“That is correct.”
Hugh nodded. “I have come to offer you an alternate position.”
Adele balked. Analternateposition? She had no earthly idea what he had in mind. “Where, Your Grace?”
“In my house,” he said.
“In your…” It was like a slap in the face. After everything they’d been to each other while he’d recovered from that injury, she thought she meant more to him than as a potential servant. She cycled through the possibilities. Did he want her to be a paid companion to his mother? Or, worse, did he intend to marry Lady Sackville and make her the governess to his children?
No. She could not do it. She stared at him now, took in his fine dark hair and his square jaw and his strong shoulders. She remembered the one night they had spent together, the way he’d told her never to have shame about her body, the way their lovemaking had been so perfect and beautiful. She remembered dancing with him at the Wakefield ball and the perfect way she fit in his arms. She knew beyond all doubt then that, despite everything, she loved this man, and she could not be a mere employee to him. That was a point she would not compromise on.
“Adele, you deserve so much more than a position with the Winchesters. I know also that the Earl of Sweeney intends to sell this house, so you cannot stay here any longer, either. And I thought perhaps the best way to rescue you from an undesirable fate was to offer you a position with me.”
Adele stared at Hugh in disbelief. He thought he was rescuing her? “You said once that you wanted me to be a part of your life once you recovered your memories.”
“Yes, I did say that.”
“And now you are offering me a position in your house?”
“You say that like these things are in opposition. Where is the contradiction?”
Was he serious. “You want me to have a position in your house. So, what, I can be governess to your future children? No, Your Grace, I cannot do that. I will not.”
He pressed his lips together. “Why do you say that?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Because somehow, against all odds, in the weeks that I’ve known you, I’ve fallen in love with you. I could not live in your house with your wife and your children and pretend that this is not true. My heart would break. Every day.” She was too hurt to be embarrassed, too angry that he would even make this offer to feel any shame at her admission. And it was out there now. So be it.
His face was unreadable. “I think you misunderstand my intentions.”
She turned to leave. She could not let this continue. He was destined for some other life, not this one, and she would… well, she’d find some quiet place to mourn him and then she’d figure out some way to pick up her life and move on. She’d done it before.
“No, Adele, please. Let me explain.”
She stopped and turned around. “Very well.”
He suddenly stood right before her. He reached over and cupped her cheek in his hand, then used his thumb to wipe away the tear that fell. “The position I’m offering you in my home is as my wife.”
“You… what?” Adele could not believe what she was hearing.
“I’ve come to ask you to marry me.”
“You… are you serious?”
“You just said you love me. If that’s true, then you cannot doubt me. I do not jest. And my friends will tell you I’ve thoughtof little else from the moment I left this house weeks ago. I believe they are quite tired of discussing it.”
“But the newspaper said you plan to offer for the Sackville girl.”
Hugh frowned. “Really? She’s dreadful. I’ve never met a more mean-spirited girl. I danced with her at a ball, but I did not propose. We danced at that same ball, you’ll recall, where I danced with you twice.”
“But what about… that is, society will…”
“I’ve given that a lot of thought, too. I don’t care what society thinks. Do you?”
She couldn’t help but smile at that, and then it started to hit her that he was serious. He had come here to ask for her hand. A giddy thrill went through her body, although she didn’t dare indulge in it yet. “I do not,” she replied.
“I have not spoken to my mother about this, nor have I asked your father for permission. I thought it important to speak with you first. If you were not willing to be my wife, then I figured I would spare myself those awkward conversations.”
Adele was sympathetic. Those were bound to be difficult conversations. “I suppose that could be an issue.”
