“She did.” Lottie nodded, her dimpled chin tipping up. “I decided that she was right. For too long, I’ve been a coward, too afraid that I will be hurt again instead of being brave. That is why I decided upon the favor you owe me.”
His breath felt as if it had seized in his chest. The tenderness in her countenance was raw and unguarded in a way he had yet to see. He couldn’t help himself then. He reached for her hands, lacing their fingers together.
“What’s the favor, Lottie?”
Her fingers tightened over his, her eyes searing him with twin blue flames. “I was wondering if you might ask me to marry you again.”
He didn’t hesitate. “Will you marry me?”
“Nothing has changed since the last time you asked me,” she said. “I’m still terrified of what you make me feel. I may not be able to have your children. I can’t compare to young and beautiful debutantes?—”
“The devil you can’t,” he interrupted.
Lottie smiled. “I’m grateful you think so, but I’m well aware that I’m all too flawed and imperfect.”
He brought her hands to his lips for a reverent kiss, one on each. “Have you met me? I’m the definition of flawed and imperfect.”
“Then perhaps we might be flawed and imperfect together. Two jagged halves that together become one.”
“Say it,” he begged hoarsely. “Tell me.”
“I love you,” she said. “I love you, and it frightens me how much I do.”
“Thank God.” He tugged her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her. “I love you too, Venus.”
“Brandon, I’m not a goddess.” She was smiling up at him, quite disproving herself.
Because shewasbeautiful. Entrancing. Nothing short of magnificent. And she washis.
“Yes, you are,” he told her, surrendering to the need to feel her lips beneath his and taking her mouth in a swift, fierce, all-too-brief kiss. “You’remygoddess, damn it. And I won’t hear a word otherwise. Now, give me your answer, if you please. I cannot exist another moment more without hearing it.”
“I’ll marry you.” She cupped his cheek in one hand. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“You’ll be my wife?” He was grinning at her stupidly, almost afraid to believe what he was hearing.
Because after fighting to win her for so long, her capitulation was almost painfully easy. He refused to give Grandmother all the credit for it, however. The curmudgeon would never let him hear the end of it.
“I’ll be your wife,” Lottie affirmed.
He lifted her from the floor and spun her in a circle, her silk skirts floating behind her like a bell. They were both breathless and laughing when he returned her to her feet, and then hecovered her mouth with his and kissed this woman he loved, kissed her with all the longing and gratitude and raw emotion coursing through him. Kissed her until the door to the study burst open, and he reluctantly tore his lips from hers to find Cat and Pandy racing across the room in a cacophony of barks and girlish giggles.
“Papa! What are you doing with Missus Lady Grenspell?” Pandy demanded, out of breath from her relentless game of chase-chase.
“I’m marrying her,” Brandon told his daughter, smiling down at her and ruffling her dark curls.
“Huzzah!” Pandy launched herself at them, throwing one arm around Lottie’s skirts and the other around his leg.
Not to be left out, Cat joined her, bounding on her hind legs, tongue lolling as she gave an excited bark.
“Welcome to the family,” Brandon told Lottie wryly above the din.
And his beautiful goddess just laughed, her eyes dancing with merriment and love. “Thank you. I do believe I’ve finally found the place where I belong.”
CHAPTER 21
It was her wedding night.
Her second wedding night, so different from her first.
