She stood on the threshold for a moment, examining the array of instruments and tools on the workbenches.
“So this is your laboratory,” she said.
“Yes.”
He waited.
She walked to the telescope that stood near the window and studied it with an admiring eye. “You have a great deal of curiosity about many things.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“As you know, curiosity is one of my own besetting sins.”
He smiled. “I am aware of that.”
“It gives us something in common, wouldn’t you say?”
He hesitated. “Our interests are not always the same.”
“Perhaps not but it doesn’t matter.” She moved to a workbench and studied the static electricity machine. “It is the trait of curiosity that is important. You possess an inquiring mind. That is one of the many things that makes you so interesting, Benedict.”
Interesting.He was not sure how to interpret the word.
“There are those who find me decidedly boring,” he warned, just in case she had not grasped the point he was trying to make.
“It is only to be expected that those who lack curiosity about the wider world would find those who possess that particular characteristic uninteresting.”
“My fiancée ran off with her lover after she saw this room.”
“Face it, Benedict, your first engagement was a mistake. If you and Eleanor had gone through with the marriage, you both would have been miserable.”
“I am well aware of that.” He paused. “Which is why I want to be very sure that you know what you are doing if you consent to marry me.”
Amity turned around to face him from the far end of the aisle. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I love you, Amity. I want nothing more than to marry you.”
“Benedict,” she whispered. “You must know how I feel about you.”
“No, I don’t. Not for certain. I think I know how you feel but at this point it is only a theory—unproven and founded only on hope.”
She took a few steps toward him and stopped. “I fell in love with you on board theNorthern Star. I sensed that you had some feelings for me, but I was so afraid that those feelings were inspired by the knowledge that I had saved your life.”
“You did save my life. But that is not why I fell in love with you.”
Her eyes brightened. “Why did you fall in love with me?”
“I have absolutely no idea.”
“Oh.” The glow in her eyes faded.
“I could list all the things that I admire about you—your spirit, your kindness, your loyalty, your courage and determination.” He paused. “I could also add that you are a woman of great passion. Making love to you is the most thrilling sensation I have ever known.”
“Really?” She flushed a vivid pink.
“Really. Those things are all admirable traits, mind you. But none of them explains why I love you.” He took a few steps toward her and stopped. “That is what makes it all so fascinating, you see. Loving you is like gravity or the daily sunrise. It is a mystery that I know I will be content to explore for the rest of my life.”
“Benedict.”She rushed toward him and hurled herself into his arms. “That is the most beautiful, most romantic thing that any man has ever said.”
