She inhaled sharply. “And wait for me at Shoreham Manor?”
“No,” he replied, raking a hand through his hair. “I am going to leave you forever because there is no getting through to you, is there? You are using anything and everything as an excuse to keep us apart, purposely making a mountain out of theinsignificantdifference in our ages and your belief that you are barren.”
“Being childless is not insignificant.”
“If Mr. Barrow’s gut instinct tells him Shoreham might have been duped, then I am with him. I am truly sorry the proof is not clearer. Intensely sorry for all the anguish it has caused you. But I am fully aware of the risks and am willing to take them. Why aren’t you? What are you so afraid of, Fiona?”
“Rob…” She paled, although she had no reason to feel despondent when she had been the one to push him away this entire time. If he left now, would she ever see him again? “Rob…”
“No, Fiona. Don’t do this to me.”
“Do you think this is any easier forme?”
He took her in his arms and gave her cheek a light caress. “I know it is awful for you. Horrid. Painful. Heartbreaking, because you still have doubts about yourself. But I don’t and never have. You have only to say yes to my offer of marriage and I will be yours forever. This is all I have ever wanted. Stop making up rules for us. Stop choosing my wife for me. I know who I want, and it has always been you.”
She could no longer contain her feelings, and they burst out in a sob. “The ladies said I was an idiot not to marry you.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you going to prove them right?”
She laughed amid her wealth of tears. “Rob…”
“Fiona, enough. I cannot bear it any longer. Truly, this situation between us is ripping me apart. Forget adding another day, another week, or another year. Stop doubting. Stop trying to manage everything. Stop trying to control what is impossible to control. Just trust in our love. Do not be afraid. Whether we are childless or have ten children, you won’t ever lose me. So end my agony and say you will marry me.”
She looked up at him, staring into his gorgeous, silver-flecked eyes. “Gawain had no right to treat me like a child. If I wanted you in my bed, who was he to object? No one has the right to tell me what to do. Nor do they have the right to order you to keep away from me. If I want to be with you for a night, two nights, or even a lifetime, that is for me to decide.”
“Do you want to be with me for a lifetime?”
“You know I do. I want this more than anything.”
“Then no one can ever stop us from being together. Onlyyouhave this power. What are you going to do? No more dithering. Make your decision now, Fiona.”
She felt so torn inside, her heart completely shredded. But she understood that she would lose him forever in this very moment unless…
She let out several shaky breaths. “If I want to marry you, then I will, and no one is going to stop me.”
His eyes widened and he smiled. “What are you saying?”
“I don’t know.” She had spent her entire adult life shouldering the blame for something that might not have been her fault, although she sincerely believed Shoreham had fathered a child. Even if he had, who was to say their inability to have children was all on her?
Rob was not Shoreham. He would always love and protect her. He was everything to her.
Which scared her all the more, for he was the last person she ever wished to disappoint.
“Look at me, Fiona.Trustme. Take that leap. Think with your heart and not with theton’s false notions of duty to a title that should never have been mine. Will you accept my proposal?”
She hugged him with all her might. “Dear heaven, Rob. I am so frightened.”
“Don’t be, love. I have you. I will always have you and hold you, love and protect you, for as long as there is breath in me. This is our destiny, Fiona. Don’t fight it. This is how we were always meant to be. Just say you will.”
She continued hugging him, and now her eyes were squeezed shut tight. She couldn’t breathe. Not even her heart dared beat.
“I will, Rob. Yes. I will marry you,” she said in a ragged whisper. “I love you so much.”
“Yes?”
She laughed and looked up at him. “Yes.”
He lifted her in his arms and whooped with glee. “She said yes!” He shouted it into the wind while twirling her in his arms. “Yes, yes! She’s going to marry me!”
