Likely not.
He chuckled. Bethany was five and twenty, and part owner in a salon and gambling den, but was as innocent as a debutante right out of the schoolroom. Then again, such was not discussed with innocent misses and from what he gathered, misses were not given many details for what to expect on their wedding night, such as the changes in a gentleman.
At least her frowns had been out of curiosity and not displeasure.
“I do think it is unfair that you have seen all of me, but I was only able to enjoy what the gape in your bodice revealed.”
“Well, that is all you will be seeing.”
Leopold was not going to argue with her, but he knew that one day, not far away, he would be able to gaze upon her.
“It was more than desire, Bethany. It is love,” he admitted. He might as well admit the truth fully because they would wed and he wanted her to know. “I have wanted you for over two years and started to fall in love with you that spring and as much as I tried to hide it, even from myself, it never went away.” Her state of mind also made it easier for him to confess his heart, something he never thought he would do.
A bright smile burst on her beautiful face. “I fell in love with you too. And if you must know, I suffered a good deal of guilt over it because you were supposed to be courting my dearest friend.” She then frowned. “I have resented you because I loved you.”
“That makes no sense,” he laughed. Nor did it matter. She had just admitted that she’d loved him too, and he hoped that she still did.
“It does to me.” She added a nod in emphasis.
“Perhaps my being attacked was not such a bad thing after all.”
“My finding you was not such a bad thing. Your being injured was.”
“You had loved me. Is there a chance that you might still?” he asked. While he was glad to know what her heart had been then, what mattered is where it was now.
Bethany sighed. “Yes, you grumpy duke, I still do.”
He nearly snorted and rose from the bed. “And I still love you, even though you have treated me quite poorly until you came across me in the road.”
Bethany gasped.
He reached her side and placed a finger against her lips because he did not want to get into another argument.
“Perhaps a marriage between us may work after all.” Leopold was just about to kiss her again when there was a scratch at the door.
Bethany wasn’t expecting their supper so soon, but she was glad for it. She should not have drunk so much because she had confessed far more than she had ever thought she would. She also was not sorry for it either.
Leopold loved her. She loved Leopold.
This may be the very best Christmas ever.
Crossing to the door, she opened it to find George, her driver.
“How did you return so quickly,” Leopold asked.
“A mail coach,” he answered. “The horse I was riding lost a shoe and I had to leave him in the stables. A mail coach was leaving just then, and I found a seat.” George shook his head. “It is true. They do travel much faster than any carriage.”
“Where is Ellings?” Leopold asked.
“He is not coming. Instead, he sent this.” George passed over a bundle wrapped in paper.
“Thank you for your quick return,” Bethany said.
“Is there anything I can get you, Lady Bethany or you, Your Grace?”
“No,” she answered. “Find something to eat and then your rest.”
He gave a quick nod and left them alone.
