Page 88 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

He laughed. “I didn’t know you had any patience to speak of, my lady.” He took her hands in his, placing kisses on each of the knuckles. He enjoyed seeing the way her eyes flared with interest as his lips hesitated against her skin longer with each touch.

“Will you marry me, Reese? Not because we have found each other in a compromising situation and must wed, but because I love you and wish to spend the rest of my life with you?”

“It would seem despite our attempts, my mother has caught us out. She knows you visited my chamber for nefarious reasons. I really have no choice but to marry you to save our reputations.”

Her brow creased and she shook her head.

“And that is the reason you will accept my suit?”

“Oh, hell no. I don’t give a damn what my mother has seen or heard. I’m accepting because I love you more than anything and was prepared to track you down and make you listen to the truth until you agreed to marry me.”

“The truth being that you love me?” she said, with a smug grin on her lips.

He could not be judged for having to kiss her then. And kiss her he did. Thoroughly until they were both gasping for air.

“Yes, I will marry you.” He couldn’t believe she had asked him, but it went a long way to healing his wounded ego from the previous rejections. This was the proposal that was most important, no matter who offered it.

“Soon?” she pressed.

“Now you’re just getting pushy,” he teased.

She ignored him and went on with her plan. “We are in Scotland where it is customary to marry immediately, and as you so rudely pointed out, I have very little patience.”

“I said you have no patience whatsoever.”

“Even more reason to marry me today. This instant.”

“Then please stop standing around. Let’s go back to the castle and ready my mother and future brother-in-law so they can accompany us to the nearest blacksmith. I cannot believe I am being forced to wait so long to marry you.”

“Hmm… perhaps I know a way you might get revenge for my delay.”

He ravished her lips and when he’d left her swaying, he smiled his most devilish grin. “I shall have my revenge, my lady. For the rest of our days.”