She hesitated.“This is a particularly delicate question to ask you, Lord Dalton, and I hope you won’t take offense...”Her gaze left his as her words petered out.
“Go on, Jane, you can ask me anything,” he prompted her gently.
She looked at her hands, knotted in her lap.“I would like to know, before we make any final decisions, whether you have a mistress or children from previous liaisons.”
Of course Jane Brody would ask such a question.As a female emancipist, she expected to be treated as an equal.He would try to treat her as she wished.“These aren’t the usual questions that a lady asks her suitor, but I will answer them.The first question is easy.No, I have no mistress and have not had one for some time.With regard to your second question, although I have not been an angel, I am sure there are no consequences from my actions.There are no by-blows.I hope that is a sufficient answer.”
Jane looked relieved.“Yes, thank you, it is.”
“Now, tell me, have I answered all your questions to your satisfaction?”
She looked down at her hands.“Yes, you have.”
A sigh of relief escaped him.“Well, it is my turn to ask some questions, if I may?”
“Of course,” Jane answered.
“Is there any reason that you cannot marry me?Do you love someone else?Someone who has let you down, perhaps?”
Her eyes flew to his.“No!Not at all.There is no one either in the past or present who has any hold on my affections.”
Relieved, he drew a breath.“I am pleased to hear it, Jane.Do you think we can deal well together?I know there is no one else I would rather have as my wife.Will you have me, Jane?”
She met his eyes with her clear blue gaze.“Yes, I will marry you, Lord Dalton.”
He hadn’t realized that he had been holding his breath waiting for her answer.His heart gave a thump in his chest.He took her hands in his.“You make me very happy, Jane.I hope I will do the same for you.”
He drew her toward him and into his arms.He kissed her, tentatively and searching for a response.There was the same explosion through his body as last time.
She was kissing him just as she had done before.It was a start.A good start.He hoped he could build on it.She must feel something for him, if only lust.
It’s going to be all right, isn’t it?
Chapter Eleven
ASHARP BREATH ESCAPEDJane.She stared atThe Gazettewhere it lay open among the breakfast plates.Her engagement announcement, printed in cold, black ink, stared back.
