Page 12 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
Isabelle’s head spun back in surprise, jaw agape as she stared at Cameron. “You do not care about this matter?”
“I do not. Even if your parents were not wed, I would still desire this match. If you are amenable, I will approach your brother and then follow you to Saunton to speak to your parents.”
“But … but … someone may find out about me. Your reputation might be ruined!”
Cameron rubbed his neck to ease his discomfort. Swiping a hand over his face, he sighed deeply. “I have never shared this with anyone.”
Isabelle gazed at him quizzically. Proposing was daunting enough. Now he was forced to share the darkest secret in his soul, which he was ill-prepared to do. How did one speak of a matter after so many years of pretending the situation did not exist?
Isabelle just bared her darkest secret to you.It is your turn to demonstrate your respect for the young lady and humble yourself in the same manner.
“I do not resemble anyone in the Bolton family, although no one ever spoke of it.” Cameron halted, seeking the words to explain the situation that had never been discussed. When he had his own family, he would make certain that communication was a fundamental component of their relationships because he would never wish to have a wife or children experience the isolation that had accompanied him his entire life because of the subjects that were strictly forbidden.
Isabelle’s parents had clearly discussed the matter of her parentage with her in a loving manner, as evidenced by their current conversation. He wished his own parents had aired the topic with him, instead of the repressed silence that had haunted their home.
“My mother had an affair. The whole family pretended I was my father’s son, but it was patently obvious that I did not … match. In fact, I look eerily similar to the family butler, who now serves my mother in her dowager household. For years, I felt like an outsider—I did anything I could to appease the baron, who never complained. Nor was he cruel, but his disappointment was ever palpable. I have never truly felt that I belonged anywhere. Cambridge was something of an escape, but even there I felt like an impostor—the baron’s apparent son, who was far more likely the son of a servant. But as we have never spoken of it … hell … it could be all in my imagination. So, you see, I do understand your position.”
Isabelle stared at him before rushing into his arms to embrace him tightly against her, arms wrapping around his neck. “Oh, Cameron, I am so sorry. You—you will always belong with me!”
Cameron tucked his head over hers to breathe in the floral apple fragrance of her silky hair. “I know. For the first time in my life, I feel truly engaged with another person. I … I love you, Isabelle.”
A small sob escaped the lips pressed into the crook of his neck, and he felt her smile as he banded his arms around her to pull her even closer.
“And I love you, Cameron.”
Her words melted him to the core. It was the first time in his entire life that anyone had voiced the sentiment to him, and he found himself blinking back inexplicable moisture in his eyes. He had finally found his home, here in Isabelle’s arms, and he looked forward to building a bright future with her.
Isabelle mumbled into his collar.
“What is that?”
She pulled back slightly to repeat her statement. “I would very much like to provide my permission to seek out the earl and ask his permission to speak with me about marriage.”
Cameron chuckled. “We have conducted a rather complicated courtship, have we not?”
“I would not have it any other way.”
She reached up on tiptoes to press her soft lips to his. Passion ignited across his body as he pulled her back in his arms to ardently kiss her sweet mouth, a vision of their forthcoming wedding night in his mind as he pressed her womanly shape against his hardening body.
With Isabelle at his side, he would have everything he had ever dreamed of since he was a small lad and had realized something was not right in his household.
But that was the dismal past, while the future now beckoned with open arms. He was so utterly grateful that Ridley had found him that night on St. James’s Street. Being reunited with Isabelle was his very own Christmas miracle.
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