Page 86 of The Captive Duke
“Ill-advised?” He did not like that term. He very much liked her lack of regret.
“Imprudent. Below stairs, there will be talk.”
“I was ill,” he said. “Were you to allow me to die or to suffer mortal agonies when you are the logical source of care for me?”
“Why me?”
“You are a widow, and you nursed your ailing husband for weeks before he succumbed. You were here when Evan fell ill. Who else would know as much as you about caring for an invalid?”
She closed her eyes, as if seeking patience. “I must return to my room.”
Retreat, which suggested he’d routed her, albeit temporarily. “In a moment.”
He kissed her, tasting surprise, curiosity, and capitulation in her return fire. Time to put his guns down, or at least pause to reload.
“I have surprised you with my proposal,” he said, his forehead leaning on hers. He’d surprised her with his ardor, and she’d more than surprised him. “I’m sorryyou feel ambushed. Badly done of me. I want to marry you, Gilly, but you have a point: we’ve some matters to sort out that rather take precedence over setting a date.”
“I havenotsaid—”
He kissed her again, but she was on to his tricks and merely endured the visit of his mouth upon hers.
“You needn’tsay. Greendale was an awful old curmudgeon, I understand that. So you take your time, look me over thoroughly. Count my teeth, put me through my paces.”
Her hand smoothed his hair back. “You’re not a horse.”
“I’m a horse’s arse. You were harried into marriage once before, and that ended badly. Am I right?”
She shifted so her forehead rested on his shoulder, and Christian scooted in closer, as if he’d protect her from her own past.
“Yes. Too right. One day I was memorizing my fifth declension nouns, and the next, my mama was taking me shopping for a trousseau. When I met Greendale, I had to excuse myself with a megrim so I could sit in the carriage and cry all the way home. He was on his best, most jovial behavior when courting me. He did not improve with time.”
“I will. I’ll bring you more puppies, I’ll read poetry to you, even that stupid Blake, and I’ll—”
She lifted away, but the fight had gone out of her. “Groveling becomes you ill, Mercia.”
“I’ve amused you. Your smile is worth the affront tomy dignity.” What little dignity he still had. Christian traced her hair back from her face. “You won’t run off? Somebody means you harm, my dear. I would much rather you stay here and castigate me for my impetuous ardor. If you leave…”
He’d come after her and fetch her home. He didn’t say that, because it smacked of taking her captive, which he could not do.
“I care for you,” she said, the words a grudging admission. “I did not choose my first husband well, and in that you’re right. I will not be rushed into marriage again.”
He waited, because she wasn’t finished, and because talking like this was something he and Helene had never learned to do, a realization that in itself gave him regret and…hope.
“I’m sorry. I did not mean to rush you.” He’d meant to marry her, though, and still did.
“I also…” She gathered her dressing gown at the throat and glanced over at the window, where another lovely summer day was gaining its wings. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“Ofme? I’m a duke, I’m wealthy, I’m twenty-seventh in line for the damned throne, I’m—”
She put soft, rose-scented fingers to his lips, the ghost of a smile playing around her mouth.
“So modest, Mercia.” The smile faded, and her hand cradled his jaw. “You are grieving so much, healing from so much, and your instinct to protect overwhelms yoursense. I will remain at Severn, and we will talk later of marriage.”
She urged him against her so he could pillow his cheek on the silk covering her thigh. Yes, his protective instincts had overwhelmed his sense, and so they would continue to do until he’d identified her malefactor.
As her hands settled in his hair, another insight struck: Gilly’s protective instincts had overwhelmedhertoo, and when Christian had those instincts of hers settled down, he’d make the lady his next duchess.
Gilly had spent the night in Christian’s bed and slept wonderfully, despite the events of the previous day, and now she was…
