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That made him lean away from her, tipping her head up to look at him. He searched her bright emerald eyes and only saw grief, and pain, and sadness. It broke his heart. “Oh, Marguerite…”
Tears shone in her eyes, and she looked away before wiping them away with the sleeve of her thin long-sleeved shirt. “Sorry. I’m not making sense.”
“No. You are making perfect sense.” He turned her to look at him again, urging her despite her resistance. “You feel that forgiving me would be betraying yourself, or your past selves, perhaps. That moving past all that I have done belittles all that you are. But I say this, princess—you are more than a sum of the trauma that has befallen you. You have shown me”—he smirked—“and the Vatican, that simple fact well enough.”
“I guess.” She tried to turn away again, but he wouldn’t allow it.
“Listen to me. I am not asking for your forgiveness, Marguerite. I do not deserve it. Nor shall I ever. But what I am asking you for is that you see yourself as more than your past. As someone who deserves to have what she wants. Be it to strike out and see the world on your own, or with me at your side. That is all I desire from you—that you do what you say you now wish to do, and live.”
She smirked. “Really? That’s all you desire from me?”
His neck went warm. Damn his strange shyness around her. “I—ah—well—” He cleared his throat. “Perhaps—ah—perhaps not the only thing.”
She laughed quietly and tucked her head back against his neck. “You’re adorable sometimes.”
“I will take that over the alternatives.” He held her tightly for a moment before relaxing. “Rest, Marguerite. The flight will take some time, and you have had a trying day.”
“And another trying one tomorrow.”
“We could delay our arrival. Spend some time exploring New Hampshire or Vermont.”
She sighed. “No. I want to get this over with. If—when this is all over—maybe then.”
A sad smile found its way onto his features. Simultaneously, he was relieved and disappointed. Relieved that she had the strength and the wherewithal to continue her difficult task. But disappointed that it might come to an end all too quickly for him. For one more step forward was another step away from the moment in which they now were.
Together.
