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‘How long what?’
‘For how long were you planning on being married to him?’
‘Long enough for my foster care application to get approved. Possibly even made permanent.’
‘That could take years.’
‘We hadn’t really nailed down a finish date. It was going to depend on how things worked out with the initial application.’ She licked her lips. ‘Of course there were going to be hoops.’
‘The first of which was him sticking around for the wedding ceremony,’ Elias said dryly.
The dart hit home. ‘Shaun hasn’t had it easy,’ Darcie said defensively. ‘I knew it was a big ask of him. But he would have gone through with it if you hadn’t stormed in there like you owned—’ She broke off and glared at him. ‘Like you had any right to...’
‘To what?’
‘To follow me. To question me.’ She flung her head back. ‘To interfere with my life inanyway.’
He was closer again now. ‘He doesn’t love you.’
So what? No one did. Almost no one ever had. Except for Zara. And Darcie loved Zara’s daughter Lily like she was her own. Shewasfamily. The only one she had. ‘And I already told you, marriage isn’t always about love. And since when were you such aromantic? You don’t care about anything other than your work. You’d never consider marriage. You’re so cynical and controlled you—’
She broke off, realising how far over the mark she’d trod.
‘Don’t stop now, Darcie. Tell me how you really feel.’
How shereallyfelt? About the hope she’d felt when he’d proposed—that it had been so selfishly centred? She shook her head and reminded herself of the basics. ‘This isn’t about that anymore. This is about Lily.’
Darcie ached to spare Lily the life both she and Zara had experienced.
He stared down at her. ‘And you would do anything for her.’
‘Yes.’
‘Then why haven’t you married me already? We could’ve been done five minutes ago.’
‘Because you didn’t know the whole story.’
‘And now I do.’
‘Yes, but—’
‘Why the hesitation?’ He suddenly frowned. ‘Oh, I see, they’ve met Shaun. You turn up with a new groom now, you’re going to look sketchy.’
‘Actually, I hadn’t told them yet.’ She bit her lip. ‘I wanted to make sure it was going to happen first.’
‘You thought he might not come through for you?’
‘I just wanted to be sure.’
‘Can you be sure with me?’
She didn’t know how to answer that.
His eyebrows shot up. ‘You’ve been working for me for years. Do you not know me well enough to know you can count on me?’ A sharp intake of breath. ‘I’ve even brought you all the way here, Darcie. Now I’m really offended.’
‘I didn’t mean to offend you,’ she mumbled. ‘But it’s not personal. I’m never sure about anyone.’
‘No?’ His gaze on her narrowed. ‘Then be sure about this. I believe you’ve investigated all your options. You’re highly intelligent and capable. If this is what you think you need, then my offer stands,’ he said bluntly. ‘You don’t just need secure accommodation. You need a family home.’ He listed off the requirements. ‘You need financial security, space. If you would prefer not to work while you go through the system to get Lily, that’s not a problem. I can provide all of these things for you.’
