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ds didn’t reveal too much. “I am yours.”
“I will always want you.” He pulled back a little, his hands framing her face. “Don’t you understand? I love you, Rose.”
Her breath caught. “You don’t have to say that. I will stay with you tonight even if you don’t.” She wasn’t sure when she’d made this decision. But he’d given her everything she’d asked and, in her heart, she wanted to give back to him.
“I would never allow you to stay if I didn’t think you’d be staying forever.” He kissed her again.
Rose attempted to push down her doubt. She knew he wanted her. He’d returned her life to her as well as the one piece of her mother she could have. At least, he would. He didn’t need to make her these promises.
He rose off the bed and regret lanced through her, she missed the feel of his chest pressed to hers. And the intensity of his glare made her squirm, her gaze turning to the side. “I am not a beauty. I don’t look like the other women who the ton fancy.”
When he stood, raising himself off the bed, tears pricked at her eyes.
But he bent down and began removing his boots. She propped herself up on elbows as slowly he unlaced his breaches and then pulled them off to add to the growing pile of clothing. She let her gaze wander up his powerful thighs to his manhood and she couldn’t hide the gasp that escaped her lips.
“Take off your shift.” He rumbled as his hands came to the hem. Before she could formulate an answer, he dispersed the rest of her clothing and pulled her up on her knees in front of him. Then he traced every curve, every hollow of her body, until she hummed with the touch. “You, my love, are perfection. Not every man wants a stick for a woman, certainly not me. It will take some time, years perhaps, but you will understand just how much I appreciate your beauty.” And then he lowered his mouth to suck one of her nipples.
It was as though her insides exploded from the sensation and she gave a cry as she threaded her fingers through his hair. He turned his attention to the other nipple and she lost track of time, of her surroundings, as he lay her down again and settled himself between her legs.
A little fear niggled in her belly, but so much stronger was the desire to be his. To complete their relationship through this joining and as he pressed inside her, she held back her cry of pain, instead pulling him closer. “I love you, too,” she whispered in his ear as he began to move inside her.
He threaded his fingers into her mass of hair as they gently rocked together. The pain subsided and was replaced by an ache that grew into pleasure. He kissed every inch of her face until they were both panting with a need she hadn’t thought possible and finally, as they came together, her pleasure exploded into an array of colors behind her lids that left her limp with satisfaction.
He groaned his own release as she held him close. If what he’d said was true, and despite her own reservations, she believed him, he would be hers forever.
That was her last thought as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
The next evening, Rose watched the dancers twirl about. This was the final event of the house party, and tomorrow everyone would begin the journey home.
She’d played croquet with Will and a party of others this afternoon. And they communicated, silently of course, across the table at dinner. But since the men had gone off to smoke, he hadn’t returned to the party. Rose wondered what might be keeping him.
This time, she wasn’t worried by his absence, only curious. She cared little for dancing but she’d like his company. They had yet to be alone since last night when he’d carried her back to her room in the wee hours of the morning and she longed to touch him again.
He finally appeared in the doorway. He searched the room until his gaze locked on hers. Though he was a nearly a head taller than many of the guests, she couldn’t see most of him until he approached and then she noticed that he carried a velvet-trimmed box in his hand.
Once he stood in front of her, he held out his hand to her and pulled Rose to her feet. “My lady,” he rumbled.
She gave him a smile in return, though most of the party had stopped to watch them. He handed her the box and her fingers trembled as she took it. “What is it?”
He leaned close and whispered, “Open it.” Then with a grin. “But don’t take it out. Let them wonder.”
She cracked open the lid, and there, nestled in folds of silk were her mother’s diamonds glinting in the low light. A gasp escaped her lips as tears filled her eyes. She blinked them away and looked up to Will again but found him on one knee before her.
“Lady Roselyn, your father has consented to allow me to ask for your hand in marriage.” Will gave her a soft grin as he looked to his right.
She followed his gaze and saw her father grinning back as he gave her a nod of approval. “Oh my,” she murmured her breath catching on the final word. This couldn’t be happening.
“Oh yes,” his words pulled her back to him and as she looked into his dark eyes, warmth and love spread through her. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
It was so perfect, she could hardly breathe. She’d grown up hearing how her father had retrieved the stones and presented them to her mother when he’d proposed. And now, here was Will, giving her that same experience.
How had he known? Even as a spy, it was miraculous. Not that it mattered. It connected her to her mother, it brought Will into her family in a way she’d never dreamed possible. “Yes,” she said. “The honor is mine.”
The room burst into wild applause as Will stood, taking her hands in his as they held the velvet box together.
“I love you,” he murmured as he bent close to her ear. “Thank you for giving me a future.”
