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“—and I can’t wait to discover them all with you.” He gave a rueful shrug. “I know I don’t have much in the way of fortune, and I’m a grumpy devil at the best of times, but Idohave a very impressive hothouse. And if that doesn’t sway you, then I think you should know that . . . I love you beyond measure.”
She gasped, and he let out a wry chuckle. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment you fell out of that tree and flattened me. Maybe even before that. Before I even went off to war. I never stopped thinking of you, even when I was in prison. I prayed that I’d live, so I could come back and find you again.”
His gaze bored into hers. “I believe Andrew knew, or at least suspected. I think, in asking me to give you that locket, he was . . . giving us his blessing. But it doesn’t matter what he would have wanted. What matters is whatyouwant.” He traced her lips with his fingertip. “Do you want me, Emma? Will you marry me?”
Emma didn’t have to think twice. Of all the men she’d ever met, she couldn’t imagine anyone better at her side. She threw her arms around his neck.
“Well, it would be rather scandalous if we just sailed off togetherwithoutgetting married,” she conceded breathlessly. “But that’s not why I’m saying yes. I’m saying yes because I love you too.”
His broad shoulders slumped in relief, and a devilish twinkle kindled in his eye.
“In that case, I take back what I said about having an affair. It will take a few days to get a Special License from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and I can’t go another hour without taking you to bed. Shall we be lovers until we’re officially wed?”
Emma’s stomach flipped with excitement. “Oh, yes please!” Her cheeks heated in anticipation, even as she sent him a cheeky glance. “I’d like to seeyounaked. It’s only fair.”
He laughed outright, and the deep rumble warmed her right through. “You got bloody close, stealing my clothes when I was bathing,” he scolded.
She tried and failed to look remorseful. “I kept hoping that bath sheet would unwind, but you must tie incredibly tight knots. It was most disappointing.”
His grey eyes twinkled with roguish intent. “That’s not what you’ll be sayingafterwe’ve made love, I promise you.”
She lifted herself up on tiptoe, offering herself up for a kiss, and Kit needed no further encouragement. He took her mouth in a kiss that left her breathless; fierce and tender at once. His big hands came up to cradle the back of her head, and she almost swooned in delight as his tongue swept inside to tangle with her own.
They were both panting when he finally dragged his mouth from hers.
“Come upstairs?” he growled.
Emma nodded, utterly certain. “Yes.”
A giggle escaped her as he caught her behind the knees and swept her up into his arms. He strode to the door, crossed the hallway, and mounted the stairs two at a time.
She wound her arms around his neck and rained kisses along the side of his jaw, savoring his groan of impatience and the heady scent of his skin. He was overwhelming in the best possible way, but she had no doubt that he would be a gentle and considerate lover. He’d known pain and loss, just as she had, but his heart was both loyal and true.
She couldn’t wait to start the next chapter of her life with him at her side. It was going to be a marvelous adventure, indeed. . .
THE END.
