She shook her head to dispel the bad memories and to keep him from interrupting. “I’m not telling you this to gain your sympathy, but rather to explain. Those experiences left me feeling unworthy of earning anyone’s affections. Therefore, I didn’t think I had a chance that you’d like me for who I am.”
“Eliza.” The dismay in his expression as he tightened his hold on her gave her the strength to continue.
I’m sorry I tricked you,” she said. “That was never my purpose. I only wanted you to look at me as someone other than your best friend’s little sister. As someone worthy of your attention.”
“You did that and more.” He reached for her gloved hand and brought it to his lips, and her breath caught in her chest. “I don’t know whether I would’ve seen you as the beautiful woman you are if not for your request. I applaud you for reaching for what you want. That only makes my admiration for you grow.”
Eliza swallowed against the lump in her throat, hardly able to bear him saying everything she wanted to hear when a future together wasn’t possible. It was too much.
“Delbert told me everything,” she managed.
“Everything?”
“About the...card game. About your father and Lord Oxley.” She couldn’t bring herself to say the rest of it, especially about him marrying one of the Graham sisters.
He glanced away, the pain that tightened his face causing her heart to twist.
“Please don’t worry,” she whispered. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“That’s not it. I know I can trust you.” He gestured at the room as if to refer to what had happened. “That was clear before your actions this evening. Putting yourself in danger to try to protect me.”
“You would’ve done the same for me.” That much she knew.
“Yes, I would’ve.” He stared into her eyes, making the lump in her throat worse. “Because I love you.”
“Philip.” She closed her eyes, not wanting to hear that when they couldn’t be together.
“And I hope you might feel the same about me.” She opened her eyes when she felt his hand along her cheek. “I have come to realize that honoring my father and brother’s memories doesn’t mean I have to follow the same path they did. They weren’t perfect. No one is, including me. I intend to find my own way and live a life of honor on my terms.”
“Yes.” She cradled his hand, pressing it against her cheek, so proud of him. “That’s exactly what you should do. You are an amazing man, Philip. Kind, honorable, and worthy of your title. Never doubt it.”
“I want to be the man you believe me to be. But there is one problem.” He pulled his hand away, causing her heart to stumble.
“What might that be?”
“I cannot be that person without you by my side.”
She frowned uncertain what he meant. “But Lord Oxley and his daughters—”
“I’ll find a way to aid him as best I can. But I cannot marry anyone but you. There is no better way to honor my family than to live a happy and fulfilled life. Only you can help me do that.”
Eliza gasped, hardly able to believe what she’d heard.
“Please, Eliza.” He dropped to one knee. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? To love and to cherish forever and always?”
“Oh, Philip.” She blinked back tears. “Are you certain?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I love you, Eliza, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much. Please say yes.”
“Yes! Yes, yes. I love you as well. More than I can possibly say.”
He stood and held her close. So close that she could feel his heart pounding at the same rapid pace as hers.
He kissed her gently yet with passion, sealing the moment for them both.
Still in disbelief that her dream was coming true, she wrapped her arms around him only to wince as her side protested the movement.
“We need to get the doctor now,” he said as he eased back to look into her face. “That injury might be worse than you think.”
