Page 67 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

She pulled up her corset as if anticipating a blow to her heart. “Does it have anything to do with another woman?” she asked in a hollow voice. “If it does, I shall need another drink on the couch -- no, I won’t stay long enough for a drop.”

“Good God, Ravenna. If anything, what I have to say proves that I’ve loved you for practically forever.”

She forced a smile. “Well, then, confess all.”

“I asked Liam for your hand shortly before he died.”

She drew up, staring at him incredulously. “This is one of your games. You’re playing again?”

“I am not,” he said, exhaling, his eyes searching hers.

“And neither of you thought to ask my opinion?” she asked in a stark voice.

“There wasn’t much reason to tell you before our marriage. He turned me down.”

“On what grounds?” she demanded.

“You’d been promised to another man. Liam professed I was on the road to ruination. He saw the signs. He and I shared a certain experience during a drunken revel.”

“You shared a woman,” she said slowly. “I believe he bragged of it, but I didn’t understand then what he meant. Liam could be a bad influence on those closest to him. I loved my brother, but he had deep faults. You aren’t like him at all.”

“I can’t blame him for protecting you. And I’m a grown man who has to accept responsibility for his own actions.” He gathered her back against him. “But all that is past, and it’s at this point you’re supposed to admit you loved me too and didn’t realize it until we were reunited.”

“Is there anything else you want to admit?”

“I asked Griff and he turned me down, too.”

“Simon.”

He shook his head. “I know it sounds as if I’ve been deceiving you. But I approached Liam for your hand because I wanted you. And I married you for the same reason.”

She was silent.

He went down on his knee. “Give me absolution.”

She bit the edge of her lip.

“For God’s sake, say something. Show me your anger. Slap me. Throw a perfume bottle across the room. Do anything except leave -– are you giggling?”

“This goes to confirm what I’ve said all along, Simon. You are a romantic.”

He gave her a disgruntled look. “Obviously you are not. Yes, I realize I should have approached you first. I should have told you about my proposal before the wedding. But we were caught up in events beyond our control. I’d never deliberately trick you.”

“Why didn’t you make an effort to contact me? You had years to express your feelings.”

“I kept apprised of your activities, if it’s any consolation,” he said, rising from the floor.

“And you cared for me all this time?” she asked, shaking her head. “You could have hinted.”

“I thought I had. But after a while I began to wonder if Liam had been wise to reject me. I led a sophisticated life. Yours was sheltered. I had to subdue myself when you came near.”

“You don’t now.”

A wicked sparkle warmed his eyes. “And what a profound relief that is. It’s one of the benefits of our wedding license.” He tugged her toward the bed. “I do love you. You love me, too.”

“I shouldn’t,” she said, falling into his arms. “I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to love anyone ever again after Grayson’s ball.”

“But you do. I knew I loved you a long time ago. I had every intention of telling you until I spoke to Liam.”