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“The only thing I need to know is if you’re planning on proposing to her. Because if not. You are going to cease it. Now.”

Adam looked down, the fight leaving his body on an exhale. “I am,” he said finally. “I am going to marry her.”

Gage didn’t look surprised, only mildly taken aback, perhaps. “Good. Then you can continue your inappropriate behavior after that happens. As for now… Take. Her. Home.”

* * *

Beatrice wished she hadn’t heard the exchange happening just outside the door of the room she occupied. When Adam left her alone, she immediately started dressing, afraid the viscount would fight his way in. But Adam held his word. Nobody entered the room.

However, just outside, he had the most gut-wrenching conversation Beatrice had ever overheard.

Her heart raced with every revelation.

The viscount had noticed Adam’s glances toward her; he had noticed his regard for her! But Adam’s feelings toward her weren’t news, were they?

She knew he wanted her. He’d admitted as much just a few minutes prior.

But the bigger revelation, the more unpleasant one was the fact that Adam had just agreed to propose to her.

Not because he loved her. Not even because he was attracted to her, aroused by her. No. He agreed to propose to her because he was caught with her. Because his brother demanded him to.

And the sad part? If he walked in here right now and offered his hand in marriage as penance for his sins, Beatrice wasn’t certain she’d be able to decline.

And should it matter? Beatrice would get what she’d wanted all along.

Adam wanted her.

For now.

But not forever.

God! She had plotted to trick him into this proposal and now she was suddenly having qualms about it?

Yes. Yes, she was. Because unlike him, she had fallen in love.

Oh, God, I am in love with him!

Of course, she was in love with him! He was kind, clever, and charming. She loved their banter. She loved the way he made her laugh. When he spoke, she hung upon his every word. When he stood next to her, all she wanted was to burrow into his heat. When they danced, everyone around them disappeared. And when he kissed her… Oh, when he kissed her, she wanted to cry from bliss.

She loved him.

She loved the way he smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. She loved the bored expression on his face when he found her annoying. She loved his teasing and the words of affirmation, of passion. She loved his stupid dreams that were bound to drive them apart.

She loved him.

And the idea of him marrying her out of honor, while she loved him with all her heart was something she wasn’t certain she would be able to live with.

However, she wasn’t strong enough to refuse him either.

He would eventually fall for her, wouldn’t he?

Unless, of course, he’d lose all interest and move on to other conquests.

Does it matter? Better Adam than Lansdowne.

“Ugh!” Beatrice wanted to throw something against the wall.

She stomped her foot instead.