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“I do.” She laughed, a watery joy-filled warble, and swiped away the lone crystalline tear trailing down her cheek. “I tried to convince myself it was annoyance and irritation, but I finally had to admit I loved you.”

Thank God. For a moment there…

Aubriella, who never wept, brushed away another teardrop. “I didn’t dare hope that you felt the same, and it nearly killed me to think you’d fathered Francine’s child.”

“Impossible.” If Aubriella was to be his wife, she should know everything about him. “The truth is, I’ve never been with a woman. My love, I’ve never wanted to be intimate with anyone except for you.”

A tiny gasp escaped her before a radiant smile lit her face.

“Never? But you’re so handsome, and the way women flock to you.” She lifted her shoulder an inch. “I assumed you were a man of the world.”

Jack shook his head.

“It’s not something I speak of, but the woman I intend to marry should know the truth.” Nerves turned his fingers to jelly, and he fumbled in his pocket, finally grasping the burgundy ring box. After extracting the velvety square, he opened the lid and held the twinkling jewel nestled in ivory satin before her.

“Marry me, my darling, Aubrie. You can study the human form as much as you like. I’ll buy you copies of every rendering da Vinci ever drew and as many books on anatomy as your heart can stand.” He waggled his eyebrows and gave her a devilish grin. “Other less respectable books and drawings I know of might interest you too, and I’d be happy to pose for you sans my clothing.”

She released an unfettered giggle, an adorable hint of pink appearing on her cheeks. “My heart doesn’t need those things anymore. It has you to fill it now, though I fully intend to draw you, but not naked. Someone might see the sketches, and your body is for my enjoyment alone.”

“Indeed.” Desire sparked, causing a predictable physical reaction to the unintended erotic images she aroused.

Aubriella lifted the ring from its velvet mooring and slipped it on her finger.

“It’s gorgeous,” she murmured in awe. “Almost exactly like the one I described to Roxina many years ago when we were still in finishing school and visiting Mabel and George for Christmas.”

Jack had been there.

She lifted her misty-eyed gaze to his. “How did you know?”

“I overheard you.” Jack pulled Aubriella onto his lap, and she let out a tiny yelp of surprise before settling into his chest like a contented kitten. “Even all those years ago, my heart knew what my mind did not. You are my soulmate.”

Eyes glistening, she lifted her mouth to his.

“Kiss me, Jack.”

The scintillating sexual current between them, since he’d entered the library, erupted into a full-blown conflagration at her bidding.

Ravenous, he plundered her mouth, stroking her tongue with his even as he caressed her rounded curves. Clutching his shoulders, Aubriella moaned into his mouth. The sound caused a primitive, animalistic growl deep in his throat. Several passionate minutes passed in which he laid her on the floor and covered her body with his, showing her with his mouth how much he loved her.

A sneeze followed by frenetic whispering made him lift his head from nuzzling her delectable bosom.

Quirking an eyebrow, he jerked his chin toward the closed door and whispered, “I think we have eavesdroppers. I might’ve told Styles I intended to propose and asked him to bring us champagne.”

Her eyes flew open and locked with his before veering toward the paneled door. “The servants? Oh, dear.”

She slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.

Of course, she wouldn’t blush from embarrassment.

This was Aubriella, after all.

Jack scooted into a sitting position and then stood. He helped her to her feet, and she tried to tidy her hopelessly mussed hair.

“When you are ready, I’d like to hear about your secret enterprise.” Jack caressed her cheek. “I suspect Roxina and your other friends are also involved.”

“Oh, Jack.” Aubriella bit her lower lip, her indecision and apprehension apparent. “If we are to wed, I cannot keep secrets from you.” Sighing, she shook her head. “Similar to men’s betting books, we hold the bank for bets placed by women. It’s to supplement their income, or in some cases, it is their only financial provision.”

“A betting book?” Jack couldn’t keep the astonishment from his voice. “For women?”

She gave a cautious nod.

“We have strict rules about what wagers we accept, who we accept them from, and how the funds are dispersed.” She laid her palm against his chest. “For some women like Roxina, they have no other source of income, Jack.”

He blew out a breath. Aubriella and her friends ran a gambling ring. “I shan’t forbid you to continue with your venture, but I would like to have a discussion and learn the details.”

“Of course.” Relief washed over her features. “You’d be amazed at our clients and the things I’ve learned.”

“I’m sure I would be.” Not entirely happy with this turn of event, Jack set his concerns aside for now. There’d be plenty of time to examine the situation later. He’d just become affianced, and nothing would ruin this occasion.

“Shall we invite the servants in and share our good news?” He encircled her waist and drew her close, speaking into her hair.

“I suppose we must.” She tilted her head to look up at him. “Then I want to discuss how quickly we can marry. I quite like that kissing business, and I know there’s much more to lovemaking.”

“Is my future wife a wanton?” Jack chuckled as he angled them toward the door. “I certainly hope so.”

“Perhaps.” Aubriella gave him a seductress’s smile. “I cannot wait to find out.”