“That is not what I was going to ask,” she said with a laugh, swiping the tears from her cheeks with the back of one gloved hand. “But I must admit I’m glad to hear that.”
He searched her face. “What were you going to ask?”
“Do you love me?” She looked into his eyes, knowing the answer would determine their future forever. Even as her heart recognized the instant softening of his features, the answering smile creeping over his lips, she had to hear the words. “Do you, Mark?”
He cupped her cheek in his large, warm hand, his gaze more tender than she’d ever seen. “Nicole. My Nicole. I love you more than anything else in this world.”
“Even your work?” she countered, past the lump lodged in her throat.
He pulled her against his hard frame and hugged her fiercely. “Even my work, my darling, especially my work.”
***
An hour later, they’d secured the trunks and Nicole and Mark had settled into the duke’s coach as it rode awayfrom the docks. Susanna had agreed to ride back alone in Mark’s coach. They promised her another trip to France soon.
“Before we go any farther,” Nicole said, clutching Mark’s hands and facing him. “I have to tell you something. Something important.”
“What is it?” Mark watched her carefully.
“It’s something that may greatly influence your feelings for me.”
Alarm bells sounded in his head. “What?”
“I lied to you,” she said in a rush, her face flushed.
He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. “About what?”
Her gloveless hands were squeezed together in her lap so tightly they were colorless. “I’m not actually with child. At least, I don’t think I am.”
Relief filled his brain. He heaved a sigh and slumped against the coach seat. “I thought you were going to say you lied about loving me.”
The hint of a smile touched her lips. “Never. I love you. I just had to get away from you to protect myself… because I didn’t think you loved me back.”
He tilted his head to consider her. “What were you planning to tell me when no baby arrived?”
She cringed and bit her lip. “I’m ashamed to admit it, but I intended to write and tell you I’d been mistaken, or that I lost the baby.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I want you to stay, Nicole. I want you to stay because I love you. I want you to stay because you’re my wife. I want you to stay so we can create a family together. But no more lies. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” she said, her cheeks still flushed. “And you’re not angry… about this one?”
“I’m disappointed, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I guessed you may not have been telling the truth. We’d only been together a few days. I didn’t see how you’d know in such a short time.” He allowed a slow smile to curve his lips. “Besides, the way I see it, this means that we must try again.”
She returned his smile. “Yes, we should try and try.”
“Oh, what I must do for the sake of my demanding wife.” He muttered into the curve of her neck, breathing in her lavender perfume. “Sucha chore.”
She slapped at him playfully.
“Can I ask you another question?” Nicole asked minutes later after she’d been thoroughly kissed.
“If I can ask you one in return,” he replied, grinning.
That made her hesitate, but she soldiered on. “Very well, I’ll go first. Did you have my bedchamber in London decorated specifically for me? Did you know I’d be back one day even before all of this began?”
His breath caught in his throat and he held it for a few moments. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I dared to hope.”
She sighed and pressed her mouth to his. “I feel as if I’ll never get enough of the taste of you, the feel of you, the beating of your heart.” She kissed him again and when at last she drew back, she asked, “What’s your question for me?”
