"She sounds wonderful, Sinclair. From what you tell me, I think you need to speak with her in person and clear up whatever this misunderstanding is."
Sin banged the desk with his hands and rose to his feet.
"You are absolutely correct! I am going to call on her now and see if we cannot sort this out. And if we can, I am going to spirit her off to Gretna Green lest I put my foot in it again!".
"Off you go then, my boy.”
Sin did not bother with a carriage and saddled a horse in order to get there as quickly as possible. Daniel's butler lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly in surprise when he opened the door to Sin and a horse.
"Sorry for the early hour, good man, but I must speak with Her Grace. Have a stableboy take care of my horse." He had barely remembered she was the widow of a Duke.
"Is that you I hear, Sin?" said Daniel from behind the butler.
"Yes, it is me, I must speak with Sophie." He handed the reins to the butler and stepped inside.
"Make yourself comfortable in the drawing room. She is probably still asleep, Margot is."
Daniel asked the housekeeper to check on Sophie and advise her that Sin was here. They sat in the drawing room and Daniel poured them each a cup of strongly brewed tea.
"So what is this all about? Our Sophie has certainly gotten under your skin, hasn't she?" Daniel tried to hide his smile behind his teacup, but Sin saw the corners of his eyes crinkle.
"Did Margot tell you that I asked Sophie to marry me? I gather Sophie informed her."
"Yes, she told me last night after I asked an incessant number of questions as to the tension between you and Sophie."
"In these few short weeks, I have fallen utterly and completely in love with her and I want to marry her."
The sound of a throat being cleared made him turn his head and he felt his cheeks flame. It was Sophie.
"Ah, I will give you two some privacy," Daniel said as he made a hasty exit.
"Sophie, I hope I did not wake you?" She looked a vision in a white day dress with accents of green that complimented her colouring.
"No, I have been up for a while. I did not sleep very well." Her tone was not warm but neither was it cold. She sounded weary? Curious?
Do I acknowledge what she just overheard now or after my speech?
"Sophie, first and foremost, I want to discuss what happened last night."
Chapter Nineteen
Sophie was working so very hard to compose herself. A smile threatened to break free as she watched this dashing supposed rake squirm in his chair after she overheard him declare his love. She had decided she wanted to speak with him as well. There was something special between them and she was not ready to cry quits over what she hoped was only a poor choice of words. If it wasn't, she intended to make it clear that it would be the first and last time he challenged her independence—especially if she was to consider marriage. After her inner heroine and inner critic battled all night, she decided she wanted it all and she would have it all. A life where she made her own decisions alongside a husband who made her toes curl. A life where she was an equal partner with whom to talk of any topic and tackle any issue. She would not settle for less. Sitting up straight and plastering a serious expression on her face, she gave him a nod.
"I am listening, Sin."
"After that first night we met, I asked Mr Welles to source the Ming bowl. I wanted to gift you a precious piece of art that reminded me of you. When I was last there, he gave me the good news that he had found it but advised me there was another person interested. He would not tell me who it was. When hestepped out of his office, I unscrupulously spied a note with your name on his desk and realised you were that other person. It was never my intention to suggest I purchase it because you could not afford it, I just wanted to gift it to you. I sent him a note this morning withdrawing from the silent auction. You must know I find your independence attractive. I adore all the things that make you so uniquely you. I had no plans for marriage until I set my eyes upon you, and if you give me a chance I will worship you like the Goddess you are."
The earnestness in his voice rang true, as did the genuine warmth shining in his dark eyes. Sophie felt her own eyes moisten at his heartfelt speech. Sin knelt down in front of where she sat and grabbed her hands, encapsulating them in his much larger ones.
"I hope those tears welling are those of happiness?" he murmured as he searched her face.
"They are indeed. I suspected there was more to the Ming bowl when you acted oddly as soon it was mentioned yesterday. I very much appreciate your intentions and now know you meant no insult. What I need you to understand is what the bowl represents—it is the first thing of value and personal sentiment I am buying for myself. I have come to value who I am. I now know who I am. Not someone's daughter or someone's wife. If I marry again, I want a partner, a friend, a lover. I want it all." Her voice was husky, full of emotion, but she made sure she had gotten the most important words out.
Now, she carefully searched his eyes for any sign of discontent at what she told him, but thankfully all she saw was admiration.
"Sophie, I have no desire for a loveless marriage or for a tyrannical rule over our lives. That is for weak, small-minded men. I want what you want, and I never knew I wanted it till I met you. I do have one request though."
"Yes?"
