CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
While Roarke waited in the conservatory for Mara to arrive, he double- and triple-checked everything that had been laid out. Dressed in his best evening attire, he made sure all the candles were burning, that the expensive French champagne bubbling in their glasses was still chilled, and the silver domed meal that had been set up on a makeshift sideboard was yet warm, even though the smell was certainly enticing enough.
It was particularly handy having one’s own greenhouse on the property, for it allowed him to grow a variety of fresh fruit. Paring the combined sweetness of these different berries with the new Dutch process for melting chocolate, Roarke thought the dish would go far to tempt Mara’s pallet.
And it didn’t hurt that chocolate was known around the world as an aphrodisiac.
He would need all the help he could get, for tonight he intended to propose properly. He felt that he’d made significant progress with Mara in just the past two days they had been at Eversleigh Hall, and while he knew she was still hesitant about the troubles in their past, he intended to show her that the future was all that mattered.
As he heard the door open, Roarke clasped his hands behind his back and stood near the small, two person table that had been set up in the back of the room, past the sweet smelling, fragrant roses and various other flowers that teased the senses. He waited anxiously for her to come into view, and when she did…
He couldn’t stop the rush of pride that swelled in his chest.
She looked absolutely breathtaking.
“You’re beautiful, Mara.”
She stiffened when he called her by her true name, but considering that she might be as nervous as he was, he merely pulled out a chair for her and gestured that she sit down. She hesitated a moment before moving forward.
“Where are the servants?”
Roarke smiled. “I thought I might serve us tonight.”
“Oh.”
He could tell he’d surprised her, so just short of rubbing his hands together with glee that things were progressing nicely thus far, he went over to the sideboard and removed the lids to see that the cook had certainly outdone herself. A selection of mouth-watering treats awaited them, and after gathering a few items, placed a plate before Mara.
“My lady,” he teased with a wink.
She gave him a somewhat strained smile in return that felt his confidence slip slightly, but deciding to overlook it, he quickly filled his plate before joining her.
“It looks delicious,” he noted as he sat down.
Mara simply nodded, but for the most part, moved the food around on her plate.
Roarke eyed her curiously for a time, wondering what it was he was missing. “Is it not to your liking?”
“No, everything is fine. It’s all perfectly…” She faltered before glancing up at him. It was then he noticed the sheen of tears in her eyes. “It’s wonderful, Roarke. Truly. I just…I can’t do this.”
She gave a sigh and set down her silverware, obviously preparing to leave, so Roarke quickly went into action. He knelt down before her and took her hands in his. “Mara, what is it? What’s happened?”
“Oh, Roarke…” That was all she got out before she burst into heart-wrenching sobs.
He stared at her in stupefied ignorance before reaching out and pulling her to him. As he rubbed her back and soothed her with soft words, he couldn’t help but wonder what the hell had happened in the span of two hours to cause such an abrupt change in her demeanor. But he vowed that once he found out the individual responsible, he would thrash them to within an inch of their life.
After a time she finally calmed down enough to pull away. Her green eyes were the color of brilliant emeralds and filled with just enough sadness to cut him to the quick.
“Feeling better?” he asked softly.
“Not really,” she answered truthfully. Shaking her head, she said, “I must look a fright.”
“You are stunning,” he countered firmly.
He could tell a laugh unwillingly escaped her.
“Now who’s being the liar?”
With a grin, he decided that he couldn’t wait any longer to confess what was in his heart. “Mara, I invited you here this evening because I wanted you to see that no matter what’s happened in the past, my future is with you. No one has ever compared to what I feel for you and no one ever will. Marry me, Mara, and make sure nothing separates us ever again.”
