“That was the past, Deborah, and I have many regrets with how I responded to the situation, and I do apologize.” He blew out a breath, thankful that he had not been rejected outright. “But what of now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is it too late?”
“To court me?”
“Yes, though as I have thought of little else other than winning your heart, I would be content to skip courtship and move on to betrothal.” He lifted his hand to cradle her petal soft cheek. “If you will have me.”
Except, Deborah had not yet said she loved him. What if she didn’t?
“Or am I alone in my love?”
He barely breathed as she looked deep into his eyes. “You are not alone, Percy, for I have loved you longer than you will ever know.”
Relief swept through him and his knees nearly buckled.
“However, we will say nothing to your brother. I do not want to be stopped again. Instead, as soon as the holiday is over...no…I will leave today and go directly to your home and ask Kenley’s permission.”
“It is Christmas Day,” she reminded him with a chuckle.
“I do not care. I have waited long enough.”
“And you can wait until after Twelfth Night,” she insisted. “It does not matter if Peter has objections or not because my decision is made for myself and I will inform my eldest brother in case he has any objections.”
This may be the best Christmas he had ever celebrated. “I will make up for the wrongs of the past,” he insisted as he leaned close with every intention of kissing Deborah.
Fifteen
Deborah could not be happier, though she was a bit irritated that he had not attempted to explain to her sooner. Then again, her mother was a formidable woman and Danby could be downright frightening. If she had been warned away by him, and not knowing Danby as she did, she would have obeyed as well.
It was no wonder Percy did not go against their wishes. Danby could see him ruined, but she did not care and once they were wed, Danby would simply have to accept that fact that she could find her own groom and that she was happy.
As Percy leaned closer, Deborah anticipated his kiss and closed her eyes just as his lips touched hers.
Her heart soared as happiness filled her soul, then she pulled back.
“You are not going to disappear again, are you?”
He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close while his other held on to the cane. It would not do if the two of them toppled to the floor because his knee gave out.
“No, I am never leaving you,” he promised. “I will stay where you are until the vows have been spoken and I have made you my wife in truth.” His sapphire eyes darkened with his statement and a thrill rushed through her body. She recalled being on his lap and how he had touched her and had read what occurred between a husband and a wife, and could not wait to discover the promised pleasure with Percy.
She was also afraid to trust and feared that in a blink, he would be gone again.
He smoothed a thumb over her bottom lip. “What is wrong, Deborah? Doubt and fear just clouded your eyes.”
“I anticipated a future with you before, when I was on your lap and you were kissing me. I am afraid…”
“Shh.” He kissed her again. “I am not leaving you. On that you have my word. You are my heart and have been. I just wish…”
“Wish what?”
“That I had not allowed your mother or the Duke of Danby to intimidate me.”
“Yes, well, as much as I would like to agree, I cannot fault you for that. Danby has ruined people before.”
“I should have stood up to him.”
