Chapter 25 #2
“But…what exactly are you suggesting? You have insisted that you could never be a husband or have a real home.” She held her breath.
“I have said a lot of devilish idiotic things, haven’t I?
” Hart cocked his head. “Can we forget them after tonight?” With that, he dropped to one knee at the bedside, still holding her hand.
“You see, Emeline, I love you. I mean to marry you. I want us to make a real home and raise children together. I want us to make love for the rest of our lives…and search for artifacts in our spare moments.” He cocked his head in a way she found irresistible. “Will that do?”
“Oh, yes, that was quite wonderful. I accept!” She was weeping and smiling at the same time, her chin quivering. “Now then, do get up, Hart. Come and lie down here next to me and hold me.”
Quickly, he rose, pulled off his boots, and joined her on the bed, but maddeningly he remained on top of the counterpane.
“But what’s the point if we are separated by covers?”
“What are you suggesting?” He feigned shock.
“The entire household would have my head if they thought I was trying to have my way with you after what you have endured today.” Caressing her cheek with the edge of his warm, strong hand, he asked, “How are you feeling? Do you have pain when you breathe? Do you notice any changes when you move your arms or legs?”
“I feel fine. Just a bit tired, as if I’ve been on a long journey.”
“That’s one way of putting it.” Hart stared into the distance just long enough to remind her how close they had come to being separated forever.
“You must sleep,” he murmured at length, kissing her so tenderly, it only made her crave more.
“We will talk about our future tomorrow. Perhaps you’ll have second thoughts? My involvement with your father…”
“Papa admitted all to me, Hart. He said he was to blame, and you were only doing it to save your brother.”
He looked relieved, but only for a moment. “Yet weren’t you just as adamant as I was about never marrying?”
“That’s true, I was.” Emeline nodded. “But deep inside I didn’t really mean it, once I knew you.”
Hart drew back and arched a brow. “In that case, what about your Bridegroom List?”
“Oh, thank you for reminding me.” Adapting a concerned expression, she pointed to the low chest beside her bed. “Will you please look in there for a folded paper?”
He did as she asked, opening the top drawer and removing the sheet of vellum that she had folded into thirds. “But—wait.” Hart held the paper away, just out of her reach. “Is this going to disqualify me?”
“Give it to me.” Emeline tried to sound stern. When the list was in her hands, she opened it and pretended to ponder the contents. Then, unable to suppress a smile, she brandished it in front of him. At the top, were the words: THE brIDEGROOM LIST.
Emeline watched as Hart scanned the names that Louise and she had added over the weeks: a few random noblemen they thought handsome, Sir Giles Peyton, Viscount Tobias Melford. Finally, at the very top, one name was written in bold letters: LORD JASPER HARTCLIFFE.
Hart laughed in disbelief. “This is a jest! You added me a few minutes ago, when you were alone.”
She put down the list and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders.
“How could I? You saw the state I was in when you brought dinner, and I didn’t begin to revive until I’d eaten, and you favored me with the…
stimulation of your company.” Her smile widened.
“Besides, I had no way of knowing you actually meant to offer for me.”
“But…” He glanced over at the list again and then met her gaze.
Emeline fitted one of her hands to the side of his jaw.
“I’ve been in love with you for so long.
The rest of this list was a farce. Only your name was genuine.
” She leaned closer, aching for him as her body awoke again to desire.
“Part of the reason I continued to swear I would never marry was the realization that no other man would do.”
“Not even...Melford?”
“What?” She shook her head in surprise. “Tobias? Of course not.”
“Well, then, thank God I declared myself.”
She smiled at him dreamily. “Now please, do come here and hold me properly, not sitting on top of the counterpane! I promise to behave.”
Hart gave a low snort of laughter as she drew back the covers for him to join her. “This is mad. If your cousin should come in through that connecting door and discover us…”
“But you’re fully clothed, darling. Besides, even if we were both completely naked, I think Louise would be delighted!”
“If you say the word ‘naked’ again, I can’t be responsible for my actions.” He gathered her into his arms. “But you must close your eyes. What you need right now is rest.”
She smiled to herself. The feeling of Hart close to her, holding her against his warm, hard-muscled body, was pure bliss. Emeline felt not only his calming heartbeat, but also the depth of his love. He wanted her, but he could wait.
Just before surrendering to sleep, she murmured, “I think I must be nearly recovered from the accident because I’m having some…feelings.” Her hand drifted over his chest, concealed beneath a fine cotton shirt. When she dared to trail her fingers lower, Hart caught her wrist.
“I assure you, I am having the same feelings, but we cannot…not until I know you haven’t suffered any worse injuries.”
“Tomorrow?” Emeline persevered a bit groggily.
“My incorrigible minx, go to sleep.”