Page 43 of The Truth about the Viscount
“Is there something more?”
Daniel, realizing that he had been gazing at her without saying a word, nodded quickly.
“Yes, there is. It is to say that… well, I recognize that I – no, that is to say, Irecallthat I said you could – or I could – end the betrothal if you wished to be free to make your own choice.” Heat seared his very bones, making him shift about from foot to foot. “If Lord Newforth has given up and made his way to Bath and if Lady Winters now appears too ashamed by whatshehas done to make any trouble, then I cannot see any reason for our betrothal to continue if you do not wish it.”
A strange look came into Lady Patience’s eyes. They were sharp, searching through his expression bit by bit as though she could not understand what he had said. Her lips were pressed tight together, a pinprick of color in her otherwise pale cheeks.
And then, moisture filled them.
Fear raced up Daniel’s spine and into his heart.
“I did not mean to upset you, Patience!” Grasping both of her hands, he stepped closer, his words fervent. “Forgive me, I did not mean to upset you in theleast. The only thing I meant to suggest was that you might wish to be freed from me and that I am willing to give you that freedom if you desire it.”
“But I already told you.” Patience was blinking quickly now, a catch in her voice. “I told you during the first conversation we had about our prospective betrothal. I said that to enter into this betrothal was what I wanted, what I wished to do. I have never mentioned stepping back from it, that was onlyyourthought rather than mine.”
Daniel’s breathing grew a little quicker as he looked into her eyes, hating the tears that he saw there.
“I did not mean to bring you any sort of sorrow, Patience, truly. I do not want you to be upset by what I have said, I only wanted to be assured that this was truly what you wanted.”
Lady Patience’s lips curved for only a moment as she came all the closer, barely even an inch between them.
“Then be assured, Lord Hastings. To be wed to you is exactly what I want. In fact, I believe that I want it even more than I did when you first suggested it.”
I cannot take my eyes off her.
It was as if he could no longer breathe, the gentleness of her eyes, the curve of her lips, and the sweetness of her nearness wrapping around him, tugging him closer, urging him in all the more. Daniel blinked once, twice, and then began to lower his head, seeing her eyes fluttering closed.
This is exactly what I wanted.
Their kiss was light, soft, and filled with a tenderness that spoke of Daniel’s heart. It did not last overly long, but nor was it so short that it left him hungry for more. Instead, when he drew back, it was with wonder and contentment twining together through him, making him see that all he felt, all that was in his heart, spoke of a deep and growing affection that gave him the smallest taste of love.
“Patience?”
Daniel dropped Lady Patience’s hand and staggered back, just as the door opened and Lady Christina peeked in, glancing at him first before looking at her sister.
“Forgive me for the interruption, but the carriage is waiting.”
Her smile was knowing, and Daniel flushed hot, though he clasped his hands behind his back and kept his expression as nonchalant as he could.
“But of course. I was only telling your sister some news which was recently shared with me. Somegoodnews.”
Lady Patience, her eyes filled with stars, gazed back at him as her sister disappeared back through the door, expecting her to follow.
“Yes indeed, Lord Hastings. It was, I must say, very good indeed.”
Chapter Sixteen
Iam in love with him.
Patience lay back on the couch, one arm flung over her eyes as she let her thoughts wind around Lord Hastings and all that they had shared recently. These last ten days had brought her a flurry of emotion, every time that she had been in his company. When he had kissed her after the dinner last week, she had felt her heart fill with a fiery, new affection that had not let her go since that moment. Everything seemed to have become remarkably calm now, for the news that Lord Newforth had made his way to Bath had spread through London, and Lady Winters nor herdaughter had not been seen in London for some days. Patience’s betrothal to Lord Hastings appeared to have made all of their threats fade away and now, all that was left was happiness.
A quiet knock at the door interrupted Patience’s thoughts and, sitting up, she permitted entry to the footman. He came in directly and handed her a letter that had only just been delivered, and Patience broke the seal and unfolded it.
‘My dear Patience,’ she read.‘I am in such a fluster! Miss Spearton’s betrothal ball is this evening, and I have just torn my new gown! Will you come to the modiste’s with me to see ifshe has something else I might purchase that will not require much alteration?’
With a small sigh and shake of her head, Patience rose to her feet.
“Will you inform my sister that I have gone to see Lady Eleanor?” she said, as the footman nodded. “And have my maid ready herself at once, for I shall need to take a hackney.”
