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“I knew the only way you would leave me is if I convinced you that I didn’t love you and I told you to go.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I must be a hell of an actor.”
“Cameron, none of this was necessary.
“I didn’t see an option at the time. I’m sorry.”
“I would have helped you. I would have done anything for you and for Kat.”
“I didn’t want to take your money. What kind of man would that make me?”
“The kind who lets the woman who loves him share his burdens, Cam.”
“Cam. You called me Cam.” His smile lit up his face. Then, “I’m the man, Rose. I’m supposed to take care of you, not the other way around.”
“We’re supposed to take care of each other,” Rose said, caressing his cheek. “That’s the way of things. Didn’t your mother and father share their burdens?”
“I suppose so…but that’s different.”
“How so?”
“Well…they never really had anything of value… It was just different, that’s all.”
“That’s ridiculous and you know it.”
“I still can’t offer you much, Rose. Not what you’re used to. But I have my position at the Regal. It’s only three hundred fifty pounds per year, but I can still take private commissions. I’ve made some great contacts. And I have a townhome in Bath. My mother and sisters will have to stay with us though. And then there’s the issue of the song Xavier commissioned. I have to give him a refund. I…I don’t think I can live with myself if I don’t. That will be a lot of money, two hundred pounds. Oh, bloody hell. What was I thinking? You deserve so much more than I have to offer.”
Rose threaded her fingers through his black locks. “You trimmed your hair.”
“Yes, for the opening.”
“I liked it long.”
“Then I’ll grow it back.”
Rose laughed. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I’d love you even if you were bald as a billiard ball.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. I love you. I love you.” He pushed the rose into her hands buried his head in her lap as she stroked his hair.
“It’s all right.” She stroked the stem of the flower lovingly. “There are no thorns.”
“I carved them off with my jackknife during the ride here.”
“That was sweet,” Rose said.
He looked up at her. “Please marry me, Rose. I want nothing more than to spend my life making you happy. Making our child happy. I’m sorry that we’ll have to pinch pennies for a while, at least until I can pay back Xavier.”
“Cam,” Rose said, “I can pay Xavier.”
“No.”
“Yes. I have an income from my father’s estate. I’ll have it until I die.”
“I can’t take your money.”
“If we marry, it will be your money.”
“I can’t.”
“Now you’re just being stubborn. Do you think Xavier wouldn’t have taken my income if I’d married him? Or any other peer for that matter? Why do you think there are such a thing as dowries? And by the way, I have a substantial one.”
