He made her face him, and a few tears spilled over.
“Lady Alice Malcolm Jeffrey, will you do me the honor of becoming my Lady Diamond? I can keep you in the manner to which you are familiar,” he gestured around them.
Despite crying, his words made her laugh, too. Then she hiccupped, making him smile.
“Adamare,” she whispered.
“Am I?” he asked, running a thumb across her cheek to catch a tear.
“Most definitely that name fits,a passionate lover. I cannot imagine how anyone could be more giving than you.”
“Are you accepting my proposal now that we know one another better?”
Putting her hands upon his cheeks, she drew his head down so she could kiss him. Slowly, she tilted her head as he hadtaught her, fitting her lips against his, breathing him in as she opened her mouth to taste him.
His hands came around her back, dragging her close against him.
Time stood still as they kissed. She needed nothing more than that to be happy.
Finally, Alice pulled away, wishing she could take her heart back from him because it already ached with loss.
“I hope that was a kiss telling me yes,” he said.
His deep blue eyes were joyful, reminding her of a beautiful September sky.
“I am sorry,” she said, slipping from his hold and running into the house.
Luckily, no one was around as she ran up the back stairs and to her room. She half-expected Adam to follow, so she wasn’t surprised when she heard a knock.
“I cannot,” was all she said.
“It’s me, m’lady,” came Mrs. Georgie’s voice.
“I am ... not feeling well at present,” Alice called out softly.
“I know all about that,” the cook said. “May I come in, anyway?”
Mrs. Georgie had never asked to enter her room before. Despite feeling wretched, Alice was curious.
Wiping her face on her sleeves, she opened the door. In an instant, she was enfolded in the cook’s arms.
Unfortunately, that caused her tears to fall faster. But Mrs. Georgie only gave her a minute to wallow in self-pity. And then she set her away.
“Don’t be a ninny,” she told Alice firmly.
“What do you mean?” She sniffed and dug in her pocket for a handkerchief.
“That young man wants to marry you.”
“How did you know?” Alice asked. The servants’ grapevine must work on a steam engine!
Mrs. Georgie shook her head. “It doesn’t matter how I know. Why won’t you accept him? It’s as plain as the nose on your face that you love him.”
Alice touched her nose unthinkingly. “I wish I could, but it’s impossible.”
“And why is that? You’re a widow, but still a young woman. I know you’re not grieving that arse you married.”
“For one thing, Lord Diamond is going to be an earl someday. He needs a fresh, new lady who has never been married.”
