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I would risk everything to kiss you again, and for the rest of my life. If you’re willing to do the same, to marry me, then how can I refuse?Before she knew it, her mouth had opened, to shape a quiet and nervous, “Yes.”
“Do you mean it?” He leaned in, his mouth alluringly close to hers.
She nodded, her resolve strengthening by the moment. “I do, Dorian. With all my heart, I do.” Her head might not have agreed, but she did not want to listen to anything that could dampen her spirits right now.
I only have doubts because it will be an uphill struggle for us against society’s judgment and because I have lost things I cared for in the past,she told herself sternly. But if she did not try and change that run of bad luck, then she knew she ought to have stayed in London and never ventured into this brave new world, to begin with. Here was a gentleman who loved her. If that was not worth taking every chance, and battling through every challenge to come, then she did not know what was.
“You will not regret this. I will make it my life’s work to ensure that you do not.” His head lowered the last few inches toward hers, and her lips parted slightly in anticipation of his kiss. He stole away her breath as his mouth pressed to hers, her body rising up to meet his as her arms slipped around him, feeling the strong muscles that rippled across his back.
She sank into the experience as though last night had not been the first time she had kissed someone, her lips matching the sensual rhythm of his, as his hand moved to her neck. It came as a slight surprise when his tongue glided into her mouth, running against her own tongue and exploring fervently, before retreating again.
Curious, she decided to try out the action for herself, and tentatively flicked her tongue into his mouth, reveling in the warm, unusual sensation that lit a shivering blaze within her abdomen. He smiled against her lips and kissed her harder, the heat rising through her as she met his fervor in kind. Her fingernails raked across the back of his broad shoulders, gripping at the fabric of his tailcoat, prompting him to bow his head and gasp against her throat before resuming his eager kisses.
“We should stop before I lack the power to control myself.” He drew back slightly and placed one last kiss upon her lips, before sinking back onto his haunches. Her body yearned for more, as her lips longed to taste his again, but she knew he was right. Until they were wed, she needed to protect her honor and ensure she maintained her own self-control, for she had heard enough stories on the streets of London to be wary of pre-marital relations.
She nodded. “As long as you promise you’ll kiss me again and won’t try to keep your distance as you threatened to last night.”
“I promise.” He smiled wide, a throaty chuckle escaping his lips. Slowly, he got to his feet and stepped back until he perched on the armrest. “Now, you must be aware that things will change from this moment on. As my betrothed, you are hereby relieved of your duties in the laundry. I will speak with Mrs. Whittaker to ensure a suitable bed-chamber is prepared for you, and I will also ensure you are given a study of your own, where you may draw your designs as well as begin to plan for our wedding. Mrs. Whittaker will be at your disposal for anything you may need for our nuptials, and she will see that your ideas are put into action.”
She won’t like that.Rose held her tongue. She knew this news would cause a shocking ripple through the household, but if she wanted to be with Dorian, then she would simply have to endure it.
“Come, I will take you to the bed-chamber that I think you will favor the most, and then I shall regale Mrs. Whittaker and Hudson with our happy news,” Dorian said, offering his hand to help her out of her chair.
She took it and allowed him to lead her out of his study and back to the entrance hall, which now lay eerily empty of staff. Looking around at the grandeur of the house and realizing that all of this would be her domain when she married Dorian, she knew she ought to feel exhilarated with joy. And yet, as she turned back to look through the imposing windows, which revealed the front lawns of Langston House, she could not rid herself of the nagging fear that clung to the back of her mind.
She feared the actions others might take when they found out that she was to become a Countess, for greed and envy could make people do desperate things. Otherwise, they would not be considered deadly sins.
