“What is that?” she asked, her voice shaking as she tried to rein in her hopes, her dreams.
“Losing you,” he said. “I don’t want to lose you, Marianne. Even if I don’t deserve you, I still…I still want you.”
She frowned. Want. He wanted her. That was something, but could it be enough?
“I love you,” he said, and his breath hitched.
“You…you love me?”
He nodded. “I do. I do love you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Please tell me you aren’t playing a game with me, Alexander.”
“I’m cruel, but not so cruel as that,” he said, and he reached out to stroke her cheek. “I love you, Marianne. And I don’t want you to run away. I want you to stay with me.”
Chapter Twelve
Marianne was just staring at him, and Alexander could see the confusion and pain and fear and hope all mixed on her face. She wasn’t certain of him and he couldn’t blame her, for he had given her so little reason to have faith since he met her.
Buthehad faith. And he was determined to share it with her. Even if it was terrifying to him. Even if he had to overcome the voice inside of him that said to run away from this future, from this woman who was so determined to heal his heavy soul.
“There’s a reason you found my sister’s cameo,” he said. “I believe that. I believe she led you to me. You are her final gift to me. You, a frustrating, amazing, sensual woman who can make me say and do all the things I’ve avoided for years. The woman who can see past my scars, and I don’t mean the ones on my face.”
Marianne’s bottom lip quivered and her frown deepened with every word he spoke. His heart sank. Had he waited too long? Was his rejection of her earlier in the day a final moment she couldn’t overcome?
“Please say something,” he whispered, hoping, praying.
“You love me?” she repeated again.
He nodded. “Yes.”
She was quiet for a moment, just staring at him, and then she moved forward, into his arms, her mouth lifting to his, her tears merging with his own as he kissed her deeply, passionately, and with all the love in his heart.
She drew away with a smile. “I love you.”
Joy flooded him, but he couldn’t surrender to it, not immediately. “There is something I must tell you.”
Her brow wrinkled. “More secrets?”
He shook his head. “No. It’s about Juliet.” She buckled and he caught her. “It’s all right, Marianne,” he reassured her. Then he told her of his encounter with her cousin and the bargain he’d made.
She stared at him when he’d said it all. “I cannot believe he would do that.”
“Nor could I.” He nearly spat to eliminate the nasty taste her cousin left in his mouth. “But I think we should go to London, Marianne. Juliet must be fetched. I don’t want to give that bastard any opportunity to renege on our bargain.”
She nodded. “I agree.”
“Good,” he said, and motioned to his horse. “Let’s go back, shall we, and I’ll make the arrangements right away.”
He helped her up on the animal and then swung up behind her. She settled back into his arms and he turned them back toward his home.Theirhome. His heart soared with the thought.
“At any rate,” he said, nuzzling her neck gently. “You’ll want her here for the wedding.”
She jerked her face toward him. “Wedding?” she repeated.
He laughed. “I love you, Marianne. Don’t you think there will be a wedding? As soon as possible?”
“You’re asking me to marry you?” she whispered.
