do I dare kiss you with your father in the next room over?”
Arabella gave him a coy smile. “It is a risk I am willing to take.”
“You are so beautiful,” Colin said as he leaned closer.
He didn’t wait for her response before he pressed his mouth to hers, softly but firmly. Then he moved one arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. This kiss was different than the one in the woods had been; this one was filled with promise.
Colin was so distracted that he barely heard Lord Clavering exclaim, “Release my daughter!”
He broke the kiss and dropped his arm but remained close. He turned towards Lord Clavering, who had a thunderous look on his face.
“Your daughter has agreed to marry me,” Colin informed him.
“That still doesn’t give you the right to kiss her so brazenly,” Lord Clavering asserted
