She raced to take it all in.
After.
What was he even saying?
Her mind couldn’t keep up.
Through a fast-rising panic, she blurted the only words she had. “I don’t want to go alone. I want to be there with you…” She sounded like a petulant child, and she was behaving as such.
His expression grew strained. “We do not have to do this.” He glanced over his shoulder at the door. “I’ll speak with Kilburn. There’ll be another way.”
He was willing to abandon all, because she was afraid to face down the ton?
Daria stayed him before he left. “Wait!” She didn’t deserve him. “I was taken aback. You know I struggle a bit when things are not as expected.”
Gregory’s eyes locked with hers. His slight pause told her; he needed her to do this. But he was also willing to abandon all for her.
Then, his gaze moved over her.
“My God,” he whispered, his voice a low drag.
Her stomach churned. “What?” Another uncertainty she could not stand.
Unblinking, he flicked his gaze the length of her silver beaded bodice. “You are a vision, little raven.” He curled a hand at her waist; the heat and heavy weight of his palm penetrated the luxuriant silk, and drew her into his arms. “How could I fail to see you all these months?” he whispered against her ear huskily. “This fabric I did not see.”
“No.”
Daria trembled with want for him.
She lifted her gaze. “Maybe it is because we did not attend the same ton events?”
“Yes,” he said, his eyes grave and confused. “That is precisely why. Because that is the only excuse for you proposing to my wretched arse.”
“I had it made for you,” she whispered before their lips touched.
His body stilled. The corded muscles of his chest coiled.
When he didn’t respond fast enough, she shifted on her slippered feet.
“My dress,” she clarified, suddenly shy and embarrassed at her announcement. “I know it is silly. But—”
Gregory’s kiss came violent. As his lips met her mouth, he bent her body to his will and sent the curve of her back arching over her vanity.
A short while later, Gregory handed Daria inside his crested carriage. “Be assured,” he was saying. “Kilburn went over the list himself. Three times. We have men stationed inside whose sole purpose is to send word if there’s any changes. You are safe. You’ll be safe there.”
“I know,” she said.
A faint line appeared between his brows.
“Unless you’d rather I not know?”
The ghost of a smile appeared in place of his earlier frown. Her husband signaled to the footman.
“Gregory,” she said softly, when he went to shut her door.
“Yes?”
“I love you,” she whispered.
