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She brought her hands up to cover her reddened cheeks. “I don’t know firsthand, mind you, but I have been told as much.”
“I see,” he replied.
Emmeline looked at him with hopeful eyes. “Does this mean you are still willing to marry me?” she asked.
He sighed as he broke their gaze. “I don’t think it is a good idea.”
“Oh,” she breathed as the light in her eyes dimmed. “I am sorry for disturbing you, my lord.”
As she moved to brush past him, he reached out and grabbed her arm. “Don’t go just yet, Emme,” he said.
“I’m afraid I must,” she replied, keeping her gaze straight ahead.
“Why?” Oliver could see the tears well up in her eyes and watched as she ferociously blinked them back.
“I knew I shouldn’t come,” she breathed.
He leaned closer and asked, “Then why did you?”
She turned her head towards him, making their faces only inches apart. “I had to try,” she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek.
“You don’t want to marry me, Emme,” he said, his eyes roaming over her face.
“I do,” she replied. “You are my last hope, and I messed that up by refusing your offer.”
Oliver dropped his hand from hers but remained close. “Don’t say that.” He reached out and wiped the tear off her face. “I can’t provide you the life that you deserve.”
“I don’t care about that,” she asserted.
He found his stance softening towards her, and it was her tears that were his undoing. “I can’t offer you love, Emme. The only thing I can offer you with certainty is the protection of my name.”
“I understand.”
Bringing his hand up, he placed it on her right shoulder. “This would be a marriage in name only.”
“Don’t you require an heir?” she asked, her eyes searching his.
He shook his head. “I don’t intend to have children.”
Her moist blue eyes sparkled, transfixing him. “I can accept that,” she murmured.
“We shall have to depart for Gretna Green tonight so we can marry before your aunt and uncle suspect anything.”
A timid smile came to her lips. “That won’t be an issue.”
“There is one last thing,” he said, “and this is nonnegotiable.”
“What is that?” she asked with a slight tremor in her voice.
His eyes darted towards her lips. “We must seal the deal with a kiss.”
Emmeline reared back slightly, and he let his hand drop to his side. “I have never kissed anyone before,” she admitted in a soft voice.
“It is really quite simple,” he said with a flirtatious smile.
She nodded her head before she closed her eyes and remained perfectly rigid.
“What are you doing?” he asked, amused.
