“Your Grace,” she squeaked in protest, her eyes flying to the closed door, where, at any moment, someone might appear.
“Quint,” he said and then kissed her soundly, his mouth hot and devouring.
He felt so wonderful that, for a moment, she forgot why she shouldn’t allow him to kiss her in the midst of his dining room just before breakfast. But then she remembered, flattening her palms on his chest and pushing gently.
He lifted his head, still grinning.
And oh, the way he looked—happy. Truly, magnificently, happy.
“You cannot kiss me like this,” she whispered. “It’s wrong. I’m your housekeeper.”
“Not any longer, you’re not.”
She stiffened, searching his countenance, her brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“You’re sacked,” he pronounced with great joy. “You are no longer my housekeeper. Therefore, I am free to kiss you whenever and wherever I like, including in my dining room at half past eight in the morning.”
Dread unfurled. “Quint, I need this situation. Please do not give me the sack. My mother and my siblings require everything I send home to them to survive.”
“Do you think they would like Blackwell Abbey?” he asked, further confusing her.
She blinked. “Do I think who would like it here? My mother, sisters, and brother?”
“How many of them do you have, by the way?” he asked thoughtfully. “A man likes to prepare.”
“Three sisters and one brother,” she said. “But I still don’t understand. What are you saying?”
His smile faded, his expression turning serious. “I’m saying that you needn’t send funds home to your mother and siblings any longer, nor do you have to be a housekeeper. Not ever again. They can come to us here at Blackwell Abbey. There is room aplenty for the five of them.”
Her heart iced over. “But I cannot be your mistress, Quint. I’ll not do it. Please don’t ask it of me.”
“My sweet girl, is that what you think of me?” He cupped her cheek, holding her as if she were fashioned of the finest, most delicate porcelain, as if she were priceless to him. “Of course I suppose you must. I’ve made a muck of this, haven’t I?” He stepped away from her suddenly, offering her his hand. “Come with me so I can do this properly, won’t you?”
Instinctively, she laced her fingers through his. But then he pulled her from the dining room, taking her into the hall where anyone could see their hands linked.
“Quint,” she protested. “Someone will take note.”
“Let them.” He grinned, tugging her into the library where a cozy fire was roaring and the fresh scent of greenery and fir surrounded them.
It was the scent of Christmas. Of hope.
“But…what are you… This is…” She was breathless, her words trailing away as he stopped beneath the kissing bough she’d had one of the footmen hang from the ceiling.
He turned to her, taking both her hands in his. “I’m not good at pretty phrases, and all my best plans have turned to naught, so I’ll just say it. I love you, Joceline Yorke. Not long ago, I believed I would never feel that tender emotion again. I believed myself incapable. In many ways, it was as if I’d died in that fire. But then you barged into my life with Christmas holly and fir trees and a smile that is pure sunshine, and you brought me back to life. Just like the flowers you found in the orangery and coaxed into blossoming again. Marry me. Be my duchess.Please.”
“Oh, Quint.” For a moment, she couldn’t find words. Her heart was flooded with so much unimaginable joy that her mind couldn’t keep up with itself. She had never believed he would wish to marry her. That he wouldloveher. “I love you too. But I’m no duchess. I’m a common girl who has worked in service these last nine years. I don’t belong in the gilded world of aristocrats and polite society. I never will. This cannot be what you want.”
“Of course it can,” he countered tenderly. “And youdobelong. You belong with me. Say yes, sweet girl. I know I’m too old for you and scarred and?—”
“Stop,” she interrupted. “You’re none of those things. I’ll not hear another word of such blasphemy. And yes, I’ll marry you. It would be my great honor to be your wife.”
The smile he gave her was dazzling. “No, my darling. The honor is all mine.”
They kissed beneath the kissing bough as snow began to fall anew, and for the first time since Joceline had been sent away all those years ago, she knew she had finally found her true home.
Right here, in the arms of the man she loved.
EPILOGUE
