Page 31 of A Duke for Adela
“All right, it is for you as well. But mostly, I am doing this for me. Or better said, for the two of us. Why are you so resistant to the idea of marrying me?”
“I’m not at all. My concern is for you. How are you helped in all this? You must think this through more seriously than you are doing now. What is the advantage to you?”
“Marrying a woman with beauty, brains, and who will never lie to me…I think that is quite a good advantage.”
“You think I am beautiful?”
His lips curved in a rakish smile. “Yes, Adela. You are.”
He studied her, appearing to be done with kissing her for the moment. Well, these kisses had served their purpose.
She was convinced.
She had to marry him.
Who else could ever kiss her this way?
“I think you are the handsomest man in all of England. Will you be angry with me if I think on it overnight and give you my answer in the morning?”
Her reluctance was for his sake, not hers.
“No, Adela. I will not be angry. You would not beyouif you leaped at my proposal merely because I am a duke.”
Her arms were still circled around his neck, and she now rested her head against his shoulder. “I liked our first kiss. And our second. Well, I liked our entire string of kisses.”
“So did I.”
“Do you mean it?”
“Yes, Adela.”
“Did these count for passionate kisses?”
“They were a very good start. It may take a little while to turn you into an insatiable nymph.”
“Oh,” she groaned. “This is what that horrid rag implied I was.”
He tightened his protective hold on her. “Adela, all will be fine once you are my wife. And I do not mind if you are hot and wanton in my bed. I would be happy to have a wife who desired my touch. You are worried that I am making too big a sacrifice for you, but I assure you, it is no sacrifice for me at all.”
He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “What do you think my life would be like if I were married to atondiamond like Felicity Rose? Hellish, for certain. As for you, it is not merely about our suitability in bed. I know we will enjoy each other. But you would bring far more into our marriage. Intelligence. Honesty. Friendship. Trust. Support. Loyalty, for I know you will never break your marriage vows.”
She inhaled sharply and looked up at him, distress clouding her eyes. “What about you? Will you be faithful to me?”
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?” Her heart was in an uproar, for she had not considered this distressing possibility before. “This is important and I need you to answer truthfully.”
“Yes, Adela. I give you my word of honor. It is no chore for me to give up the supposed freedom of a bachelor life. I know what is out there, probably sampled more than I should have. I am not going to stray. But I have a question in turn for you. Would you be willing to share my bed?”
“Do you want me to?”
He nodded. “Yes, I will enjoy falling asleep with you in my arms.”
“Dear heaven, I must be dreaming. I would like that, too.” He was addling her senses, and she was more certain than ever she needed to think things through before giving him an answer. Of course, she wanted him desperately, but she never expected him to jump into this marriage idea so eagerly or agree to fidelity and truly living as husband and wife without a moment’s hesitation.
“Adela, you are fretting again.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her on the lips once more, this time softly. “Do you still wish to sleep on it before giving me your answer?”
She nodded.
