Page 36 of The Duke's Gamble
Lady Florentina let out a small sigh and then smiled, though it was a little wry. “You speak a little too poorly of yourself, Dartmoor. Youhavealtered your character of late, I think. You have a kindness, a tenderness about you which was not therebefore. You seemed to think of only your own interests and considerations, rather than anyone else’s. However, these last few weeks, I have seen a desire to change entirely and that is an excellent thing to see.” Her lips quirked. “It may be that you are more desirable than you think.”
This compliment sent a flush right up into Samuel’s cheeks, making him cough with a small sense of embarrassment as he looked away. Lady Florentina laughed softly and Samuel could not help but grin, making the seriousness of the moment evaporate into something else entirely.
“I am glad that you told me. That in itself speaks of your consideration.” Lady Florentina set her other hand atop their joined ones and Samuel’s heart filled with delight over her nearness to him. “Youhavechanged, Dartmoor and I am glad of it.”
Samuel licked his lips, aware that, while he had been granted a few moments alone in the townhouse garden with her, it was under the belief that he only wished to speak. But that was far from his true desire. No, he wanted to press his lips to hers, to pull her close, and prove that his feelings had changed. There was no longer any frustration, doubt, or confusion. Instead, he felt a growing and extraordinary affection for her, as if he had only just realised what others had seen all along. She was a treasure, the most wonderful woman Samuel had ever known. And now, to know that she would be his wife… it was so overwhelming, his breath caught in his throat.
“What is it?” Hearing that catch of breath, Lady Florentina’s eyes widened and Samuel looked away quickly, not quite sure what it was he could say. “Is there something more that you need to tell me?”
Samuel turned his head and looked back at her, taking her in. She was searching his eyes with her own, a delicate pink in her cheeks and such a beauty about her, he could barely breathe.
Tell her of your heart,said a whisper within him.Do not hold back. Tell her the truth.
Reaching up with his free hand, Samuel let his fingers trace lightly down her cheek, aware of the effect such a simple touch had on his own heart. “Yes, there is something more that I need to tell you,” he said honestly. “It is this: my heart holds affection for you, Florentina. It is not something that I ever expected to feel, but it is there within me, nonetheless. My friends—or my former friends—have told me just how wonderful you are and how little I valued you. I always pushed their remarks aside… until now.”
Lady Florentina’s fingers tightened on his.
“I do think that you are the most wonderful, the most remarkable and the most admirable young lady I have ever met.” Smiling, Samuel let his hand drop back to his lap, his fingers still burned from the touch. “That is the truth, Florentina, though whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you. But I am glad to speak of it, for it brings my heart great joy to do so.”
Lady Florentina was blinking furiously, though quite why she was doing so, Samuel did not know. It was only when she pulled one hand away and dashed it across her eyes that he realised she was crying.
His stomach dropped. “Forgive me, perhaps I ought not to have spoken as openly as I did. I do not want to cause you any pain and—”
“And you have not.” Lady Florentina smiled, interrupting him with a smile as she spoke. “My eyes are filled withjoyoustears, Dartmoor, because I can hardly believe that you are speaking so!”
“Then… then you believe me?”
She nodded, the smile on her face brighter and more beautiful than he had ever seen before. Samuel closed his eyes, relief flooding him as the urge to pull her into his arms grew allthe stronger. He let out a slow breath, then opened his eyes—only to see her leaning closer, the very same desire flickering in her gaze.
They had shared a kiss once before, but it had only been a moment, a breath and nothing more. This time, Samuel did not hesitate, did not pull back from her as he had thought to do before. When their lips met, he lingered, one hand now on the back of her head, the other on her shoulder, then running down her arm to take her hand. Lady Florentina sighed into the kiss, softening under his embrace and leaning into him, letting him know that she was just as eager for this moment as he was.
And what a wonderful, healing, and joyous moment their kiss was.
Chapter Fifteen
I am sure that I love him.
“The Duke?”
Florentina started as her sister touched her arm. “I beg your pardon?”
“You are in love with the Duke, yes?”
The shock which rippled across her chest was so great, that Florentina did not know what to say. Christina laughed softly and slipped her hand through Florentina’s arm. “You are aware that you whispered that under your breath, are you not? Though, I must say, I am not in the least bit surprised to hear it.”
“I… I do not know…” Florentina shook her head. “The truth is, Christina, I am trying to make sense of all that stirs within my heart. I never expected to feel such a way about the gentleman and yet, I do.”
“Which is quite wonderful,” Christina answered as they began to promenade around the Duke’s ballroom together. “I am glad to hear it, for I think that you deserve a husband who will dote upon you and I certainly did not imagine that the Duke of Dartmoor would be such a fellow!”
“Neither did I,” Florentina answered, with a chuckle, “though now, it seems, he has quite altered.”
“And you believe him? You trust that there is not some ploy behind it all?”
Florentina hesitated, then shook her head. “No, I do not think that he is at all pretending, If that is what you mean. Indeed, I asked him about why he wished to keep our engagement a secret before this evening, and he said that had been very foolish.”
Christina’s eyes flared. “And you did not inquire as to why he had insisted upon it?”
“No, I did not.” Florentina shrugged. “I saw no purpose in doing so. It would speak of his past, and the gentleman he once was, rather than the gentleman he now strives to be. So yes, Christina, I do trust him when he speaks of his heart, for I believe he has entirely changed.”
