“Not where my world is concerned, Collette—or your brother’s—and whether you like it or not.” He turned to meet her gaze. “Your world too.”
It was moments like this that the weight of society caught up with her. It reminded Collette of the sinking sensation she had felt when Miss Primm had told her she was terminating her employment.
As much as she’d like to convince herself she had choices, in truth, they were far and few between. The small sound that escaped her was supposed to be a protest but ended up sounding almost like a sob.
“Look at me, Collette.”
She was incapable of defying him.
“I have kissed you now, on two separate occasions. And if we hadn’t been interrupted, it would have been three. To be perfectly frank with you, if—strike that—whenI have another opportunity, I’ll want to do even more. And I think you might as well.” He edged closer and that invisible pull had her turning and allowing him to take hold of her hands.
“We must marry, Collette, for both our sakes.”
“Not really for your sake.” He was a duke! “But you believe it would be for mine.”
Two worry lines appeared between his eyes, giving her a glimpse of emotion he normally kept well in check. “Not only for yours. I wish to… Iwantto marry you.”
She rubbed her thumb along the back of one of his fingers, thinking that sitting like this felt familiar… And she studied their hands—hers looking almost frail against his, which were not only larger but defined and masculine.
The image. It was… right.
When had this happened?
“But why?” she asked.
Rather than answer, he leaned forward and—
“Oh…”
His kiss, though brief and almost chaste, was worth at least a thousand words.
“Marry me, Collette.” His words came out as a demand, a question, and a plea all at once and somehow broke through the turmoil she felt from the unexpected gesture.
He wouldn’t ask if he thought she would fail as miserably as she thought she would—if he truly believed her to be vulgar and unladylike—would he?
Was it possible thatthis, thathe, in fact, was her best choice?
By marrying him, she would no longer face a future where she depended on her brother for the rest of her life, nor would she have to consider marrying some other gentleman, one she had no feelings for.
She wouldn’t have to consider taking positions hundreds of miles distant from the people she loved most in the world. She could have children of her own. Children who would have Addison for a father.
And most importantly of all, she could spend her life getting to know Addison better.
His eyes searched hers, his expression grim even as he awaited her answer. “Please.”
Yes.
It was she who leaned forward this time, lifting her mouth in invitation. “Mhmm,” she uttered, closing her eyes.
“Yes?” He was close, the warmth of his breath dancing in the air near her lips. But he was not kissing her.
“Yes,” she clarified. “But you are supposed to kiss me now.” She kept her eyes closed and didn’t sigh in relief until he closed the distance between them.
Collette thrilled when he loosened his grip on her hands to settle his arms around her back. The kiss was not brief, nor was it going to be chaste.
* * *
Addison had expected moreof an argument from her. He’d expected her to insist it wasn’t necessary and to ask him for time to decide—a week, at the very least.
