In that moment, he knew, with every part of his soul, that he could not lose her — not to death. Not to scandal. Not even to distance.
He had meant what he said. To lose her in any way would be the worst possible outcome.
“Evelyn,” he said, leaning back and looking her in the eyes. “You cannot leave me.”
“I never meant to,” she said in a wobbly voice.
“Not like this or in any way,” he said. “Say you’ll stay with me? Forever? By my side, not in the country, not in another household, but with me?”
When she froze, every hope came tumbling down.
But still — it was worth it.
And the fact that he could admit it told him how much he loved her.
Now, he just needed her to put into words what she was trying to tell him, and he would take it.
No matter how much it hurt.
29
Evelyn couldn’t breathe.
Was he saying what she thought he was saying? It was there in his eyes, in the way he was looking at her, but still, she needed to hear him say it.
“But… why? What’s changed?” she asked, staring up at him, her voice just above a breath.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked, his eyes dancing between hers. “I love you, Evelyn. With everything I am. It just took me longer than it should have to realize it.”
Evelyn stared up at Asher.
Her husband.
The man who had told her that their marriage could only ever be one of a partnership to save one another’s reputation, that nothing more could ever come of it.
Who was now professing his love to her.
His love.
To her.
She blinked up at him, saw his face drop, knew what he was thinking, but it was taking her a moment for evenhermind toprocess all of this — the kidnapping, the rescue, and now Asher’s declaration.
“Asher, are you— are you sure that you are not just reacting to the danger, and that you actually feel this way?”
He took her hands in his, looking around them, especially at Norwood on the floor, glaring daggers up at them. She followed his gaze, grimacing at the man.
“Why don’t we go outside?” Asher suggested, taking her hand and leading her out the back door, as gently as possible. “Are you sure you are fine?”
“Positive.”
He nodded, though his jaw was still set tight.
“I won’t lie to you. The danger you were in forced me to confront my feelings. But none are fabricated. For a few minutes, I thought you might have left me of your own choice, and I felt the same then as I did once I knew Norwood took you. The same desperation. The same need for you to be returned to me. I know now that I have loved you for some time. It has just taken me longer than it should have to realize the depth of my feelings toward you.”
Evelyn’s heart bloomed with every word he spoke.
“Oh, Asher,” she said with a sigh, gazing up at him. “I love you too. I have for days. Possibly weeks. I was frightened to give you my heart, knowing you didn’t want it, but… it found you anyway.”
