Page 126 of Courting the Country Miss

She grinned. “I am. But don’t you see? You are that man.”

He paused, working backward through her list. “Well, I do have ten thousand a year so unless you want to buy a castle, that would be adequate. We laugh a lot together. I hope I am kind more often than not.” He stumbled over the remaining two qualities.

She finished. “You are a man of integrity. You always keep your promises and you act within your principles.”

He swallowed, waiting for the final stumbling block, given his history.

“As far as monogamy, I have every faith in you. In your heart, you are a new man—a better man. You haven’t changed much; you’ve always lived by your own code of honor. Recently, you’ve elevated that code. I know you would never betray me.”

The trust and love in her eyes gave him courage. “I vow it. I vow I will always be faithful to you. Only you.” He leaned in and kissed her, full of promise and love.

She molded herself against him and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him with such pure love and passion that it healed him. Its strength and beauty reached through years of pain and isolation to that small boy who thought he’d disappointed his mother and driven her away. If a woman as remarkable as Leticia loved him, he was a worthwhile person—strong and noble and brave—and so very much in love that his heart expanded. The sensation washed over him, bathing him in light and joy.

In his heart, he sailed across an ocean to an island big enough for the two happiest people on earth.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Leticia found her sister in the library working on a watercolor, humming a melancholy tune in a minor key. With the library windows framing her, and the pale gray, silver, and charcoal clouds behind her, she looked like a portrait painted with masterful strokes.

“Bella,” Leticia murmured.

Isabella’s gaze flitted to her but focused on her watercolor. After a moment, she tossed her brush into a tin cup, leaned back, and eyed Leticia with a weariness of an older woman.

“You look happy,” Isabella said. “Am I to understand that you and Tristan have come to an understanding?”

“We have. He forgave me.” Leticia let out a breath. “I only hope you will, some day. I am so sorry, Bella. I was too self-absorbed to realize you had formed an attachment to Lord Bradbury.”

Isabella wiped her hands with a cloth. “Many gentlemen are courting me. Perhaps my feelings for one of them will change. Aunt assures me that if I do not find my heart’s desire this year, she’ll bring me back every Season until I do. I’m only sixteen—I’m not exactly on the shelf.”

“It’s true that you have plenty of time, but the fact is, I encouraged someone whom you preferred. That must cut you deeply.”

Isabella poured mineral water onto the cloth, its pungent scent filling the room, and continued wiping her hands. “It matters not. He chose you.”

Leticia let out a sigh. “I hope you will forgive me.” She arose.

“Leticia.” Her sister’s voice halted her movement. “I am glad you and Tristan finally realized you were meant to be together. I know you will make each other happy.” She offered a faint smile.

“I know it, too.”

Isabella lifted a chin. “I don’t believe I am in love with Lord Bradbury. I held him in high regard but I hardly conversed with him enough to form a true tendré for him. So really, it’s not as if you wounded me so greatly.”

“I’m sorry to have lost your good opinion.”

Isabella’s expression lightened. “You’re my sister; I will always love you.”

Leticia knelt at her side, and threw her arms around her. “I love you, too, Bella.”

A servant arrived. “Mr. Barrett to see you, Miss Wentworth.

Tristan!

Leticia practically skipped to the front parlor where he stood grinning. Her knees went weak at the sight. He drew her into his arms and kissed her soundly. Her entire body turned to the consistency of lemon curd. When he lifted his head, Leticia hung on to his arms to keep upright.

Chuckling, he led her to a nearby Ottomane couch and they sank into its soft cushions together. “I love how flushed you get when I kiss you.” He tapped her nose and wrapped his hands around hers. “I have two purposes for my visit today.”

“Is one to kiss me?”

He grinned. “Very well, I admit it; I have three purposes.”