“You asked for three favors, not one,” she said tentatively.
“I am asking for a lot, I know.” The fierce longing in Ben’s eyes made her breath catch. “I vow I will make it worth your while if you let me.”
He was within reach now, and yet the distance between them seemed so vast.
“How?” She laced her fingers together, afraid that she might reach for him otherwise. “I realize now that I pretended to be someone I am not. And while that was unfair to you, it was to me as well. It was wrong of me to lie, and I won’t do it again. But I don’t see how we can be together when I am not the woman you want.”
“Youarewhat I want,” he declared. “You and only you, Livy. When you told me about your society, I reacted badly. It’s no excuse but being drugged and finding out about Arabella’s infidelity…I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I took it out on you, and for that I am sorrier than I can say.”
His explanation made sense. Livy didn’t know why she hadn’t considered his state of mind at the time. Probably because she’d been so wrapped up in her own hurt.
“You had every right to be angry.” Her throat cinched. “I lied to you…like Arabella did.”
“You are nothing like her. The situations are different. Night and day,” he insisted. “Arabella had affairs after we had agreed to recommit ourselves to our marriage. And she told me the babe she was carrying was mine when it wasn’t. You, on the other hand, just wanted to be who you are. Hell, you tried to show me in so many ways, but I refused to see it. I insisted on smothering you with my asinine expectations because…because I was afraid, you see.”
“Afraid of what?” she whispered.
“Of losing you. It sounds stupid, I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his brows drawn. “I realize now that everyone I’ve cared about has…left. Sometimes because I’ve deserved it, other times because of circumstances beyond my control. But you, Livy, you’ve been my constant for the last seven years. You were always there for me, and I loved you even before I fell in love with you. The idea of not having you in my life…”
His throat bobbed above his cravat. “I could take anything but that. And I reacted by holding onto you too tightly. In trying to protect you, I ended up pushing you away. I lost the one person who I love more than anything.”
Hearing the anguish in his voice, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She closed the last bit of distance between them, and he closed his arms fiercely around her. His heart thundered against her cheek, and being held by him, inhaling his familiar scent, she felt the world right itself again.
“You haven’t lost me,” she said. “I am right here.”
“Promise me you always will be.” He drew back, cupping her face with a reverence that made her eyes sting. “Although I cannot promise to be less protective, Iwilllisten to you and support your desires. When we disagree, I will do my best to compromise.”
Hesitantly, she asked, “What about my investigative work?”
“I will learn to live with it.” His words were a solemn vow. “As long as you’re mine, I can deal with anything.”
“I’m yours,” she said instantly. “Oh, Ben, I’ve missed you so much!”
His eyes flared with passion…and a hint of laughter. “Although I can’t deny that I missed you like the devil, sweeting, the truth is we were only apart for a few hours.”
“It felt like ages, didn’t it? Let us never fight again,” she said with feeling.
“The thing about fighting,” he murmured, tipping up her chin, “is that there’s the making up that follows…”
Then he was kissing her with a hungry passion that made her heart sing. She kissed him back just as eagerly, losing herself in the spell of their love.
“Ahem.”
The sound of Charlie’s voice jolted Livy. Blushing, she tried to disentangle herself from Ben, but he kept her firmly tucked against his side. Together, they faced Charlie. Mr. Chen was standing there too, his austerity compromised by the smile he was obviously trying to hide.
“Lady Fayne. Chen.” Ben spoke with ducal poise. “You may be the first to offer your felicitations. Lady Olivia and I are to be married.”
Charlie looked at Livy. “My dear, you are certain that this is what you want?”
“Yes,” Livy said happily. “Hadleigh says he will support my work as an Angel!”
Charlie arched her brows at Ben.
“Whatever my future duchess wishes,” he said simply. “If it is within my power to make her happy, then consider it done.”
Hooray!Livy’s eyes rounded as she considered the possibilities.
Catching her look, Ben shook his head ruefully…then winked.
