Page 40 of Married to the Rake

She tilted her head back and peered at him. “You speak of the idea so matter-of-factly.”

“If we marry, our parents will have no choice but to reconcile. Then, when I inherit my father’s estate, we can solve the boundary issue with your brother.”

“I–I know you are keen to fix this problem, Brook, but marriage seems a little extreme. I am certain there are other ways.”

He frowned. “You have no desire to marry me?”

She hesitated, just long enough for him to see something in her expression that gave him hope. He wasn’t certain what he had expected or that he had rather expected she would be keen on the idea.

“I had never really considered marrying but I certainly never considered partaking in one as an act of duty.”

“But, Chloe, why should we not marry? You have no other plans to marry, do you?”

Chloe tugged her hand away from his, her gaze narrowing. “If you are asking as to whether I have other offers, no I do not, as you are fully aware. That does not mean I’m going to leap at the first offer that comes my way. If I were ever to marry, I had rather hoped it might be for love, and not duty.”

Brook cursed under his breath. What a royal mess he had made of this. Somehow he had thought appealing to Chloe’s practical sense of nature might be more useful than appealing to her emotions.

“I did not picture marrying anytime soon either. But that was before I met you, Chlo.”

“What do you mean?”

“If we were to marry, I’m certain it would fix the problems between our families. However, I should also like to marry you out of love.”

There, he had said it. The words are out there, as they probably should have been in the first place. It was the one and only time he had ever asked a woman to marry him and, he had to admit, he should have planned it better.

“Love?” she repeated.

He gave a tilted grin. “Indeed.”

“You love me?”

He nodded.

“But that’s impossible,” she spluttered.

“No, it is entirely possible.”

She shook her head vigorously. “You are Mr. Brook Waverley, the infamous rake. You could have any woman you wanted.”

“The woman I want is standing right in front of me. Is it so hard to believe that I might be telling the truth?”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Well…yes it is. I have known for a very long time I am not the sort of woman who captures a man’s attention and I made my peace with it. I would certainly never have expected an offer from a man like you.” She sighed. “I know how keen you are to settle this matter, and how worried you are for your father. I do not believe you make such an offer with any malice, but I do believe you are not thinking straight.”

Brook took her hand again. “Believe me, Chloe, I have never been so straight thinking in my life.”

“I cannot marry you, Brook. How can I? My father would never forgive me and it would not be long before you would resent giving up your lifestyle.” Her mouth opened a little. “Unless, of course, you plan to be one of these men who leave their wife at home while they go out and indulge whatever needs they have.” She gave a little shudder. “I would rather remain a spinster than have one of those marriages.”

“I had hoped you might know me better than that.”

Her gaze searched his and she blew out a breath. “I cannot marry you.”

“Just think on the matter. I think, given time, you will realize that you can trust me. You might also realize that you love me too.” He grinned at her shocked face. “You do not have to give me an answer now,” he added before giving her a swift kiss on the lips.

“But I have given you my answer.”

“Take your time.” He gave her another kiss. “I am more than willing to wait.”

Her exasperated expression amused him and he could not bring himself to feel downhearted about the matter. She just needed a little persuading. They were a good match, and she would realize that soon enough. Nor did he blame her for being cautious—after all he was no saint. The more time they spent together, however, the more she would realize that he was sincere about this. If he had to wait an eternity for Chloe, he would.

He loved Chloe Larkin, he knew that with every fiber of his being.

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