Married By Twelfth Night (Regency Christmas Brides)

28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“What are you doing?” Grace took a panicked step backward, then another. Had her mother knowingly sent her into this trap?

“We’re having a talk,” he said. Why was he smiling like that? Why was he smiling at all? Shouldn’t he be as upset as she was?

She furiously shook her head. “But you aren’t saying anything.”

“Not all communication requires talking, but there are a few words that need to be said. Gracie May Steele, I’m in love with you.”

Her breath caught. Love? Her? “W-what about Ruth?”

“I made it much more complex than I needed it to be, but the answer is rather simple. I choose you.”

Her laugh came out high-pitched and strained. “You’re teasing me again.” Her next step backward was matched with his step forward. It couldn’t be true, no matter how hard she had wished it. Could she be dreaming?

“I haven’t been teasing for a long time.” He pointedly glanced up, and her eyes followed his gaze. Somehow, they had ended up under the infamous mistletoe . . . again.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she whispered, her own smile erupting.

He leaned toward her. “I’ve heard that before. Right before I was called a coward.”

Her heart beat an anticipatory staccato in her chest. “That couldn’t have been me. ”

He reached up and pulled one of her bonnet strings, releasing it from its bow. “Who else?”

She cleared her throat. “I don’t think you’re a coward.” She might be, but he was definitely not.

“You’re just trying to get out of this kiss. But I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I passed up a tradition .”

Good heavens. “You remember that, do you?”

He nodded long and slow. “I remember everything you say.”

She bit her bottom lip as if hiding it from him, completely unprepared. “All of it?”

“Every precious word.”

He’d barely finished his sentence before his head lowered and there was no more hiding her lips from him, nor did she want to. He loved her. He had chosen her. Her bonnet dropped to the floor, while her spirits soared. Last time had been a surprise, like two hearts accidentally bumping into each other, sparks igniting. This time was different. Their two hearts had grown close, and each movement of their mouths stoked the flames between them until they grew into a full-fledged fire.

Her hands could not hold him close enough. She wanted forever with him. He reciprocated, holding her firmly against him, his touch cherishing and passionate.

Richard pulled back long enough to whisper, “Now you will be my home,” before his lips found hers again.

The shock of his words made her push him back again. “But Richard. What about Belside?”

His lips finally relinquished their furtive intentions, his heady gaze sobering. “Do you mind so very much being poor?”

She gave a short laugh of amazement. “How could I if I was rich in my heart? ”

“Do you love me then, Gracie?”

“I think I’ve always loved you, Richard. I’ve just been fighting the feeling for a very long time.”

His smile reemerged. “There’s plenty else to fight about, so let’s stop fighting this.”

“Richard, I—”

He put his finger to her lips, as if sensing her argument. “I don’t have all the answers yet. I have some business to work out first. Will you wait for me? I am not certain how long it will take us to sort everything.”

She thought of her aunt’s letter inviting her to London but immediately tossed the idea aside. “Of course, I will wait.”

He kissed her again, this time a short peck that was not nearly long enough. “I will come to see you as soon as we return.”

She nodded, reluctantly releasing him. Happiness swirled with guilt. In accepting his love, she was ruining so much for him and his family. Were they making the right choice?

He swiped her bonnet from the floor and set it back on her head, smoothing the hair by her cheeks that had no doubt become loosened during his kisses. His hand slid to her ribbons, and she watched amazed as he tied it for her. His gentle, featherlike touch on her neck sent gooseflesh down the whole of her.

When he met her gaze again, he winked and stepped back. “Don’t forget to miss me. You know how I appreciate it when you long for my return.”

Laughing, she gave him a playful shove. “Hurry so I do not have to pine overlong.”

He dipped his head and left her alone in the entrance hall of Belside. She should have left at the same time, but this manor had become so much like her own that she had forgotten it was not her home too.

Turning in a circle, she studied the thick white trim edged with gold paint, the columns by the door, the pale painted walls, the gleaming crystal chandelier. She had been weak just now, letting Richard give all of this up.

Sighing, she relented to leave the decision with him. Meeting with his solicitor could jolt him back to the harsh reality of his situation, but she had promised to wait for him, and she would.