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“I love you, Mary Trenton.”
Her breath came out in a whoosh, and she realized she was gaping at him.“You do?”
His gaze softened, and the corners of his mouth turned up.“I’d hoped to do this in private, but…” He dropped to one knee.“Say you’ll accept my suit.I can’t bear the thought of being without you.”
She couldn’t believe this was actually happening.Ashford loved her.They were no longer just pretending.“I love you too.So much.But I fear I might be dreaming again.”
Ashford rose to his feet and tugged her into his arms.“If you’re dreaming, then so am I.But you still haven’t told me if you’ll have me.”
She brought one hand to his cheek.“Yes.”
He gave a whoop, one that was echoed by their audience, and swung her around.
Laughing, she leaned up to press a light kiss on his lips, wishing now that she’d agreed to his request for privacy.
He leaned down and spoke into her ear, his low voice and the warmth of his breath causing gooseflesh to rise on her arms.“I’ll be back for you later.I think it’s time I showed you everything I was holding back before.”
She pulled back and stared up at him.The look in his eyes reminded her of that night in the gazebo.“After dinner.I’m sure Amelia and Lord Lowenbrock will look the other way.I know they were together before their marriage as well.”
He drew both of her hands up to his mouth and dropped a kiss onto each one.Mary shivered at the sensation of his warm lips against her gloveless fingers.His gaze met hers, one corner of his mouth lifting.But all too soon, he stepped back and drew her hand into the crook of his arm.Together, they turned to face their rapt audience.
Amelia swept her into an embrace.“Didn’t I say that you and Lord Ashford made a perfect pair?”
Mary laughed.“You’ll never let me forget this, will you?”
Amelia grinned at her.“Perhaps in a few years’ time.”
Lowenbrock dipped his head.“You have a good man there.I know he’ll make you happy.”
Ashford smiled down at her.“I’ll certainly spend the rest of my life trying.”
