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“I know I am in no way worthy of you,” he said. “I work for my income, and I am far below your station. I know this, but I have to try. If I don’t, then I will forever live with the regret of not knowing.”
He took a step closer to her, and now she had to tilt her head to look up at him. “I love you, fiercely, unapologetically,” he declared. “I am yours, and I will always be yours.”
He continued, his gaze boring into hers. “If you do not feel the same, then please tell me so now, and I will never bother you again.”
Daphne hesitated only for a moment as she tried to find her voice. “I’m afraid I am unable to do so, because I feel the same way about you.”
“I can’t offer you riches, a title, or a life of ease,” he said. “The only thing I can offer you is my heart.”
Tears came to her eyes as she murmured, “That is enough.”
“Is it?” he asked, his eyes searching hers. “I want you to be sure.”
Boldly, she reached for his hands. “I have never been so sure of anything in my life,” she said. “I would marry you, even if neither of us had a farthing to our name.”
Keeping hold of her hands, Mr. Stewart lowered himself down onto one knee. “Miss Daphne Locke, will you do me the grand honor of marrying me?”
“Yes!” she rushed out. “I will marry you.”
He remained on his knee as he stared up at her. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“You are my hero, and always will be,” she said.
Rising, he smiled at her. “Saving you from Huxley was an easy feat.”
“To you, perhaps, but to me, it was everything.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You came after me,” she breathed.
He leaned closer, and his lips hovered over hers. “I will always fight for you, my dear Daphne,” he murmured, his warm breath on her lips.
Her heart began to race. “You said my name.”
“I hope that is all right, considering we are engaged.”
“It is, Guy.”
The words had barely left her mouth when he pressed his lips to hers. And that was it. She was completely lost in the moment, kissing him as fiercely as he kissed her. She brought her arms up around his neck, and he pulled her against him.
She was so lost in the moment that she barely acknowledged Phineas shouting, “Unhand her!”
Guy pulled away from her but remained close.
Phineas advanced towards Guy. “I should challenge you to a duel for what I just witnessed.”
“That would be a foolhardy thing to do,” Guy replied. “I would hate to shoot my fiancée’s cousin.”
Phineas looked displeased. “You two are engaged?”
“We are,” Daphne confirmed.
“I suppose congratulations are in order,” Phineas muttered. “I shall go secure some champagne.”
As Phineas walked out of the room, Guy said, “It doesn’t appear that your cousin is too pleased with the news.”
“He will come around.”
