She devastated his self-control, and for once he didn’t care if the world knew what he was feeling. He saw the answering love on her face, and the rest of the room disappeared. It was just the two of them, the way it had always been and was meant to be.
But now thou'rt cold to me
My own true love
Yet he I loved so well
Still in my heart shall dwell
Oh, I can ne'er forget my own true love
The last note lingered in the air. An instant later, thunderous applause broke out. Amidst the shouts, whistles, and foot stomping, he went to Primrose. Her arms looped around his neck as he carried her away from the mayhem—and past Grier and Fanny, who stood side by side, grinning.
In the privacy of the hidden corridor, he said hoarsely, “I wasn’t being cold to you. I wanted you to have a better man than me.”
“Oh, Andrew, don’t you know?” Her eyes glimmered. “Thereisno better man than you.”
“Even though… I didn’t tell you about Kitty?” He swallowed over the razors in his throat. “I wanted to, but I was ashamed. It was never good, never right. I tried to end it—”
“I understand.” The tenderness in her expression told him that somehow, miraculously, she did. “You were just a boy when you got tangled in her web. And, trust me, I know a thing or two about repeating mistakes. I won’t judge your past any more than you judge mine.”
“What about the fact that I left you with her?” he said with roiling self-recrimination. “I wanted to take you, but I didn’t have the money. Or the courage.”
“Andrew, you were scarcely more than a boy yourself. How could you be expected to take care of another child?” The compassion in her eyes made his own heat. “It was wrong of me to blame you, and I’m so, so sorry that I did. But don’t you dare question your own courage. You’ve survived more than I can even imagine, and I admire you more than I can say. Iloveyou so much.”
“I love you,” he said fiercely. “It’s been hell without you.”
Her dimples peeped out. “Does that mean you’re going to marry me?”
“I’ll challenge any man who dares to stop me.” He paused. “Er, unless that man happens to be your father. Or another of your kin.”
“My family adores you,” she said.
He was certain she was lying, and he didn’t even care. He would win her family over. With her by his side, he knew he could do anything… but did she feel the same way about him? Was it fair of him to ask her to give up everything to be his wife?
He forced himself to remind her of the consequences.
“If you marry me, you won’t be marrying a gentleman. You’ll lose your position, title, and fortune,” he said. “Are you certain that’s what you want?”
“Youarea gentleman, Andrew Corbett.” Her hands clenched his lapels in emphasis. “And none of the rest matters. I don’t want anything but you.”
He strode into his suite, didn’t stop until he had her in his bed. He followed her down, her soft curves swamping him with pleasure. With love and lust and joy beyond imagining. Looking into her precious face, he knew there was one last thing he needed to say.
“Thank you for the song, sunshine,” he murmured. “It is a gift I’ll treasure forever.”
“You know my fondness for the dramatic.” She touched his jaw, her eyes smiling at him. “I hope you don’t mind a lifetime of this.”
“A lifetime with you won’t nearly be enough,” he said, “but I’ll take what I can get.”
He sealed his vow with a kiss. Then again—with his body, heart, and soul.
Epilogue
Seven months later
That night, lying in bed, Rosie watched her husband enter their bedchamber.
Despite her dark mood—or perhapsbecauseof it—she noted how absurdly attractive he was. One wouldn’t think it possible, yet during their year of marriage, he’d grown evenmorehandsome. He smiled more. He looked more relaxed, his face tanned and hair gilded from the wedding trip they’d taken abroad. He engaged in daily physical pursuits—riding or boxing at his club—and his black silk dressing gown showcased his honed virility.
