Her breathing couldn’t keep up with her racing heart anymore, and she felt a little lightheaded. A part of her wanted to throw her arms around his neck, but another told her to run in fear. What if she got her hopes up, but they couldn’t agree on what they could each live with? Or without?
“What are you thinking?” Merry’s words came out too soft, and she had to repeat herself.
“I understand your desire to stay in Huckleberry Falls to be near your mother. I believe you don’t care for the lifestyle of the rich and famous.” One corner of his mouth quirked. “It’s not something I’m particularly fond of myself, so we’re of a mind there.”
“What aboutyourresponsibilities?” she asked, her hands cold now despite the warmth of his.
“I’ve forced the issue of responsibility on both my uncle and my grandfather.”
Merry straightened but didn’t let go of his hand, her tension easing a little.
“What did you do?”
“My uncle is perfectly capable of running his father’s estate but has refused to do it under my grandfather’s oversight.” Carlisle heaved out a breath. “So, I’ve been handling it.”
“I’m guessing your grandfather’s a micromanager.”
“Very much so.”
“Butyouworked well with him?” Merry watched him, pleased again at his patience.
“I wouldn’t put it that way, but it was easier for me because it wasn’t my estate. I was essentially my grandfather’s steward.”
Merry thought for a second before saying anything. She wanted to know, and she ought to be able to talk to him about anything—if there was any hope for a future together.
“What did Cressy think of it?”
“She didn’t like it but set about to charm him.” Carlisle gave a sad smile. “She won his affections but couldn’t sway him from his decision.”
“And now?” Merry asked.
Carlisle shifted and met her gaze. The love in his eyes warmed her and pushed back the fear a little.
* * *
Carlisle triedto put the depth of his love into his expression, to be as open as he possibly could. He then explained what he’d done, first with his uncle and then with his grandfather.
“The old man blustered and raged. I told him the man who’d inherit was the obvious man for the job, that I had my own life to live and intended to do it. When I held firm, he finally agreed.”
Carlisle brought her hand to his lips again. “The challenge comes in where he’ll live. He and my uncle cannotreside in the same house.”
“Does the estate have a Dowager House?” she asked.
“I like your thinking, but no. I believe I mentioned before that my grandfather owns a home in London. He’s agreed to take up residence there.”
“London.” Her voice had turned subdued. “Is that the compromise you mentioned? You’ll live in London?”
“No. Not live, but visit periodically. I think he’d enjoy it here. I couldn’t ask my grandfather to leave England for long periods of time, any more than you could ask your mother to uproot her business and move with us to London.” Carlisle cupped her cheek.
“Us?” The word came out a whisper
“I love you. I want to marry you.” Carlisle wanted to pull her to him, to do what that woman Trish suggested, to kiss Merry senseless. Or at least to calm her fears. However, she must make up her own mind.
“You’ve been married before,” she said, seeming to choose her words carefully, “so you know how hard it can be even when two people share a lot of common interests.”
“Yes, that’s true. But I’m not afraid of working hard, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It’s your lifestyle that scares me.” Her words came out in a rush, but she didn’t pull away from him.
