Page 42 of The Tantalizing of a Scandalous Rake

Maybe.

He slid off her and she pushed up to sitting, ignoring the deflated sensation burning in her chest. Adam eased onto his knees and she furrowed her brow. “What are you—?”

He took her hand. “There can be many things between us, Rosie. Love for one.”

She opened her mouth then shut it.

“Marriage for two.”

Her heart gave a jolt. She’d never wanted marriage. Ever. To give over her independence to a man after she had worked so hard for it seemed folly. Yet when she thought of marriage to Adam, she could only picture herself thriving at his side.

“You would not wish to marry an innkeeper,” she managed to reply.

“I would and I do.”

“Your family would not like it.”

“My brothers already like you. As does Mary-Anne, and believe me, she’s about the most vocal member of the family.” He grinned. “My mother shall be shocked but not displeased that I am settling.”

“I cannot leave the inn. I cannot be a lady.”

“I would not wish you to.”

“And you cannot work at an inn. You’re a gentleman!”

“I hope I rather proved myself during my time here.”

She scrabbled for the rest of her arguments, but she could not find them. There had to be more. It could not be so easy. Nothing else had come this easily in her life. Love and a man she adored, a man who had become her friend? It was not possible.

“Rosie, you gave me purpose,” he said softly. “I did not know I sought it until I came to stay with you. I want nothing more than to work at your side for the rest of my days.”

“But…but…I’m the Beauty of Buttermere. You will….” She waved a hand. “You will get jealous of all the attention at some point.”

He fixed her with a look and his grin turned roguish. “We are both handsome. Should we not be handsome together?”

She sucked in a sharp breath and tried to clamp down on the smile flickering on her lips. “You are incorrigible.”

“And you are stubborn.”

“You said that already.”

“Well, because it’s especially true. Now will you cease arguing with me for once in your life?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Just for a brief moment?” he asked.

“I suppose.”

“Excellent.” He drew in an audible breath. “Rosie Seymour, I love you. You are the most beautiful, clever, witty and hardworking woman I have ever known. I should very much like to remain at your side, lifting your barrels and doing whatever else you would have me do for the rest of my life. I should like to do that as your husband.”

“Well, you could have started with that…” she murmured.

“Is that a yes?”

Unable to stop the smile from spreading across her face, she nodded slowly. She had no more arguments. No more reasons. She loved this man and could think of nothing she wanted more than the very picture he’d painted.

Looping her arms around his neck, she shifted closer. “It’s a yes,” she said. “I want that too. More than anything. You taught me how not to be alone and I should like you at my side once more.”

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