Rather than answer, he posed a question of his own. “Where is this coming from?”
“I only want to be sure you’ve considered the implications.”
“You mean how your father turning into a drunk and leaving you and your sisters impoverished will affect my reputation by association?”
As direct as the words were, she knew they were not unkindly meant. “People talk.”
“They always do.”
“But—”
“I have no second thoughts or regrets, Josephine.” He turned her about, his hand cupping her elbow to send a spark of heat shooting straight up her arm. Leaning in, he added, “But perhaps you do?”
Her head swung sideways, forcing her gaze to collide with his. “No. I simply want to ensure your happiness.”
“And so you shall, as long as you don’t break off our engagement with some foolhardy attempt at saving me from critical gossip and social shunning.” They moved between two other couples, stepping apart before coming together once more. “My title will always make me a subject of conversation, regardless of whom I marry. There will invariably be those who wish to discuss the minutest details of my life, right down to what I was seen eating at a particular luncheon or how I chose to order a jacket from a different tailor than usual.”
“Surely you exaggerate.”
“I wish I did, but last season, for instance, a piece was published regarding my preference for Chaucer rather than Shakespeare. Truth is, I don’t care for either, but someone must have seen me purchase a copy ofThe Canterbury Taleswithout stopping to wonder if it was for me or for someone else.” He shook his head, his expression portraying severe aggravation. “The book was a gift for my mother.”
“Oh, dear.”
“As for my reputation, you underestimate the power I wield if you think it is going to suffer. And even if it were likely to do so, I would gladly accept such an outcome in exchange for a life spent with you.”
His words went straight to her heart. And yet… “But what of your sister? Will our match not affect her chance of marrying well?”
“I doubt it. Priorsbridge has had his eye on her for years, and he is not the sort of man to change his mind based on whomIchoose to marry.” The dance drew to an end, so he bowed while she curtseyed before leaving the dance floor together. Once they’d gone a few paces, he tugged on her arm and drew her into a private alcove. “Your experience has made you cynical. That much is clear. What I ask, however, above all else, is for you to give us the credit we both deserve. Because if you love me as much as I love you, we’ll brave whatever obstacles come our way.”
“Of course I love you, Devon. I love you so much it hurts.”
His hand rose to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “Then you should also know how unacceptable it would be for us to live our lives apart.”
He was right. To do so would destroy her. “I only want to ensure you’re making the best decision for yourself and your family.”
“I am making the best decision forus, Josephine, and from this day forward, I will continue to do so, which is why we ought to discuss our wedding. It is important your sisters attend, so we will have to put off the service until they are both able to do so.”
“Are you sure? It might take more than a month for Louise to get away from Whitehaven.”
He looked her squarely in the eye with such serious resolve, she could feel her heart quicken with nervous anticipation. “These past few years you have nursed your mother in sickness, cared for your ailing father, struggled to hold on to your home while setting aside what little you could for Eve’s future. Family matters to you. You’ve proven this with every sacrifice you’ve made.”
“I only did what was necessary.”
“The point being, your sisters matter to you more than anyone else in the world, more than me even, I suspect.”
“Devon—”
“It would be odd if they didn’t, considering you’ve been together with them your entire life while you’ve only known me a week. I might be the man you want to marry—the man fortunate enough to have won your heart—but the connection you share with your sisters is profound, built on years of shared experiences. So while I do hope to be of greater importance to you one day, I would be a fool not to recognize how much their presence at our wedding would mean to you.”
“Oh, Devon.” She could feel moisture forming at the corners of her eyes, pooling against her lashes in response to his insightful kindness. “Marrying you will be the greatest honor.”
“Then your concerns are dispelled, and we are once again in agreement?”
Nodding, she said the only thing she could say, one word spoken with deep conviction. “Yes.”
His expression eased, banishing all severity on a long exhalation of breath. “You cannot imagine how relieved I am to hear it.” And with that, he caught her hand in his and raised it to his lips, kissing her knuckles in a gesture of intimate affection. It weakened her knees and quickened her pulse while making her think of only one thing. “You must write Lady Channing tomorrow. The sooner Louise arrives, the better.”
He answered her with gleaming eyes and a wide grin. “My dear, I could not agree with you more.”
