She did not stop him from cheering or shouting it to the heavens, although no one was ever going to hear him at this distance and above the noise of the swiftly moving current of the stream.
“I love you, Fiona,” he said, heartily laughing with the relief of it.
“I love you to the moon and back, Rob.” An enormous weight suddenly lifted off her, too.
She felt freer than she had ever dared hope, free and elated even knowing the impossible problem they faced, one he seemed certain would never destroy their love. She was not as confident yet, for it was a problem that would hover over them like an ominous cloud throughout their marriage.
She reminded herself again that Rob wasn’t Shoreham. He would never foist all the blame on her. He was her protector, and would protect her even from his own disappointment as the years dragged on and she remained barren.
If only she could give him everything he wanted.
No, that wasn’t quite right. Hewantedher, and this he had. What heneededwas a son to carry on the Durham line.
She doused the glimmer of hope that it might happen. She dared not think it was possible.
Nor was it a need he felt as acutely as she did. Perhaps in time he would come to regret it, but right now he looked happy…his dream come true.
Indeed, he looked ridiculously gorgeous as he smiled at her with a brilliance that outshone the sun.
The air surrounding them felt deliciously warm and light.
Together.
They would work through the good times and bad together.
She stared up at him. His smile had never been broader, a big, sloppy smile that stretched from ear to ear. His soul-deep eyes had never looked more sparkling, for he was obviously filled with joy.
Perhaps he understood better than she ever had that their bond was forged in iron and unbreakable. He must have felt this ever since he was a little boy. Even then, he’d been so handsome and serious, looking up at her with worshipful eyes.
“We should make the announcement tonight and marry before this house party ends,” he said, never one to waste time in gaining his objective. “Cherish and Margaret will attend to all that needs to be done in time for the wedding breakfast. Not to mention, this will shut up Lady Cordelia for good.”
“Oh, she’ll still find something venomous to say about us.”
“Who cares? You’ll be my wife and…although I know it is not properton, for most dukes and duchesses maintain their separate quarters, do you have any objections to our sharing a bed?”
She found his wicked grin impossibly appealing. “Rob, are we really going to do this?”
“Share a bed? Behave wantonly and do the nasty deed?”
She laughed. “I am speaking of our getting married.”
He nodded. “Is tomorrow too soon for a wedding?”
Chapter Thirteen
Rob held Fiona’shand as they walked back to Northam Hall, afraid to let go of her lest she fly away on a gust of wind. He dared not breathe or glance at her for fear she would change her mind. But holding her hand anchored her to him and made this moment feel real.
She had agreed to become his wife.
He had never felt such joy arising from a moment of despair, for only a short while ago he had been standing alone at their fishing spot watching his hopes be carried away in the stream’s fast-moving current. In that moment, he had given up on his dream of ever marrying her, certain he had lost Fiona forever.
Then suddenly, there she was beside him, her chin wobbling as she held back tears.
He saw into her heart, saw how badly it was tattered and torn to pieces because she loved him so fully, with all her heart and soul, and yet felt herself unworthy to be his wife.
Her?Unworthy? She was his fairy princess and would always be this magical sprite for him.
Even now, her dark, windswept curls danced about her ears and her eyes shimmered as bright as starlight.
