Page 69 of A Wallflower to Win the Viscount

Primrose really did have to fight to suppress her own laugh and resist the temptation to declare that she too had been jealous of her cat because she got to snuggle into his shirts. She would save that revelation for a later date.

‘I was even slightly annoyed that you managed to send your cousin Jasper off. Deep down I was hoping to get the chance to really be your knight in shining armour.’

He sighed deeply, then smiled. ‘But you managed to save yourself in a most commendable manner.’

She could point out that he had been her knight in shining armour, not just because he had taken her to his solicitor and saved her house but because it was due to him that she’d gained the confidence to stand up to her bully of a cousin. It had been a wonderful victory for her, one that had undone years of torment from Jasper. But that too would be saved for another day, as she still wanted more of this wonderful, glorious declaration.

‘It wasn’t until Beatrice spelt it all out for me that it became clear what I was fighting against. It wasn’t so much my guilt, nor was it my shame, nor any fears that I had become like my father. It was a refusal to see what was so obvious I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it for myself. As I said, I had fallen hopelessly, completely and entirely unexpectedly in love with you, but I was just too stupid to realise it.’

He sighed again, as if still feeling he was doing this all wrong, when he was doing everything entirely right, and looked towards the book once more.

‘The author pointed out all the things that I had done wrong, and I’m now aware of other things I’ve done wrong, ones he didn’t mention. But he was also wrong about so many things. Primrose, I love you because of who you are, and there is nothing about you I would ever want to change in even the slightest way.’

He turned back to face her, his expression so soft and full of love her insides seemed to melt. ‘Primrose, despite everything I’ve done wrong, despite being a misguided and at times a selfish man, it would do me the greatest honour if you did allow me to court you. Then I could try, in my own clumsy manner, to make amends for all my past behaviour. I could try to show you that I am a man worthy of your love and worthy of becoming your husband.’

Fighting with all her might not to throw herself into his arms, Primrose angled her head, as if giving his proposal due consideration.

‘And if you did agree to allow me to court you, if you did eventually accept my proposal of marriage, I promise we would make a life together that is right for both of us, not one where you have to fit in with me, like that deluded writer suggests.’

He smiled as if the possibility amused him. ‘Not that I’d ever have a hope of doing that, thank goodness. If the author ever met you, I’m certain he would delete any advice regarding discouraging the young lady’s independent thought and his command to correct any impropriety. Why on earth would I want to change two of the things I most love about you?’

His face became more serious. ‘But I do want us to make a life together.’ He looked down at Clawdia. ‘All of us, including your animal family, which strangely is starting to feel like my family too.’

‘Well, Clawdia would agree that you are part of her family,’ she said, also looking down at the contented cat. ‘So how do you envisage our life together?’ she added, as if she was a patriarch weighing up a prospect for his daughter’s hand, and not a woman trying hard to rein in her boundless joy and fighting the desire to shout out Yes, yes, of course I’ll marry you.

She waited for his reply, tingling with anticipation, as a vision of their future appeared before her. One that involved long, luxurious days and nights in Lucian’s arms and in his bed. One that included lots of kissing, caressing and glorious lovemaking, along with more of these heartfelt admissions of love.

‘I don’t suppose you want me to do what the reverend suggested, and list all my properties, investments and lands so you know I can provide for you and am a worthwhile marriage prospect?’

I already know you are worthwhile Primrose could have said. Instead, she feigned boredom and lightly tapped her open mouth to cover a fake yawn, causing Lucian to smile.

‘But I do have a large estate in Cheshire. I know you hate the countryside because of all the cruelty to animals that occurs, but our estate could be different. It could be a sanctuary for rescued animals. There’s enough space for horses to run free and for donkeys to do whatever donkeys like to do. We could even rescue as many goats as possible so Marigold could find her perfect mate.’

‘Oh, yes! Marigold would like that.’ And so would Primrose. It would be a dream come true. There were so many large animals that needed rescuing, but she had always known it would be cruel to keep them in her small garden. But with an animal sanctuary in the countryside, the possibilities were almost endless.

He raised his eyebrows and smiled, and she realised her mask of nonchalance was slipping. ‘So how else do you see our life together if I consented to this marriage?’ she said, keeping her expression as thoughtful as she could.

He didn’t stop smiling, having finally seen through her own ruse. ‘I imagine us having a home in London, one provided by my wife, who is a woman of independent means.’

He paused, and she smiled at him as she was sure he knew she would.

‘And we would live next door to a house that provides a sanctuary to women and children, many of whom I’m sure will enjoy helping to take care of our growing family.’

‘Family?’ she gasped out.

‘Our animals.’

‘Oh, yes, of course.’

‘We’ll need their help because we will also be busy looking after our adorable children.’

‘Oh, well, I’m afraid, I’m, er, I’m not with child,’ she said, a twinge of disappointment nipping at her happiness.

His face reflected her own feelings, before it was replaced with a wicked twinkle. ‘I can think of a rather enjoyable way of rectifying that situation.’

Primrose could not stop herself from beaming as any attempt at pretence slipped completely away. ‘How many children are we planning to have?’

‘As many as my beautiful wife desires.’ He looked at her with such gentleness her heart swelled and joyful warmth flooded through her. ‘I know you will be a wonderful mother, and with your guidance I hope I will be a good father, one who helps you raise children who are just as good, kind and capable of independent thought and acts of impropriety as their mother.’