“Then I’ll marry you. Assuming you will have me. As for me, I have been ready to marry you since the day you stormed over to my house to complain about the noise. To bloody hell what anyone thinks. I love you and will always protect you.”
She had been hearing love declarations from gentlemen for many years now, but this was the first time the declaration sounded sincere.
Perhaps because it was given under the most unromantic circumstances possible. No moonlit garden. No gentle night breeze. She had just cast up her accounts and was drooling out of the side of her mouth while about to pass out on Gideon’s lap.
He must have been thinking the same, because he gave a soft, laughing groan while carefully easing her back onto the pillows. “Not quite how I expected to declare my love for you.”
“Worst circumstances ever,” she agreed, casting him a wan smile. “Gideon, please tell me this feeling between us is real. Don’t say things you think I want to hear because I am hurt and need to be reassured.”
“It’s real, love. And agonizing. I cannot get you out of my heart. And now to see you wounded like this… I wish I could take all of your pain upon myself.”
“You needn’t turn into a martyr.”
“It is no more than any man would do for the woman he loved.”
She burst into tears.
“Oh, Berry. I’m sorry. What did I say? I only meant to soothe you.”
“You have. I’ve never felt such happiness,” she blubbered. “These are happy tears because you are the best man in the world and you love me.Me?We should not be a fit at all. How can we be so perfect for each other? Yet we are. I love every moment I am with you. My heart is yours forever, Gideon. I want you to know this. Always. To the end of time. And I really think we ought to kiss again. But not until I’ve cleaned up and my breath no longer feels like a dozen dragons turned my mouth into a chamber pot for their use.”
“You’ll have your kiss.” He wiped her mouth with one of the damp cloths, or perhaps he’d taken another clean one to dampen and use on her. She was going to go through his entire inventory at this rate. “You are such a kitten. That’s what you are to me. A sweet, beautiful kitten with big emerald eyes and a tinge of strawberry in your hair. Bonham laughed so hard when I told him. But that’s what you’ve done, curled up in my heart. It is you I want. Only you. I couldn’t care less about your money. Give it all over to the orphanage, if you wish. That ought to keep them going for years, even if no one else ever donates another shilling. I’ll provide for you, and you will never lack for anything.”
She had never heard such ache in anyone’s voice. “Gideon, there is one promise I must have from you.”
“About your trust fund?” he asked. “I meant it when I said I will never touch your money. I’ll put it in writing and have the document witnessed, if that is your concern.”
“Not that. I want your promise that you will kiss me before I die.”
He inhaled sharply. “You are not going to die.”
“I hope that’s true.” But she ached everywhere, especially her head. And now her stomach was churning again.
“I’ve told you I would kiss you.”
“And you had better make it the best kiss ever given in the annals of time,” she said, feeling a more pronounced roil in her unsettled stomach.
“I’ll do my best.” He cast her a gentle smile as he gave her cheek a light caress, unaware she was beginning to feel nauseated again.
How could there be anything left to come out?
She sat up, hoping this would make her feel better. “Because I will never forgive you if I pass away and you don’t kiss me.”
His arms came around her, those strong, solid arms that now held her protectively. “I’ll kiss you, Berry. I give you my oath.”
“And not like that first kiss. I’ll hit you if you pick me up by the armpits.”
His laugh was mingled with a groan. “I’ll wrap you in my arms and hold you tight to my body.”
“You have a nice body.”
“So do you.”
“Yours is spectacular.” She rested her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, for this felt so good.
“So is yours,” he said in an affectionate whisper as she nestled comfortably in his arms.
His body felt warm and masculine. She breathed in his familiar sandalwood scent, and especially appreciated the light citrus overtones that seemed to soothe her stomach as she inhaled it on his skin.
