“I had a feeling you would.” His expression was intent, as if he were memorizing this moment. “Georgiana Flora Aileen Harrington, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, please.”
He slid the ring onto her finger. A perfect fit. Then he rose, drawing her close, and the fit of their lips was even more sublime. In fact, it was so sublime that she lost track of everything.
“Today, sweetheart?”
“What about today?” she asked dreamily.
“Will you marry me today?”
She blinked. “Today? That’s too soon?—”
“I want you to be mine,” he said firmly. “There is no point in waiting.”
“Even so, it is impossible?—”
“I have a special license.” He cradled her cheek. “I wanted to be prepared for the moment you said yes.”
Just like Thomas, who’d had a license waiting for Rose. The feeling of inevitability coursed through Gigi, making her heart thump faster.
This was meant to be. I’ve felt it from the beginning. This is fate.
She bit her lip. “But my family…”
“We can have a grand affair for them later, if you wish.” He brought her hand, the one wearing his ring, to his lips. “I will wait if I must, Gigi. But I am ready to start our forever today.”
Her head put up arguments. Would her family forgive her if she said yes? What would this do to her reputation? What would her friends and Society think?
Her heart, however, gave her the answer.
Trust in your love. Protect it. You belong with Conrad.
Giddy with love, she said, “In that case, so am I. Let’s get married.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
After Gigi consented to marry by special license, Conrad went to find Owen. The news sent her brother into a state of shock, and she couldn’t blame him. It was sudden and unexpected…yet it was also the rightest thing she’d ever done.
“You ought to wait.” Owen dragged a hand through his hair. “You must speak to Papa and Mama?—”
“I want this,” Gigi said softly. “More than I’ve wanted anything.”
“They are going to murder me.” Owen’s gaze had a frantic gleam. “It was bad enough that you convinced me to escort you here. Now you want to get married?—”
“I know it isn’t fair to put you in this position,” Gigi said. “I will accept responsibility for my actions.”
“As will I.” Conrad stood beside her…a united front. “You have my word that I will look after your sister, Lord Owen. That I will love, honor, and cherish her for the rest of my days. She will want for nothing, and I would lay down my life for her.”
Owen stared at Conrad. Then he braced his hands on his hips, his gaze directed at the ceiling while Gigi’s heart beat like a wild drum.
“You’ve made up your mind,” her brother said suddenly. “I cannot stop this, can I?”
Slowly, Gigi shook her head. “I am following our family tradition and marrying for love. I hope that you can understand…or forgive me, if you cannot. Either way, I know this is the path I’m meant to be on.”
Owen expelled a long breath.
“Who the devil am I to tell you what path to take?” he muttered. “You’ve never been lost a day in your life. Unlike me.”
