"Sin, never in my wildest fantasies had I imagined my body could feel that way," Sophie finally spoke, awed.
"I am no novice, Sophie, but even for me that was truly astounding. Maybe you really are a Goddess, Venus reincarnated."
Sophie giggled against his skin.
"You flatter me too much, Sin."
"Yes, but it is all truth," he said with seriousness as he sat them back up. He stood to fetch them refreshment, as he knew they would both be thoroughly dehydrated after such intense lovemaking. Sitting back down, he handed her a glass of water.
"Sophie, you must know that for me this isn't some affair or meaningless tryst. I want to marry you." He was sure he could have made this sound more romantic, but he had no idea how. This type of conversation was foreign to him. He had tripped over lust and fallen into love, and he was unable to stop himself from letting her know.
Disappointment sank low in his belly when, instead of looking pleased, she frowned.
"I am flattered, Sin, but I am not looking to remarry at the moment. You must understand. I spent years married to a man I did not choose and never came to love. My whole life was dictated for me until I found myself widowed. I am not ready to lose my newfound identity."
Despite the hurt of rejection, Sin realised her feelings had more to do with her and the past than with him and the future.
"I would never take your identity away. Who you are in this moment is the Sophie I adore. The clever, art-loving, sexy Sophie."
"You are an heir to a marquessate and I am not sure I can even have children to pass your title on to. You have only recently returned from abroad; don't you want to see what options there are on the marriage mart? Younger and more polished debutantes, the diamonds and incomparables? I am the exact opposite of all that." She gestured towards her still naked and voluptuous figure.
"Sophie. The thought of tying myself to one of those simple waif-like chits does the exact opposite of making my cock hard. The future I see for myself is days spent with a full-bodied woman with fiery ginger hair and jade eyes that can talk art and history, and banter daily with her clever wit. And just because you did not come to be with child in your first marriage does not mean the problem lies with you."
Sin realised his conceit, as he had assumed his offer of marriage to any woman would be met with a resounding yes. What a sobering moment. He rubbed his face in his hands.
"Sin, I do not mean to hurt you or sound unfeeling. Give me time? And perhaps you should also take some time to consider if this is what you want."
He could not be angry at her; this forthright logical honesty is what he admired about her.
"Of course. I do not plan on giving up; I know what I want. You. All I can do now is try to convince you to change your mind. Do you want to view the pot again?"
He knew she would need to leave soon and didn't want their last moments after such a magnificent time spent together to end on anything but a high note.
"I would love to! Let me dress first." As she dressed, she looked around his quarters. They boasted a drawing room, bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, and study. The rooms all had tasteful and expensive furniture made of cherry, oak, and mahogany with a masculine flair and no florals or feminine touches. It was a typical bachelor lodging.
"I do hope you move the pot to your townhouse in order to give visitors an opportunity to marvel at its beauty. I would not imagine you do much socialising in your rooms."
"Yes, the rooms are a necessity to keep some space from my father, but I spend most of my time with him or at White's since I still have many old friends to be reacquainted with. Perhaps you and I, along with Daniel and Margot, could take in an opera next week?" He did not want her to leave without having some certainty of when he would see her next.
"I believe Rossini'sIl barbiere di Sivigliais playing at the King’sTheatre. I would love to see it," she said giving him a warm smile. He could tell by the light in her eyes that she was happy he had already asked to see her again—this gave him hope.
"Consider my company to be all yours.".
Chapter Fifteen
Margot thought it was a good idea to take the children for a picnic in Hyde Park while the weather was nice. Sophie now seriously questioned the idea, as the two boys wrestled each other every time Margot and Daniel let go of them. They were now trying with some success to convince the boys to take a nap.
"I think I would love to have a girl first," Sophie said out loud.
"Since when were you thinking of having children?" Margot asked.
Sophie had not regaled her with the entire truth of the events of her trip to Sin's, but had given a tamer version of their lovemaking. She had definitely not told Margot of his proposal. She would eventually, but for now she wanted her thoughts and decisions to be completely her own and not tainted by any other opinions.
"It was just a thought. I don't know if I would have the energy like you do, Margot, to keep up with your sweet boys," she said, looking at their perfect faces. They certainly looked like little angels even though they acted like little imps.
"Trust me, it just comes to you. I never actually feel the exhaustion until my head finally hits the pillow at night."
"Which is a shame, since it means I get no quality time with my wife," Daniel joined in, giving Margot a wink.
