Page 62 of The Miracle of Love
“They are no better than any of us. In fact, they are likely worse. Most of these noblemen gained their wealth and power by unsavory means. Wars, political alliances, chopping heads and killing those whose mere existence might weaken their stranglehold on power. This included killing women and children.”
“It is obvious Lockbridge saw me as a mere alliance and had no qualms about ending it when he saw no profit in it. But Deklan, what do you see when you look at me?”
He smiled. “Is this a test of my senses?”
“No, it is more of a test of mine. I have read the book and gained some knowledge from it, but there is much I still do not know. You are a leopard so your sense of sight is quite keen, as are all your other senses. Keen hearing. Keen sense of smell. I’m not sure how to explain touch and taste, but you obviously satisfied those senses when you caught me after I had just washed my hair.” Her cheeks were now a bright pink as she blushed. “I am still reeling from that encounter.”
“In a nice way, I hope.”
She nodded.
“Me, too. I mean it, Grace. I am better at hiding my feelings than you are, but I do have them, especially when it comes to you.”
He glanced at the book and then back at her. “Getting the sense of a person does not mean merely taking in their appearance, or the sound of their voice, their scent, and so on. I think this book does not place sufficient importance on something I would call a sixth sense.”
She regarded him, intrigued. “What is that?”
“I would call it the sense of character. The author does talk about it, but not until well into the book and jumbled in with talk of expectations and compromise. But there should be no compromise on character. I think discussion of it deserves to be up front.”
She was smiling as she listened to him.
“Let’s use me as an example, Grace. Knowing someone’s face and body is but one small aspect of what my brain takes in. Yes, the five senses are important, but there are still many women who will pass this hurdle and please all my senses. So how do I narrow my choice down further?”
Her eyes widened as she waited for his explanation.
She had the prettiest eyes.
One could easily drown in their green depths.
“When I look at someone,” he continued, “I must analyze not only their appearance but their nature. Do they have strength of character? Or do they lack it? What does their stance reveal? Are they open and relaxed? Or tense and closed in? Do their eyes constantly dart about? What do their facial expressions reveal, especially when they think no one is paying attention to them?”
“But you are sensitive to these clues because you are trained to look beyond someone’s facade.”
“It is more a question of awareness than training. Certainly someone as smart and compassionate as you would pick up on this immediately. Do you ever look at a person and watch how they respond to others? Or to a particular situation? This is how I decipher a person’s character, and it is something I rank higher in importance than a pleasing countenance. Are they petty? Selfish? Cruel? Inconsiderate of others? Dishonest? Reckless? Indecisive? Lazy?”
He rocked back in his chair and grinned. “Do you still want me to tell you what I see when I look at you?”
She nodded. “More than ever. I prefer your interpretation because it goes to the heart of who a person truly is. Do they go through their day cheerful and smiling? Or do they wake up surly and looking for reasons to complain?”
“Yes, this is it. Will their essential character bring sunshine into your life or perpetual dark clouds? I think even the most cynical of us would avoid someone who brings dark clouds to the marriage.”
“And you? What do you want?”
He chuckled. “I may look at the world with a cynical eye, but why would I want my wife to be like me? I think most men want a woman who can bring sunshine into their lives. To a man, his home is his sanctuary. We have enough battles to fight while out in the world. Who wants to be battling at home, too?”
“I wish I was as discerning as you.”
“You will be in time. Well, these are just my opinions. But I have also learned an important lesson, and that is not to overly value the five senses.”
“Well, they are important. Just not all that matters.”
“While you may not have been aware of what goes into making a decision about a person, you were closer to the mark than I was about finding the right spouse. You say you will only marry for love, but I think this means you are looking to marry someone who will make you happy, who will support you and be strong in the ways you need him to be. I would also add one more element to that. The right person will also bring out the strengths in you.”
She cast him an endearing smile. “Oh, please go on. I am finding our discussion fascinating and I’m learning so much. Deklan, what do you see as failings in me? It is important for me to know. How am I to improve myself if I remain unaware of them?”
“Your failings?” He remained quiet a long moment. “The truth,” he said softly, shaking his head and emitting a snort of laughter. “Do not fret, Grace. I am laughing at myself, not you.”
“Why are you laughing at all?”
