Page 94 of The Untamed Duke
“If he is, it is of no matter. By now, he knows I am the one covering the expenses. It won’t be that unexpected that I’ve come to check the rebuilding progress.”
Grace shifted until she faced him. “I don’t want to go to Beaumont. I don’t want to dance and make polite small talk with men I’ve no interest in. I want to stay with you.”
Her chin lifted, a gesture of defiance. It was adorable, and Nicholas loved it. He kissed the heartshaped point of her chin, then nibbled it until she giggled.
And then, because he was so in love with this infuriating creature he could barely rationalize it, because he worshipped her more than anything else on God’s green planet, and because there was no occasion for his abrupt declaration other than the fact they were cozy in their bed, watching the flames of the fire dance merrily in the hearth, and her heart fluttered like a bird’s wing against his chest, Nicholas revealed his soul.
“I’ve no wish for you to be anywhere without me, honeybee, and I particularly have no wish for any man to engage in any manner with you, polite or otherwise. But I fear Sebastian might burst a blood vessel if we appear on his doorstep together, and I would very much like to do this properly. After all, we will be spending the rest of our lives together, and I would hate having him as a disgruntled relative.”
Grace froze, her heart evident in the golden-brown depths as she gazed up at him. “You never do the proper thing, Nicholas. What are you talking about?”
“Well, this is one occasion I will. I will ask your cousin for your hand in marriage, of course. And explain the shortcomings of my father and my own stubborn nature in keeping secrets for so long from my best friend.” Nicholas’s voice was soft but unwavering. He tangled a hand in the silk of Grace’s hair, gently tugging her head back so he could look deeply into her eyes.
“Nicholas, I am content being whatever you wish me to be. Your mistress...your lover...your friend—”
“I will have you as my wife, Grace Willsdown. And as my lover. My friend. My mistress in our bedroom… Do you understand?”
“No... I don’t understand. You said you would never wed, but now...are you sure?” she asked softly.
Nicholas winced. He'd hurt her so very badly, she could not trust the words when he said he cared for her. He must do more in convincing her. Taking a deep breath, he gave up the shield surrounding his heart. And when he let go of that burdensome object, it was amazing. As if he’d suddenly stepped into sunlight after centuries of darkness. Grace’s sunlight. Blindingly bright and smelling of lemons and heather. Of rainstorms and hay.
His Grace.
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I'm tired of sharing you with the rest of the world. You belong to me, and every day apart from you is a day wasted." He gave a helpless laugh. "There is a hole inside me. An emptiness only you can fill."
"Perhaps you are merely hungry," Grace replied with her typical pragmatism.
"I am hungry," Nicholas agreed, his mouth set in a firm line. "For you. Your smile. Your laughter. Your touch, your kiss. Everything that makes you what you are, I crave it constantly. Goddamn it. I even want watercress sandwiches. You've bewitched me. I cannot settle for bits and pieces of you. Having you in tiny increments of time. Away in the shadows. Not anymore. I want all of you. I want everyone to know you are mine and I am yours.”
His mouth swooped down, covering hers, and Nicholas knew beyond any doubt Grace was the sweetest, finest thing he 'd ever tasted. "I'll never get enough of you,” he muttered between kisses.
When he finally leaned away, tears sparkled in her eyes even as she smiled somewhat sadly. Cradling her face in his hands, his lips swallowed up a salty drop before it could slide down her cheek.
"Do not cry,” he ordered, helplessly. “You are in my blood, beneath my skin, deep in my very bones.” Nicholas kissed her again and again, now almost frantic in confessing the depths of his love. "I cannot survive without you.”
“Nicholas,” Grace choked. “I beg you. Do not play games with me…”
“Grace. I love you. Only you.” Nicholas rolled into his back, pulling her along so she sprawled across his chest. “Tell me I have your heart, love. Tell me you belong to me. Tell me that no matter how cruel I am, no matter the ugly, hurtful things I’ve said and done, you forgive me. I can be the man you deserve. The man you need. As long as you trust me and love me, I can be that man. After all I have done to you, I do not deserve it, but for God's sake, tell me it is not too late. Tell me you..." His breath caught; he steadied himself. "Tell me you still love me. Promise you will never stop loving me.”
With a small cry, Grace pressed her mouth to his, kissing him with a fierce wildness that shook Nicholas to his core.
"I was always yours,” she said, breaking off the kiss. “When you took my hand in that gazebo, I was yours. Every moment from that first moment, I've loved you with every thread of my soul, with all that I am. I’ve fought for you, and I will always fight for you. And I will love you until the day my heart stops beating. Even then, I will love you from beyond the heavens. I am your Grace, and you are mine.”
Chapter 38
Beauty unraveled
A heartbeat at a time
I unravel too
Surrender
To her
I’ll never be the same.
I am hers.
