A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

" D id he actually try to send me letters?" Anne wondered aloud. "I wonder what they said."

She paced back and forth in the parlor. Phoebe had encouraged her to give the Viscountess the details that were pertinent, and the two of them pleaded with her to allow Anne and Noah some time to speak privately before making introductions.

"It is highly improper," the Viscountess sniffed, but she added, "However, I don't know how one could refuse a duke, so I will allow it."

Anne had been excited and nervous since she received her aunt's permission. She and Noah had only exchanged a few words in the park, and she was unclear of what he would be calling on her for after the way things ended between them.

"Perhaps he just wants to make his apologies and enter his nuptials with a better conscience," she told herself. "What if he wants me to meet the bride? He enjoyed my cooking. What if he hopes I will prepare part of the meal if I am still in London? He wouldn't dare ask that, would he? He did spend such intimate time with me while he was promised to someone else. Oh, I just don't know what to think."

She continued, "I'm being silly. He wouldn't ask such a thing of me, but he might seek my forgiveness. That does seem like him. If he does, perhaps I shall give it. He may not have been the one to tell me the truth, but he didn't lie about it when it came out."

Anne was still walking back and forth, uttering possibilities to herself when there was a knock at the door. Her breath caught, and she felt nervous and weak. She glanced at the mirror and smoothed her dress once more.

I wish I hadn't cried so much all this time. My face is puffy, and my nose is red, she thought.

As she was having second thoughts about having him turned away, a maid brought the Duke into the parlor.

"Lord Noah Campbell, Duke of Grandon," the woman announced before exiting the room.

Just as Anne was in dinner dress, the Duke had changed clothes as well. He looked especially nice as he had for the banquet — perhaps even more handsome. Anne had never seen menswear so fine.

Noah looked at Anne as well. For a long moment they only stared at each other silently. Finally, he said, "You look so lovely. You are radiant, Anne."

"Your Grace," Anne replied.

Noah had been smiling and beginning to step forward, but hearing her refer to him that way stung. He stopped in his tracks and looked visibly hurt.

"I suppose I should have expected that considering the way things might seem," he observed.

"Then, please, tell me how things are," Anne said softly.

"Things are that I love you. They have been that way for some time," Noah confessed.

"You are engaged to another," Anne replied, feeling herself want to cry again.

"I broke off my engagement as soon as I returned. Juliette seemed rather pleased to be free of the arrangement as well. Her parents and Diana were a bit cross with me, but there is not much say any of them have in the matter," Noah explained. "I remember you said you wanted no part in my breaking a promise to someone else, but as I told them, and Juliette agreed, it was not a promise I made — neither of us did."

"And the letters?" Anne asked.

Noah revealed them from his breast pocket. As he handed them to Anne, her breath caught, and the tears she had fought came down slowly, silently. As she thumbed through them, Noah continued, "I wrote to you constantly, apologizing, professing my love for you, and most importantly making it clear that the only promise I want to have is to you."

Anne still stared at the letters in her hands.

Noah urged, "Please, say anything. I poured my feelings into each letter in your hands and not hearing from you made me think I stood no chance. Then, I saw you in the park. Is there any hope?"

Anne didn't have words to respond. Instead, she threw her arms around Noah and kissed him. She kissed him with every bit of feeling that had been building since they met and since they had been apart.

Noah sunk into their kiss and held her tightly in his arms, kissing Anne more deeply. For each of them it was a moment that felt right and all encompassing.

When their lips finally parted, they remained in each other's arms. Anne rested her head against Noah's chest and breathed deeply. He inhaled a chest filling breath as well as before lowering his lips to kiss her forehead.

"There is one more matter to take care of," he said. "I want you to marry me, Anne. I want you to be my wife and promise me a life of allowing me to come sit with you in the kitchen, take you for walks, dance with you, talk to you until late in the evening, and to always love you and do everything in my power to make you happy. Say you will marry me."

He spoke gently and earnestly.

Anne kissed him once more; this time there was still need and longing but also tenderness between them. It was slow and lingering. It was just one of many kisses they would share.