Page 137 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“Goodness.” Lucy eyed him. “But why not tell me this? All of this? If you needed to ensure Minerva was well, I would have understood.”

“I would also have had to tell you why, and we were all sworn to secrecy on this matter. My grandfather likely wanted to be sure we had no outside help.” He gave a wry smile.

“Oh.”

He chuckled. “It is a lot to understand, I know.”

“So…what happens now that you have told me?”

“Hopefully, nothing. I should have told you anyway. Mr. Barton is satisfied I’ve fulfilled my task. But you know me, Lucy, I have always abided by the rules.”

“I do know you.” She smiled. “And I love you.”

“God, Lucy, say it again.”

“I love you.”

He cupped her face, leaning down to press his forehead to hers. “I will never take you away from here, I promise. So long as you are here, this is my home. I know how much you need this house.”

“I need you more.” She wrapped her wet arms around his neck to get closer to him. “I would leave if you wished me to, you know. So long as it is with you.”

“Well, I will never ask it of you.”

She giggled. “You know, I thought you were intending to take me away from here and marry me off.”

He chuckled. “Well, I still wish to marry you. To me, that is.” He muttered a curse. “That was a terrible way of asking you to marry me.”

Warmth spread through her, and a grin she could not control burst across her face. “In truth?”

He nodded against her forehead. “In truth.”

“Yes,” she managed to whisper.

“Pardon?”

“Yes!” She unlooped her arms from him and splashed backward into the pond. “I said yes, yes, yes!”

Laughing, he stood and motioned for her to leave the pond. “We should get you inside.”

“You should join me.”

“Lucy…” There was a warning edge to his voice.

“I’d rather return to the house,” he said. “Shall I leave you?”

She stood, aware her chemise traced her curves and revealed almost everything—much like it had that first time he had arrived at Eastbrook. But this time, she was not embarrassed. Especially when she saw the way his gaze ran up and down her hungrily.

Lucy made her way toward him, she stopped at the edge of the pond, directly in front of him.

Theo’s gaze remained on her. She smiled at him again and extended an arm. “Come in with me. The water is not too cold.”

Theo bent, and with shaking fingers, removed his shoes and stockings. He removed the rest of his clothes until he was only in his shirt. He glanced around.

Lucy’s smile grew when she saw evidence of his arousal pressing against the fabric.

He cleared his throat. “Are you certain this is a good idea?” he asked.

“Positively,” she responded lightly, retreating back into the pond.

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