Page 70 of The Marquess of Secrets

“A long-term affair?”

Harrison scoffed. “No, my dearest. As my wife. If you will have me.”

“Of course, I will have you,” her voice tremulous. “For the rest of my life. What will I be?”

“A marchioness. Lady Tennington. Someday—I hope long into the future—the Duchess of Gransford. But that is what society will see. To me, you will be my entire world. Lydia Chesterton. You will always be your own woman. You will never lose your individual identity. Not to me or to anyone who counts. I would never expect you to be any less than you are. Equal partners, my love. My promise to you. Does entering this privileged but pompous world give you pause?”

Lydia had given it plenty of thought these past months, weighing the pros and cons.

“I deserve to be happy, to love unconditionally. As do you, Harrison. No one, ever again, will make me doubt my worth. What do class and society matter, as long as we are together?”

“I want us to marry as soon as we can arrange it. If you agree. I said I would lay everything bare, and I have.” He opened his arms. “Tell me again that you feel the same. That you want to share our lives. I love you with my whole heart.”

A tear welled in her eyes. Without hesitating, she rushed into Harrison’s arms. She was home. It was where she felt safe, warm, and cherished.

“I love you too. So much.”

Cupping her cheeks, he kissed her. A gentle nibbling of her lips, then it swiftly turned into searing passion. Lydia returned it happily.

He pulled back a little. “And marriage? Our lives together?”

“I want it all, everything you said and more. Yes, I will marry you.”

He kissed her again. “I want you. Come away with me. We’ll get a room somewhere.” Then he gazed into her eyes. “Or we can wait. Your call, my love.”

Lydia stepped out of his embrace and strolled to the door. She held up a sign that said: Do Not Disturb.

“See this? It’s used by staff to ensure quiet time. We can use it now, but we will have to be quick and quiet. You might as well know this about me. I can be bold.”

Harrison’s eyes narrowed, his look sleepily sensual. “I am counting on it.”

“How soon can we wed?”

Harrison smiled, patting his coat pocket. “There are times being part of the privileged class has its benefits. Perhaps my arrogance is showing, thinking you would agree to marry me.”

“But?” she asked hopefully.

“I’ve secured a special license on the outside chance you agreed to marry me.”

Laughing, Lydia ran to his arms. He held on tight and spun her around.

He kissed her, then said, “Whatever you want to do, Lydia, I will comply happily. Do you want to stay working here? It can be arranged. Do you want to assist me with the planning and running of the clinic? We can volunteer whenever we like. Hire whom we wish. We can do all this and raise a family besides. We can do anything we put our minds to. What do you think?”

Lydia brushed aside a lock of hair that fell over his eyes. “I would love to help you plan the clinic. I also want to keep my hand in here. We can plan visits to Gransford Manor, and I can volunteer here as well.”

“Done. I have a country place by the sea, about thirty miles south of here near Eastbourne. A place, I believe, we will use for the marriage—if you agree. We can make it our country home. Close enough to keep a hand in whatever we plan. I cannot wait to begin.”

“Our life?”

Harrison nuzzled her neck. “No, love. Our adventure.”

And three days later, at Eastbourne…

With the wedding guests departed, Harrison and Lydia found themselves alone at last. Turning the key in the door, Lydia turned to face her husband.

“How long I have waited for us to be alone.”

“Have you, my lady?”