Page 88 of The Lady Was Lying
“Always,” she responded, before stiffening. “I mean…”
“I’m sorry.” Had she been disappointed when he had agreed to ride with her brother? “I should have ridden in the carriage with you yesterday.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she grumbled, keeping her face hidden against his chest. “I enjoy Violet’s company.”
“Belinda.”
“It was fine.”
It was obviously not fine. “I’m sorry,” he repeated. “I didn’t mean to abandon you. I don’t know Edward very well. Haven’t interacted with him much beyond cursory greetings, so when he suggested we ride, I agreed without considering your feelings on the matter.”
“I want you to get along with my brother.”
“But you also want me in the carriage with you.”
She grumbled something against his chest, her words indecipherable.
“I have no idea what you’re mumbling about,” he said when she finally fell silent.
She picked up her head. “I am an independent woman. I do not want to be needy.”
“Wanting to travel together does not make you needy.”
“It does.” She sighed. “It seems as if my happiness has become intricately tied to you.”
“Belinda, darling.” He gently stroked her hair. “We are to be married. I would be most disappointed if you did not want to share your time and your happiness with me.”
“Yes, but?—”
“I am happiest when I am with you too.”
Her chin dropped onto his chest, and she tipped her head forward to press a kiss against his warm skin. “When we are together, I believe in the future we can create. I trust that you want me. And that I want you. But yesterday, when it was just Violet and I, doubt tried to creep in. The feelings between us are so new that it isn’t easy for me to trust them.”
“Is it easier when we are here like this?”
“Of course.” She pressed another kiss to his chest. “We cannot remain in bed together all the time.”
“But we can be together. In the carriage. On horseback. When we dine.” Whatever she needed to feel secure, he wanted to give her.
“I don’t want to be difficult.”
“I kidnapped you so I could keep you forever. If either of us is difficult, it’s clearly me.”
“Forever,” she echoed. “Does that mean…do you think…you could love me?”
In all the words he had said to her since he had stolen her off the street, how had he never mentioned love? How had he never even thought about it?
“I already do.” The words slipped out, newly realized and not nearly as profound as she deserved.
Her eyes widened. “You?—”
“I love you. I love when you are brazen and when you are shy. I love when you are confident and when you are uncertain. I?—”
Her fingers covered his mouth. “Stop.”
The flow of words stopped at the same time as his heart.
“You don’t have to tell me the reasons. At least not now. I can’t handle any more words.” Surging upward, she replaced her fingers with her mouth. “I love you too,” she murmured between soft, featherlight kisses.
