“It’s all right. Just be quiet and listen for once, won’t you?”
Lucien sat upright again. “Fine.”
“Thank you.” Alexandra took a deep breath, her lovely bosom heaving. “I want to apologize to you. You said and did some very—very—nice things for me, and I…” Another tear rolled down her cheek.
Good God, this was too much. He’d just wanted her to come to her senses, not to beg him for forgiveness for every real and imagined slight. He slid off the bench and knelt in front of her. “Stop it,” he murmured.
“But you said—”
“Forget what I said. Just tell me your thoughts. They have always fascinated me no end.”
“Don’t jest.”
He took both her hands in his. “I’m not. You are the most mesmerizing, fascinating, compelling, desirable woman I’ve ever met.”
“I love you,” she blurted, and then flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Lucien kissed her back, pulling her across his legs so he could feel the warmth of her against him. “I love you,” he returned feelingly.
“Then I have a question to ask you,” Alexandra continued, her voice shaking and tears flowing down her face.
“Yes?”
“Will you marry me, Lucien?”
He kissed her again, roughly. “I told you I would, Alexandra. Thank God you haven’t completely come to your senses.”
“Ihave, finally. Thanks to you.” She ran her fingers along his jaw. “I think I just couldn’t believe you would want me.”
Lucien chuckled. “I locked you in the damned cellar, Alexandra. You were beginning to try my patience.”
“You try mine all the time.”
“And I hope to continue to do so.”
She pushed a little away from him, though she kept her hands wrapped tightly into his shirt. “You have to change your will.”
“Are you certain? I wantyou, Alexandra. Nothing else matters.”
“I understand that.” She shook him. “You’re very stubborn. Change it back the way it was, but make certain Rose and Fiona are provided for, as well.”
“Already taken care of.” Lucien kissed her again, wishing they were somewhere other than his garden, and that he hadn’t already sent for Vincent. “I’ll make you a bargain.”
“What sort of bargain?”
“I’ll put our heirs back into my will if you will marry me this afternoon.”
Shock crossed her face. “What? How—”
“It’s all arranged. Just in case you returned, of course.”
“Do you have a pastor in the cellar?”
“I would, if I’d thought of it. Do you agree?”
Alexandra laughed, her turquoise eyes dancing. “Yes. For heaven’s sake, yes, yes, yes! Marry me this instant.”
Lucien pulled them both up, then swept her up to cradle her in his arms. “As you wish.” He looked up as Vincent appeared. “Vincent, bring the coach around.”
