Page 46 of The Pleasure in Persuasion

“I know that, Lily.”

She turned to face him and crossed her arms over her chest. “It isn’t an easy life. And not everyone is suited to it.”

“You’re right,” he said, rising to his feet. “But I think I am. I love it here. I love the work. I’ve never known what it was to be useful, to be doing something that matters, that contributes to a joint endeavor. I like it, and I don’t want to give it up.”

She had seen his enthusiasm these last two weeks, his eagerness to learn, his willingness to try.

But was it a fleeting feeling? Would it last longer than a month? A year? Or would the feeling fade along with the newness of it?

“What about London?” she asked. “Won’t you miss the city? The opera? The affairs with married ladies?”

It was a low blow, she knew, but now was not the time for mincing words. Now was the time for honesty, no matter how brutal.

“There was only one affair with a married lady,” Frederick said, his voice somber, “and one was more than enough for me. I’ve had my fill of affairs, and of city life. London has grown too dirty, too crowded.”

“But London is not dull,” she reminded him. “And life in Little Bilberry can be very dull.”

“Not with you around,” he said, and there was tenderness in the words, and in his eyes. “You are many things, Lily Grayling, but you are never dull.”

He walked toward her then, his hands outstretched, pleading his case, and Lily felt herself softening. Melting, even.

And then he took her hands in his and said, “I want to marry you, and run this inn with you. I want to spend my life with you. Wherever you might be.”

The man seemed to have an answer for everything. A good answer. And Lily wanted to believe him, to believe in him, even as logic cautioned her to proceed with care.

“Frederick...” She drew in a deep breath, attempting to gather her wits in the face of temptation. “You know I have come to care for you a great deal, and of course I’ve enjoyed this time we’ve spent together, but...marriage? We’ve only known each other for two weeks.”

“I know. But it only took me one to fall in love with you.”

Lily stared at him, rendered mute by the maelstrom of feelings crashing through her body.

Love?

Frederick was in love with her?

The admission was stunning, thrilling, and unbelievable all at once. She had no words. Her brain was mush.

The silence was broken by a horse’s faint whinny, followed by the distinct crunch of gravel under wheels, announcing the arrival of a carriage.

Visitors.

Slipping her hands from Frederick’s grasp, she strode to the window and peered down at the courtyard just as a liveried servant pulled the carriage door open and handed down one of its passengers, an elegant brunette in a mint green gown. Rose.

Lily turned from the window, anxiety sweeping through her already shocked brain. “My sister has arrived,” she said evenly, though her thoughts and pulse were anything but calm.

“I’ll go,” Frederick said. “But let me say one last thing before I do. I know for you it seems too soon for talk of marriage, but I’ve been waiting all my life to find you, Lily. I just didn’t know it until I met you. Surely you can see why I want to make you mine, and why I don’t want to wait even one more day.”

Lily’s heart swooned and she probably would have dashed across the room and launched herself into his arms, but then her grandmother appeared, popping her head around the doorframe.

“Lily,” she whispered urgently, “your sister has arrived.”

“Right. Thank you, Gran.”

Her grandmother slipped away, and then Lily turned to Frederick with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I must go.”

He nodded before heading for the doorway, where he paused and turned to look at her.

“Good luck with your sister,” he said. “And do try to remember to give my offer some consideration.”

The smile he gave her was equal parts wry and teasing, and then he was gone, leaving her to wonder how, even with her sister here, she could possibly forget even a single word he’d said today.