Page 76 of The Duke’s Wager

“Until he took his own life. It changed me, Lucy. I was eleven years old, and I promised myself that I would never love someone the way he loved my mother. The price was far too high. So I decided that no one… no one would ever be allowed the opportunity to get that close to me, that close to my heart.”

“Oh, Edward…”

Lucy looked at him sympathetically and placed a hand against his cheek. Edward turned onto his side to face her and covered her hand with his own.

“It changed when I got to know you – truly got to know you, Lucy. You… you changed everything.”

He leaned forward quickly, capturing her lips in yet another kiss. This one was slow and tender. When they broke the kiss, Edward rested his forehead against hers. “You showed me the beautiful side of love, and for that, Lucy Beaumont… I love you.”

She gasped. Of all the things she had expected to hear tonight, a declaration of love was the last.

As though he was able to sense her skepticism, Edward leaned forward and kissed her once more. “I vow on the memory of my parents, Lucy, that I love you. What I feel for you in my heart is not a fleeting emotion. It is real.”

Lucy’s eyes filled with tears at this. The look in his eyes was so pure, so earnest. She could not help but believe him.

“Edward, I…”

He shook his head quickly and pressed a finger against her lips.

“No. I do not want you to say it, not until you are ready. When you tell me that you love me, Lucy, it must be because your heart will not allow you to leave it unsaid.”

Lucy’s heart threatened to burst at his words. He was incredible, truly, and she leaned forward to kiss him again.

She had never been happier.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

They spent the night in each other’s arms – trading tender words and soft kisses. As the sun rose, Lucy could not stop repeating Edward’s earnest declaration of love in her head.

He loved her. She made life – and love, he said – beautiful again. Though he never planned on falling in love, he fell for her.

She could hardly believe it. Who was she to be granted such joy? Who was she to be granted this love, from the most incredible man she had ever met?

He loved her!

She was afraid to believe him – at least at first. After all, growing up with a man like her father had taught her to fear love. It was a tool to be wielded over others, a weapon to ensure that they felt far too guilty to live their own lives. Love was fearful, angry, demanding, and controlling.

She moved her head slightly to glance at Edward. He was quiet and his breathing was steady, but he was not asleep. He was staring at the sunrise, and his eyes had a far-off look in them.

His love did not seem controlling. It felt safe, as though he’d want to protect her because of it. He loved who she was and, surprisingly enough, she believed him.

Had she any doubt it would have disappeared the second he had told her all about his father – and how his death had convinced him that he would never love.

What made it even more special, Lucy thought now, was that he did not pressure her to return the sentiment.

Did she love Edward?

She had never been given the choice. She had never been allowed to decide anything for herself. The first time she’d been given the opportunity to decide anything for herself was tonight, when Edward had invited her to the cemetery. Then, once again, he had given her a choice: to return his sentiment of love, or not.

Lucy sighed deeply and pressed her head against his shoulder. Without a moment’s hesitation, Edward’s arm wrapped around her, and he pulled her closer. He pressed a quick kiss against her temple and sighed deeply.

“The sun is almost up.”

Lucy nodded against his shoulder. She did not want to give him – or herself – time to truly accept what it meant for the sun to be rising.

“Lucy…” Edward moved slightly, and she pouted, pressing her head against his shoulder even harder. “I know, my darling. I do not wish to leave either, but I am afraid we have no choice.”

He sat up slowly, pulling her with him. She quickly ran a hand through her hair and sighed deeply.