Chapter Seven
Felicity walked with Arabella and Harry in Hyde Park.
Their governess had offered to join them, but she’d wanted to be alone to stew in her thoughts.
Her children raced ahead along the pathway.
While Felicity enjoyed the cooler air, inwardly she was upset by the way Harrison had left her last night.
He’d mumbled something about seducing her, but Felicity wasn’t even sure he’d been the seducer.
She wouldn’t feel bad about what happened between them.
If Collin were looking down on them, Felicity suspected he’d be thrilled they had found happiness together.
There was no need to feel guilty, but she was only in charge of her own feelings and had no control over Harrison’s.
Her heart ached because she liked him a great deal.
Still, she’d already loved one man who had never committed his whole heart to her. She wouldn’t do it again. Collin had been a good business partner and father, but a wonderful husband, he was not. Felicity wanted an enduring love and not someone who couldn’t be with her because of guilt.
Annoyance flared in her, but she stopped to watch Arabella and Harry explore something in the trees. They’d adapted well to living in London so far. Finally, she was starting to think this was home for her and the children.
She frowned. Would things become awkward between her and Harrison? Would they need to avoid each other?
Pain flared in her heart because what bothered her the most was that he might not care for her as much as she cared for him. Yet his attentiveness indicated his feelings were just as strong. Logically, she understood he’d likely left because of his guilt that she was Collin’s wife.
Still, she couldn’t change that, nor did she want to. Harrison would have to decide if that ruined any chance they might have of being together. Felicity already knew that, for her, it didn’t.
She swallowed, the urge to cry bubbling in her. Dratted man!
She spun around and almost toppled over to find the man she was so furious with standing behind her. He stood there watching her intently, concern covering every curve and crevice of his face.
Felicity tilted her chin up. “Is there something you need, Your Grace?”
He flinched at her formality. A tinge of guilt flared in her, but it wasn’t greater than the hurt that swirled in her being.
“I’m sorry I left so suddenly last night.”
She arched a brow. “You seemed unconcerned about my feelings.”
“Felicity, you are Collin’s wife. He was my childhood best friend. I’m—”
She cut him off, holding up her hand. “Don’t you dare say anything about duty, Harrison.
I was Collin’s obligation for over ten years.
I have no desire to be that for any man again.
Our situation happened last night simply because I desire you, and yes, I even care for you, but I won’t beg you for more. ”
“I care for you more than you can fathom,” he murmured.
While the words thrilled her, she was still furious.
She stepped closer to him. “There is nothing wrong with what happened last night. I won’t feel sorry for it.
If your guilt prevents you from seeing and understanding how well suited we are for each other, then it is your loss.
I want to be wooed, loved, and desired.”
“How can I make amends?” he asked, determination flaring in his eyes. “I will fall to my knees and ask you to marry me now.”
Hope surged in her, but Felicity still wanted more. There would be no proposal until she was certain he would love her forever.
She tapped him on his chest. “Then seduce me, woo me, and make me believe that you will love me for all of time.”
Harrison placed his hand over hers. “As you wish. I’m sorry about last night. You are right about Collin. He was the most fun person I ever knew, and he never held a grudge. He would want us to be happy.”
The hope bloomed brighter in her. “Yes, he would.”
Harry ran toward them. “Harrison, I didn’t know you were meeting us here. Will you keep Mother company while we explore?”
Harrison glanced at her and said, “I will keep your mother company for as long as she will have me.”
*
Days later, Harrison sat with Felicity on the edge of the fountain in her garden. Both had their feet dangling in the water. Arabella and Harry had grown bored with the water and scrambled out in search of bugs.
Harrison intertwined his fingers with Felicity’s, and she smiled at him. “You don’t have to call on me every day.”
“I want to make amends for my behavior and show you I will be by your side forever. I want you, as my future wife, to understand that you are the most important thing in the world to me.”
He’d proposed marriage every day since his apology in Hyde Park.
“It is a cocky assumption to make that I will be your wife.”
Harrison twirled a piece of her thick brown hair between his fingers. “Not cocky. I’m just prepared to wait for as long as you wish. I love you, Felicity.”
Her eyes widened at his declaration. Still, it was true. They’d known each other for a little over a month, and maybe for some that would be sudden, but Harrison felt what he felt. Felicity was the only woman for him.
He glanced around to see if the children were within sight, but they were farther back in the garden, so he cupped her chin. “I don’t need you to say it back yet. I want those words only when you are ready.”
Harrison leaned forward and brushed his mouth across hers. The sizzle of desire sparked between them. Still, for him, love flared there as well.
He pulled back, and she beamed at him. “Of course I love you too. I knew there was something different about you the minute I spotted you spying on me from your study window.”
“I was shocked that you were frolicking in the fountain.”
She giggled. “But now here we both are.”
“I suppose I should be thankful for hot summers.” Felicity delicately kissed his fingers, and longing shot through him. Gruffly, he added, “Marry me. Be mine and allow me to be yours. I know this is sudden, but I swear to spend all of my days wooing you, seducing you, and loving you.”
She released Harrison’s hand and cupped his face. “I promise to marry you, but I still want to wait a little longer. Just so the children can get used to the idea of you and me. They already adore you. Let’s not rush it.”
Joy shot through him at the thought that this beautiful and practical woman would be his wife. He grinned. “I can wait.”
Felicity winked at him cheekily. “Still, I expect you to seduce me often before we say our vows. If you are going to be my husband in the future, you are obligated to do so.”
Harrison groaned, wanting nothing more. “I will start tonight.”
“Tonight is perfect, my love.”