Her friend breezed out of the room, leaving Blythe very much alone with a decision that terrified her.
Orlando sat at his desk, staring at the documents before him but not seeing anything.
He had been content with the ways things were with him and Blythe. He had not mentioned love because he had not wanted to lose her, but it was not good enough anymore, that conclusion he had reached last night, and the reason he had gotten little sleep.
He had lain there and rehearsed various speeches but feared that each resulted in her rejecting him in favor of her freedom and independence.
He also had nothing that he could offer Blythe other than his heart. Was that enough?
He loved her as much as any man could love a woman, but his funds were limited and his home was not adequate for a lady.
She also valued her freedom, which she has mentioned more times that he could count. Did she fear that he would want to take that away from her?
Should he make certain she understood that nothing else would change and that he admired and loved her more now than he had in Brussels.
Yet, with his proposal of marriage meant reduced circumstances for her.
He also could not continue in this matter and as much as he feared what her response may be, he had to confront her about their future, and spent the rest of the day preparing, finding the most eloquent words possible to describe how he felt about her, and hoped that it was enough.
Now, if only the terror would leave his being, all would be well, but the fear of saying the wrong thing built with each step he took toward her brother’s home, his panic growing.
Chapter Thirty
“Blyth, I love you!” Orlando announced as he marched into her parlor.
She nearly jumped at his announcement, startled by his tone, then shocked when she realized what he had just said.
There was also a determined air about him. Forceful and commanding as if he were prepared for war. She had seen that look often enough, just never on Orlando before.
“Have you been drinking?” she finally asked.
“One brandy, that is all.”
She had seen him drink more than that in an evening and remain quite sober.
He loved her.
Orlando loved her.
While she was thrilled and happy to know that she was not alone in her emotions, the announcement was unlike him.
“I love you and I want you to be my wife,” he proclaimed. “I am tired of hiding and sneaking in and out of the back door.”
She blinked at him. Was this his idea of a marriage proposal? She wasn’t certain if she was offended or not.
“You will either be my wife, share my home and my bed or we will share nothing at all.”
“Instead of a request, you are giving me an ultimatum?” Oh, she would have liked to have told Orlando that she loved him to, but he just informed her that it was all or nothing without even the hint of a discussion.
Did he already see her as his property? If so, then he could go hang.
“You wish to marry me,” she said calmly so that she was clear in what she thought she understood.
“Yes, I do.”
“You never mentioned the possibility to me before.”
“Because…Because I knew that you would not have me.”
