She lifted her gaze to meet his, and her heart fluttered… Butterflies…
And tingling filled her, because the look in his eyes was nothing less than love.
He stepped forward, one hand extended, and again, the sense of Greystone giving her away shook her.
“Violet,” Simon said.
She’d gone far too long without hearing his voice.
Greystone pressed a cool kiss to her cheek. “I’ll be right over there if you need me,” he said softly and then, with a nod in Simon’s direction, strolled to where the other couples waited… watching.
Her gaze shot back to Simon. A moment of clarity hit her. She would always be looking for Simon. No matter where she went or what happened today. Because her heart wanted to be whole.
“You came,” he said.
Despite being freshly shaven, and… had he had his hair cut? He was her same dear Simon. The man who’d crawled out of her bed in the early hours that morning.
“Are you going to tell me what all of this is about?” At last, she would have her explanations. “You are not my cousin’s butler.”
He shook his head. “I am not. I don’t suppose I’m a very good substitute for one, either.” He lowered his face and stared straight into her eyes. Violet swallowed hard.
“I don’t mind that. I just want the truth.”
“And you’ll have it. But first, my love, I owe you an apology for something else.”
The breath Violet inhaled was a shaky one. “Go on.”
“I asked you to trust me without telling you why. And then I imagined you were seriously considering Thompson’s proposal. That wasn’t fair of me. Trust needs to go two ways.”
She nodded. “Christopher is my past, and that’s where he’ll remain.” Was Simon to be her future? Violet reached up to touch his cheek. “I meant what I said last night.”
“You love me.” It was not a question but words that sounded almost reverent.
“Yes.” She wouldn’t turn back now. “But…” She dropped her hand, what she’d overheard that morning rearing up to shake her confidence. “You don’t want to marry me.”
“You were in my office—the butler’s office—when Greystone and I spoke.” Simon clasped both her hands in his. “You should have listened longer.”
“I was afraid to hear worse. You see, that’s the plight of an eavesdropper—hearing things one doesn’t really want to hear.”
“I never want to hide anything from you again.” His eyes were shining now.
“What would I have heard, had I stayed longer?”
“You would have heard me tell your cousin that I wanted my offer to come from my heart. I didn’t want any other forces at play when I asked. And I need your answer to come from yours. I want you, more than anything, Violet. You’re the person I need when I’m happy, or when I’m tired, or for a million other reasons just because you are you. I’m not making any sense, but… I’ve never needed another person in my life. Not the way I need you. I love you, Violet.” His eyes were shining as he dropped onto one knee, staring at her in earnest. “I pray you feel the same. Marry me? Make me the happiest of men?”
“Yes,” she answered, and then blinked… and then laughed. “You foolish man.” Shaking her head, she tugged at him. “Of course, I’ll marry you. Come up here.”
He drew her into his arms this time. But rather than seal their proposal with a kiss as she’d expected, he grew serious again.
“There is something else…”
“I will love you anyway,” she said. A person had no control over who they fell in love with. She hated the idea of thieving, or anything criminal, but she… trusted him.
She would demand explanations—eventually, but she didn’t need them now. She was simply happy not to have to live her life without him.
“Do you know how incredible you are?” A dazed sort of amazement lit the light blue flecks in his eyes. “Unbelievable.”
“I believe in you.” She shrugged. It was the unvarnished truth. But then she smiled. “I don’t know how, or why. I just… do.”
