She smiled. “Every night with you is unforgettable.”
Tightening her hold on his hand, she allowed him to lead her into the lush and verdant gardens.
“I feel like I should know this place,” she said. “Is this a lord’s manor?”
“A duke’s actually, but as he is unwed, I don’t think he entertains. I had to put one of his horses down recently.”
“You meet all manner of people in your occupation, don’t you?”
“If they own a horse, eventually they’ll have need of our services, but let’s not discuss that tonight.” Slipping his arm around her waist, he drew her up against his side and led her toward what had originally captured his attention and imagination.
“Oh, my goodness. A lovely pond with a bridge. It’s beautiful.”
The fragrance of so many flowers still hung on the air. He’d noticed that as well when he’d first come here. Smells like this were difficult to come by in Whitechapel.
He escorted her onto the bridge and set the lantern down near his feet. He wanted to place his arms around her, but instead he merely stood beside her because he wanted to see her face.
“Do you think there are fish in the pond?” she asked.
“I rather suspect so. Not the kind one eats though.”
She chuckled softly. “No, I suspect they are not for sport.”
He closed his eyes for a minute, gathering his courage. When he opened his eyes, he realized all the bravery he’d ever need was standing right there beside him. “I’ll probably never own anything as fancy as all this,” he said quietly.
Turning her attention away from the pond, she gave him a warm smile as she reached up and brushed the hair from his brow. “No, but you’ll have your place away from the city where you can look out over London.”
He swallowed hard. “The residence won’t be as fancy as this manor and the gardens won’t be as elaborate, but if you were there with me, no matter how small or insignificant it might be to others, to me, it would be grander than all of this.”
She blinked, blinked. Her mouth formed a tiny O.
Taking her hand, he went down onto one knee. “I love you, Vivi, and I know I have no right to ask, but if you would honor me by becoming my wife, I swear to you I’d work like the very devil to make sure you never regretted it.”
She pressed her free hand to her lips, and the light from the lantern reflected in the tears welling in her eyes.
“I can’t go on like this any longer, sharing plans for my future when what I really want is to share plans forourfuture.”
“Oh, Finn.” She shook her head, and he heard the tiniest of cracks in his heart.
“I know what I’m asking, Vivi. I’m asking you to leave behind everything you know, because I don’t think I’d be welcomed or accepted by the toffs. I know I’m a selfish bastard—”
“No, no, Finn.”
The crack spread.
“If you’re selfish, then so am I because you’re all I want,” she said. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Yes! Yes!”
The crack healed as though it had never been as he surged to his feet, took her in his arms, and planted his mouth over hers, kissing her deeply, eagerly. He drew back. “I’ll get you a ring. It’ll be simple—”
“It can be a piece of string. I don’t care. When?”
“I’ll speak with your father on the morrow.”
Her eyes contained such sadness that it nearly broke his heart. “I don’t think my parents will allow it, will accept you, even if I confess to them that we’ve been intimate.”
“Then run away with me. Tonight, now.”
She cradled his face between her hands, and as he looked down into her eyes, he realized he would be gazing into them for the remainder of his life, until he drew his last breath. “I don’t have anything with me.”
