Page 43 of The Lord Next Door I Wished For
That was all the warning she had before he hoisted her into his arms. His eyes gleamed with affection and warmth as he gazed down at her. “There, now…exactly where I wanted you.”
She toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck, her heart brimming over with love for this man who had so many facets. “This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?”
He arched a brow, his expression so smug she burst out laughing. Then he did too as he strode out into the rainy night, taking his time as he carried her toward the party. “I can take you home instead, if you’d prefer.” His gaze turned serious. “I know you do not enjoy such things—”
“But these sort of events will be a part of being marchioness,” she interrupted. “And do you know…I was quite enjoying myself before that awful moment when I overheard you saying—”
He dipped his head and kissed her. “I’m glad that happened. Who knows how long we would have gone on, each afraid to admit how we feel?”
“True,” she said. “But my point is, I’ve discovered I can even enjoy high society soirees…if you’re at my side.”
His gaze grew so warm she forgot all about the rain and the wind.
“Then I will just have to make sure I never leave your side.”
“Never,” she echoed in a whisper.
Luke snuck them in through a back entrance, and quickly sent word to have a maid waiting for her and his valet at the ready. He left her in his mother’s room with a promise to return as soon as possible.
By the time he came back, the maid had ingenuously fixed her hair and her gown was nearly dry thanks to the fire that had rapidly been started in the fireplace.
She and the maid were trying to figure out just how bad the damage was to her slippers when Luke appeared in the doorway. “Perhaps you should just go barefoot.”
The maid gasped but Jane grinned. He’d sounded so serious but she knew now when he was merely teasing. “Perhaps.” She pretended to think it over. “Start as I mean to go on, right?”
“Precisely,” he said, crossing the room to her as his gaze took her in with obvious relish. “If you want to be known as that wild, wanton marchioness, I have no problem with that.”
She laughed as the maid hurried out. “Truly?”
He pulled her into his arms. “I just want you to be happy, my love.”
She studied him for a long moment. “What about you?”
He tightened his grip. “I already have everything I need to be happy.” He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and then the tip of her nose. “I never thought of this place as a home before. But I realize now that I can live anywhere, have any title…and I will always know precisely who I am and where I belong so long as I have you at my side. You make me feel like I belong, like I fit, like I...” He shrugged, clearly at a loss for words. “Like you are my home.”
“I keep you grounded,” she said slowly as she realized what he was saying, and how right it was. How perfect. “And you…” She rested her weight against him, loving the tender way he held her…like she was someone to cherish. “You set me free. I never needed the horses to carry me away or the independent life out in the country…”
He stroked her cheek in the firelight as she gave him a smile that wobbled as emotions gripped her.
“You give me that freedom I sought every time you look at me and see me, every time you love me for who I am.”
“I’m so sorry you were ever lonely, my darling,” he murmured. “But I am forever grateful that you snuck out of your school to find me.”
For a long moment they gazed into each other’s eyes with wonder and awe at the perfection of it all.
A bell announced the meal was being served and it broke into their moment.
“We’ll be missed if we’re not at dinner,” she pointed out.
He moved away, but only far enough to proffer his arm. “Shall we join the others?”
She nodded, taking his arm.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” he asked as they approached the top of the stairs. “If you’d like a respite—”
“Luke.” She smiled up at him. “I can do this.” She tilted her head to the side. “When I’m at your side, there’s nothing I cannot do.”
His smile reached his eyes and made them darken with so much love it stole her breath. “I feel the same, love. And I cannot wait to start our future together.” He leaned down to kiss her softly.
