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“Seth? You–”
“I may be welcomed at salons and the occasional soiree or ball by an Academy member, but I am looked upon as a curiosity, never to fit within their world.” He dropped his hands from her shoulders and rubbed his nape. “You must understand what you will lose should you decide to be with me.”
Seth had no wish to point out his disadvantages, yet Matilda had to know the consequences, had to realise the limits of his life. He was no aristocrat who could provide the trappings of society. Some would even argue with the term ‘gentleman’.
Slender fingers teased his chest, slid upwards. “Society with its balls and soirees do not make me happy, Seth,” she whispered. “You do. Every hour, every moment that we are together. We will build our own beautiful world, with Chloe and…” She cast a shy glance. “Perhaps further siblings for her. But for now, I wish to experience all the adventures of a life with you, Seth.” She pressed close, wet chemise abrading. “I’ve read of love in books, never thought to feel it for myself, but now I never want to be without it…never want to be without you. My true gentleman.”
Her words stole his breath and he cupped her cheeks, tilting his head.
“So then, Matilda, I will now be plain and simple, without use of another’s prose or poetry.” He kissed her rough and wanting. “Please take me from torment and marry me? I shall be true and loving. I shall protect you and let you fly. I shall listen and be yours forever.”
Her eyes gleamed a moist amber, fingers gripping him tight.
“With no other reason than I love you so much and wish to spend my entire life with you, I will marry you, Mr Seth Hawkins.”
Lost for words, he let his kiss declare his joy.
That joy seeped like water into every joint, muscle and bone, the scent of meadows enveloping him.
In riches and in poverty, Seth had watched men and women seek their dreams, toiling all the years with the hope that maybe, just maybe, life would reward them.
Drawing back, he gazed to Matilda and knew fortune had looked kindly upon him. Gifted him a bride of beauty and intelligence, who’d sparked a cinder of a long-forgotten dream within him and fulfilled it this very night.
“Then let us embark on all life’s unending adventures…” Seth cupped her cheek. “Together and as one, my love.”
