Regardless, she would enjoy herself. Marcus did not want her. He’d made no romantic overtures. Heaven’s, he’d not even asked her to dance. She owed him nothing and had already paid him dearly. Tonight would be about indulging herself. Celebrating the holiday, laughing, and dancing. Perhaps even a little flirting—and if that happened with Mr. Ashe, then so be it.
Chapter 10
Marcus’s pulse sped. Why the devil was Ashe lingering around Daphne? And why the hell was she smiling at him? She’d told him her interest did not lie with Ashe, but her actions spoke otherwise. Had she changed her mind?
Bloody hell, He’d given her what she’d wanted. Kissed her soundly, and lost a piece of himself as a result. He took a long drink from his flask.
She was supposed to return to the sidelines, not spend her time flirting with Ashe. Marcus rubbed a hand through his hair, pushing a stray lock from his eye. If he were being honest he’d admit that he did not wish the life of a wallflower for her. She’d become a stunning woman—far too beautiful to linger in the shadows.
More than that, she was innocent, kind, brave, and full of life and intelligence. She was everything a woman should be and more. The lucky bastard who took her to wife would have no regrets. And why shouldn’t that man be him?
He started toward her then stopped himself. He had no right to intrude. If she desired more from him, she’d have made her feelings known. He pulled the flask from his coat pocket and took a long drink.
“You are of the age to marry. Perhaps the two of you would suit?”The Duke of Sheridan’s words rattled through his mind.“Mores-the-pity, for I don’t believe she will remain unwed for long.”He feared her uncle may have been correct. Like a butterfly leaves its cocoon, Daphne had flourished.
He swallowed back a protest as she took Ashe’s arm. Could he truly remain idol while his friend chased her skirts? Would he be happy while she succumbed to another man? His heart constricted in a way he’d never before experienced and when Ashe pulled Daphne into his arms, Marcus knew he’d never be happy without her.
Abandoning his flask, Marcus strode toward the dancing couples. He had to put an end to these shenanigans at once. Daphne was his. Perhaps she always had been and he’d been too much of a buffoon to realize it. But no more.
He approached then tapped Ashe on the shoulder. His friend turned to him but made no move to release his hold on Daphne. Marcus peered. “She will be finishing the dance with me.”
“I will not,” Daphne protested.
Ignoring them both, Marcus pulled Daphne into his arms. “Don’t create a scene.”
“I fear you already have.” She glared at him, a mixture of anger and something else, perhaps sadness in her gaze. “Why are you doing this?”
“I’m of a mind to marry you.”
She stared at him, her jaw slack, feet unmoving. “What?”
“You’ve been my every thought since the day you arrived. My every dream since we kissed.” He released her and dropped onto his knee.
The room went silent around them—a palpable quite so thick he could hear the beating of his own heart. It mattered not. The only person who mattered was Daphne. He had to have her. To keep her…to protect her…to love her. He reached for her gloved hand.
"You will. Make fools out of both of us." She yanked her hand back. "Get up."
Marcus would not be deterred. He recaptured her hand and brought it to his chest. “My heart beats only for you, My Dear Daphne.”
Tears clouded her eyes as she pressed her lips together.
Marcus rubbed a small circle over the back of her hand. “Marry me.”
Her eyes rounded, her hand trembling beneath his. "You're not the marrying type. You said so yourself."
“I am now.” He stood and pulled her against him, locking his hands behind her back. “I cannot imagine a future without you by my side.” He lowered his head to press his forehead against hers. “I love you, Daphne.”
“Oh Marcus,” she dashed a tear from her eye, “I love you too.”
His nerve endings tingled, heat spreading through him as hope swelled in his chest. “Then say you will be my wife.”
“Yes. I’ll marry you.”
The room burst into excited applause and calls of congratulations. Marcus ignored them all and captured Daphne's lips in a kiss full of promise and love. He'd found his best friend, his lover, his future in this woman, and he knew without a doubt that he'd never let her go.
Epilogue
Two years later,
