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Mia stared at her husband’s tortured face. “Why was that so important?”
“Because I loved you.”
Mia’s mouth gaped as her mind spun. “But... I don’t understand. How could you possibly have been in love with me at that point? I had only been here a few days.”
Simon leaned over and pulled her body over his until she lay on top of him. “Mia, I have known you for years. I have seen how you take care of people but I’ve also seen the kindness in your heart. I have loved and desired you for years.”
“You have?” She still couldn’t seem to comprehend what he was telling her. “Then when you asked me to marry you...?”
He laughed softly. “It had nothing to do with my reputation. It had nothing to do with your protection. Although that made a fine excuse. I proposed because I loved you and thought given time, you might come to love me too.”
Mia thought about how she’d told him she didn’t love him. Was that truly only a few weeks ago? She’d been a fool to think she could leave him and become Middleton’s wise woman. This was where she wanted to be.
“Didn’t you know how I felt about you?” Simon asked.
“No, why would I have known that?”
Simon chuckled. “Apparently everyone around us knew, including the servants.”
Mia stared at him in disbelief. “That’s not possible. Someone would have told me.”
“Not likely. Most people would have assumed I would only be interested in an affair with you. They were trying to protect you.”
Slowly he pushed her away and rose from the tub. Grabbing a towel, he wrapped it
around himself in silence. He walked to the linen press and pulled out a dressing gown. After wrapping it around himself, he turned toward the door. “I will leave you to your bath, madam,” he finally said stiffly.
“Where are you going, Simon?”
“You wanted peace for your bath so you shall have it.”
“But I’d rather have your love,” Mia said softly as she rose from the bath.
“Why?”
Shivering from the chill in the air, she said, “Because you already have my love.”
Chapter 27
Slowly, he turned and faced her. Even from the door, he could see the goose flesh rising on her chilled skin. Her small breasts rose proud, but begged to be suckled. He grabbed another towel and rushed to her. She looked regal and yet terrified as if he would reject her. Not that he could ever do that. He wrapped the towel around her and lifted her from the tub.
He released the pins holding her hair up. She stared up at him with her soulful brown eyes. With her lips slightly parted, she looked like a temptress.
“So you want my love?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“You already have it.”
Her lips moved upward. “Say it.”
“I love you, Mia. I have for years and will forever.”
She reached out and caressed her hand against his cheek. “I love you too, Simon. I have wanted to tell you but thought you didn’t feel the same way.”
He leaned over and kissed her gently. She lifted her arms, wrapped them around his neck and pressed her body against his. He wanted to ravish her. He wanted to make love to her slowly and savor every aspect of it. In the end, he left it up to her.
She led him into the bed with a seductive smile. As they reached the bed, she let the towel drop to the floor.
