“Of course, but what about something that’s purely for you?” Her pulse leapt slightly in response to her own forwardness. “What would you like for yourself if you could have anything in the world?”
A flicker of light caught his eyes, dancing there for the briefest second before he turned his head and it vanished. He dipped his chin and met her gaze, allowed his hand to discreetly catch hers while shielding the gesture with their bodies. His thumb stroked hers and it was as though he ignited her skin with that touch. She expelled a slow breath, unsure of what was happening right now but conscious that something was changing between them.
Time slowed. The laughter and chatter from the nearby revelers fell away until all Ada could hear was the steady beat of her heart. It was just the two of them now – a couple of friends and yet inexplicably so much more.
“You,” he murmured.
12
Anthony worried he might have confessed too much. Judging from Ada’s stricken expression, this was the last thing she thought he would say. But the magical effect of the setting, enhanced by the balmy evening air and subdued lighting, had prompted him to be honest.
It had been an impromptu confession and yet it felt utterly right. If he could have anything in the world, it truly would be her. And yet he was starting to worry she might not feel the same way. Her wide-eyed expression certainly made him doubt it. His heart gave a nervous jolt, and he realized to his dismay that his fingers were trembling.
Please say something, Ada.
“I can’t imagine why,” she told him, her gaze searching his as though she half expected him to retract his statement at any moment. “And no, I am not fishing for compliments, but I’m sure there must be something else you would rather choose. If you recall, it’s a hypothetical question so you can pick anything you like.”
“And what I would like is you,” he told her, weaving their fingers together and doing his best to keep his rising panic at bay. Was there a chance he’d misjudged her? Could it be that she did not feel the same way? Had his growing attraction toward her been wholly one sided? He winced in the face of such possibility and stiffened his shoulders. “You’re wonderful, Ada, in every conceivable way. The dedication and loyalty you show your uncle is admirable, your patience and kindness with me remarkable, the help you’ve offered me and my friends entirely selfless, and the company you’ve given me these past weeks has only increased my thirst for more. You are exceptional, Ada, no doubt about it. So yes, if I could have anything in the world, it would without doubt be you.”
She was gawking at him as though he’d sprouted horns, which made him self-conscious in a way he’d not been since he was a boy. It was deuced uncomfortable to say the least.
And then she shook her head causing his heart to tumble, for he was now sure she would let him know that these feelings of his were misplaced.
Instead, she sniffed and gave her eyes a hasty swipe before saying, “I would wish for the same. For you, that is. My heart is yours. It always will be.”
He could scarcely believe it. The happiness flooding his veins could not be measured. It was an overwhelming maelstrom of emotion that threatened to slay him completely.
And then it hit him, with as much force as the book had hit her the day they’d first met.
He loved her. How could he not when she was the kindest, loveliest, most wonderful person he’d ever encountered?
He wanted to grab her, spin her around in his arms, and hoot with joy.
But such things weren’t done. At least not without repercussion. He’d have to propose on the spot, robbing her of a say in the matter. Not an option. He had to maintain control, lest he ruin the moment by forcing her into a marriage she might not want.
He’d have to determine the right course of action. While courting her.
Yes, there was the right path for him to follow – a proper courtship culminating with an offer of marriage. Which would give him time to figure out how exactly to make this work.
With his recent success at acquiring funds, he was confident he’d find a way to finance his sisters’ debuts and support a wife, provided everyone behaved economically.
There were other concerns to consider, however.
Gossip would be rife the moment Society learned that a duke meant to marry a shopkeeper’s niece. Time would likely be required for Ada and her uncle to adjust. And planning would go a long way as well in preventing a scandal.
It was vital he take care – that he not rush into this like the blundering youth he’d once been. So he took a deep breath, set her hand upon his arm, and led her down toward the garden. Surely there, he’d find the sort of spot he required, a place for him to express himself without having watchful gazes assessing his every move.
“Where are we going?” she whispered when they reached a flagstone path.
“Not sure yet,” he muttered. He glanced around and made a quick note of where other guests were located. Curse Axelby for planning an open garden without the proper seclusion one might find from trees and bushes.
A door beneath the terrace, all the way to the far right, caught his gaze so he headed toward it with Ada in tow. He sent a swift glance over his shoulder, then tried the handle. It was locked. Damn it.
Expelling a breath, he turned to Ada. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be alone with you for a moment without any risk of being seen, but it seems impossible.”
She bit her lip and continued past the door, taking him with her until they’d turned the corner. A narrow space here offered a six-foot partition between the house and the property line and it was completely empty.
Anthony grabbed Ada’s hand, moving her farther along until they blended in with the darkness. Eager to hold her, he pulled her into his arms a little more roughly than he’d intended. Her chin bumped his chest, and she gave a squeak.
